Opinion ID: 1286567
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: an order awarding temporary support may be modified retroactively at any time prior to or in conjunction with the entry of the divorce decree

Text: Title 43 O.S. Supp.1992 § 110 authorizes trial courts to issue various temporary orders, including orders for spousal support, after an action for divorce has been filed. Section 110 further provides: (B) Temporary orders may be vacated or modified before final decree on a showing by either party of facts necessary for vacation or modification. Temporary orders terminate when the final judgment on all issues, except attorney fees and costs, is rendered or when the action is dismissed. . . . Pursuant to this statute, a trial court may modify a temporary support order at any time before entry of a final decree. It is only after the final decree has been entered that a court loses authority to modify a temporary order. Therefore, consistent with § 110, a court may modify a temporary order in conjunction with the issuance of a final decree. This was the law in Oklahoma long before § 110(B) was enacted. The crux of § 110 was formerly contained in 12 O.S. § 1276. Section 1276 was renumbered to § 110 by Laws 1989, c. 333, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1989. However, § 1276 did not contain any reference as to when a divorce court could modify or vacate a temporary order. Notwithstanding, this Court held: Obligations created by interlocutory orders pendente lite do not survive, but merge in, the final judgment. Unlike accrued unpaid installments under a decree or some final order, an arrearage due under the terms of an interlocutory order may be modified or extinguished retroactively.... In short, the divorce decree operate[s] effectively to extinguish all preexisting rights of the parties arising out of their former marital status. Johnson v. Johnson, 674 P.2d 539, 543 (Okla. 1983) (footnotes omitted). At the outset of litigation in this case, the trial court entered an order awarding temporary support to the plaintiff. After considering the extensive evidence produced at trial, including evidence of plaintiff's lengthy career and annual earnings, the court determined that plaintiff had been monetarily able to support herself during the pendency of trial. The court held that plaintiff should not have been awarded temporary support and, consistent with § 110, retroactively modified the temporary order accordingly. [10] We find no abuse of discretion. See Brown v. Brown, 150 Okla. 217, 1 P.2d 167, 168 (1931).