Opinion ID: 1180999
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Interest on Prior Judgment

Text: In the prior proceeding, the mother had alleged that the father was $2,350 in arrears in child support payments and petitioned the court to find him in contempt. The trial court agreed and ordered the father to pay to the mother $25.00 a month, in addition to the original child support payments, until the arrearage was made up. Because the mother's petition in the prior proceeding sought a finding of contempt, the trial court had discretion under its equity powers to fashion the remedy it did. Corliss v. Corliss, 89 N.M. 235, 549 P.2d 1070 (1976). The trial court's order in the prior proceeding was filed May 26, 1977. The record shows no appeal from that order. In this proceeding, the mother alleged that the original judgment did not allow interest and should be accordingly modified. She did not raise the question of interest in that proceeding and did not appeal the decision. It cannot be raised at this late date.