Opinion ID: 1844622
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: continuing mortgage payments

Text: At the time of the modification hearing, the house had been placed on the market and had not been sold. Husband insisted upon Wife vacating the premises to facilitate the sale of the home. Husband filed a motion for a ruling on the mortgage payments pending sale. The trial court ordered that each party pay one-half of the monthly mortgage payment until the house was sold. Apparently, the house was sold for a loss shortly after commencement of this appeal. It is clear that under the original decree the circumstances requiring the house be sold had occurred. It is equally clear that unless the mortgage payments were made, the property could have been foreclosed upon preventing either party from receiving any possible gain on the sale of the home. Although the trial court was justified in requiring Husband and Wife to share these payments, the percentages should have reflected the percentage interest of each party in the asset (or liability). To require Husband to pay an additional twenty percent would be permissible only if such payments were part of Husband's continuing support obligation to Wife. The record is not clear on this point. Therefore, we remand to the trial court for reimbursement or adjustment, as necessary, on this issue. Wife has filed a petition requesting attorney's fees and costs in the amount of $2,794.20 under Malcolm. After considering the appropriate factors, including the property owned by each party, their respective incomes, and the liquidity of each party's assets, we award $1,500.00 to Wife. Cole v. Cole, 384 N.W.2d 312 (S.D.1986); Harvey v. Harvey, 383 N.W.2d 862 (S.D. 1986). AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED. WUEST, C.J., and MORGAN and MILLER, JJ., concur. HENDERSON, J., dissents.