Opinion ID: 1692664
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Judicial Lien.

Text: George contends the increase of the mortgage indebtedness on the marital home must be regarded as a sale of the home. Whether summary judgment was properly granted rests solely on the interpretation of the dissolution decree. In interpreting a decree, the determinative fact is the intention of the court as gathered from all parts of the decree. In determining this intent, we take the decree by its four corners and try to ascertain from it the intent as disclosed by the various provisions of the decree. In re Marriage of Springer, 538 N.W.2d 897, 902 (Iowa App.1995) (citation omitted). The dissolution decree provided George's lien became due and payable if one of four triggering events occurred. George contends it was the intention of the court that Linda be prohibited from increasing the debt on the marital home. We disagree. The court prohibited Linda from increasing the debt secured by the first mortgage on the property. The court did this to prevent Linda from making George's lien less secure. The dissolution decree clearly stated [Linda's] interest in [the marital home] is subject to a mortgage, she shall not increase the existing debt secured thereunder. Linda has taken no action that makes George's lien less secure. In fact, Linda has made George's lien more secure by paying off the first mortgage. His lien is now senior to any other obligation on the property. We affirm the court's summary judgment rulings.