Opinion ID: 2637540
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the nature of this postjudgment proceeding

Text: ¶ 7 This postjudgment proceeding in a divorce case was brought to ascertain the quantum of arrearage, i.e., adjudicated child support then due and owing, and to enforce the declared obligation's satisfaction. Father plead multiple defense theories, but appears to have later abandoned all but those tendered by the evidence adduced at trial [15] (a) laches and (b) an agreement-based reduction (or relinquishment) of a past-due, unpaid obligation. Laches is the only equitable defense implicated here. This is so because the latter defense, characterized by the parties and by the trial court as waiver, [16] is statutorily declared [17] and its effectiveness stands limited to matured and unpaid installments either reduced or relinquished by mutual agreement. [18] We need not globally address ourselves today to the continued invocability of laches as an equitable defense in arrearage enforcement proceedings. This is so because, on this record, we hold that it does not avail in this case. [19]