Opinion ID: 2168822
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issues

Text: The parties agree that section 600B.41A relieves Randy from any future support for Daniel following the date of the order overcoming paternity. They also agree that such an order must provide for satisfaction of previously unpaid support. The question is how to accomplish the latter task, required by section 600B.41A(4)(b), where, as here, the original order governed support for three children. Randy argues on appeal that fairness dictates a recalculation of the original child support award, and that the district court's failure to do so must be reversed. His argument rests on the theory that the 1993 order was entered under mistake of fact and never was designed to set a level of support for two children. The appellees counter that principles of res judicata preclude the recalculation Randy seeks. We agree. To prevail on a defense of res judicata, the party asserting the doctrine must prove four prerequisites: (1) the issue concluded must be identical; (2) the issue must have been raised and litigated in the prior action; (3) the issue must have been material and relevant to the disposition of the prior action; and (4) the determination made of the issue in the prior action must have been necessary and essential to the resulting judgment. In re Marriage of Van Veen, 545 N.W.2d 263, 266 (Iowa 1996). Clearly the support order before us meets these criteria. Notwithstanding Randy's assertions to the contrary, the 1993 order plainly establishes the support owing by Randy when there are only two children entitled to his support. Thus the issues, then and now, are identical. The question of support for two children, as well as for three, was not only litigated by these same parties in the former action but was material, relevant, necessary and essential to the former judgment. Randy's bald assertion that the provision for two children was merely dicta is entirely without merit. Nor are we persuaded by Randy's alternative argument that recalculation based on current child support guidelines is necessary to set the matter right based on the true state of affairs at the time of the 1993 decree. He claims that the guidelines amount for two children for a person earning his income during the pertinent period would be $277.91 per month, not $327 as the decree provides. Again, res judicata prevents the recalculation Randy seeks. And with good reason. The doctrine furnishes necessary finality to judicial decisions. In essence, Randy seeks a retroactive modification of the support order for Daniel's two siblings. The district court was without authority to grant such relief. See Van Veen, 545 N.W.2d at 266 (district court has no authority to divest parties of rights accrued under the original decree). Finally, we reject Randy's contention that the fairest result would be to prorate the support due under the 1993 order among the three children in accordance with this court's decision in State ex rel. Schuder v. Schuder, 578 N.W.2d 685 (Iowa 1998). Schuder involved a specific statutory scheme related to assignment of child support payments to the Iowa Department of Human Services when one child on a multi-child support order is placed in foster care. Schuder, 578 N.W.2d at 686. Precise language in the governing statute calls for an equal and proportionate division of the child support award for purposes of calculating the assignment. Id. at 687. The governing statute before us, Iowa Code section 600B.41A(4), contains no comparable language. Moreover, a prorata reduction would effectively reward the parent who delays in paying support or rectifying an erroneous paternity determination. The potential inequity of such a policy is amply demonstrated here. A one-third satisfaction of the $350 per month support award, as requested by Randy, would equal $116.66 per month, leaving unpaid past support for two children of only $233.34 per month, an amount less than the 1993 decreed amount of $239 for one child. In conclusion, we are convinced the order entered by the district court comports with the statutory requirement without violating principles of res judicata applicable to the child support judgment for Daniel or his two siblings. We therefore affirm the judgment of the district court. AFFIRMED. All justices concur except LAVORATO, J., who takes no part.