Court Opinion

ID: 9733629
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 17:12:12.180907+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:42.750681
License: Public Domain

SABERS, Justice
(concurring in part and concurring in result in part).
I concur except that:
I concur in result in Issue I to the effect that the court’s order did not impermissibly modify the property division. However, I can’t agree with the majority’s statement that “Donna acquired a vested right to the property settlement adjustment at the time the parties’ judgment of divorce was entered.”
I also concur in result in Issue II A, but conclude that it would have better for the trial court to include both her “commissions” and his “bonuses.”
HENDERSON, Justice
(concurring in part; dissenting in part).
CONCURRENCE IN PART
On Issues I, 11(B), III and IV, I concur.
DISSENTING IN PART
I dissent on Issue 11(A). The trial court mixed apples and oranges on the ex-wife’s commissions (in not considering them), holding that they were “offset” by health care for the children. In my opinion, commissions of hers and bonuses of his must be considered. This Court has addressed the “speculative” versus “consistent” overtime pay argument on many occasions. Tesch v. Tesch, 399 N.W.2d 880 (S.D.1987); Fossum v. Fossum, 374 N.W.2d 100 *493(S.D.1985); Cole v. Cole, 384 N.W.2d 312 (S.D.1986). Although our case law indicates the displeasure with the practice of basing child support amounts upon anticipated salary increases, this Court has stated that “consistent” overtime pay may be included in the child support calculation. Teseh, supra. Simply because her company was going through reorganization, a court should not speculate that there would be no commissions. Rather, both her and his overall history of commissions and bonuses would be a more stable criteria. Concerning commissions, the trial court said: “I usually don’t count it.” This is tenuous rationale. See, Hautala v. Hautala, 417 N.W.2d 879 (S.D.1988) reflecting that there should be a broad interpretation of income.
Donna Sjomeling testified that her employer was reorganizing his business and it was doubtful whether she would be earning commissions after the reorganization. This testimony was obviously not a statement of fact and mere conjecture. As plaintiff in the trial court action, she carried the burden of proof. Frank Stinson Chevrolet, Inc. v. Connelly, 356 N.W.2d 480 (S.D.1984); 29 Am.Jur.2d, Evidence, § 127.
I would reverse and remand on this issue directing the trial court to use his and her overall history of commissions and bonuses as criteria for its decision.