Opinion ID: 1808724
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: substantial and material changes have taken place in the lives of the parties since the decree of divorce in regard to the welfare of the children

Text: Although Mr. Andersen had kept the same home and residence for a period of approximately two years after the divorce, at the time of the modification hearing, he was planning to marry a woman who had custody of two children of her own and intended to move to a different town. Mr. Andersen would like to brush these changes aside as inconsequential, but the intent of the law requires that they be considered in light of the best interests and welfare of the children whom the laws were designed to protect. See: Flint v. Flint, 334 N.W.2d 680, 681 (S.D.1983); Haak v. Haak, 323 N.W.2d 128, 130 (S.D. 1982). In the eyes of a child, especially a four-year old and a six-year old, acquiring a new step-mother with a step-sister and a step-brother, moving to a different town, and leaving friends and playmates behind are all substantial and material events that affect their welfare. Since her divorce, Mrs. Koenders has remarried, settled into a new home, and has performed in an outstanding manner in a responsible, professional job. Mrs. Koenders has cured all the deficiencies which caused the trial court to find that she was not ready to have custody of her children at the time of the divorce.