Court Opinion

ID: 9628398
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 09:19:11.330326+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:07:05.179612
License: Public Domain

SHEPARD, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
I agree with the majority’s characterization of the facts in this matter. As *695noted by the majority, this cause has been before this Court in Ratkowski v. Ratkowski, 108 Idaho 855, 699 R2d 1369 (1985). There, this Court upheld the trial court’s ruling that Mr. Ratkowski was in contempt for failure to pay his former wife the sum of $325.00 per month. In the instant case however, the issue is different than in Rat-kowski I, supra. Here, the sole issue is the ability of the trial court to order payment directly from the United States under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 1408(1) (Former Spouses Protection Act).
As well noted in the majority, at the time of the divorce proceeding in 1979, the then husband and wife entered into an agreement that the wife released any community interest in the husband’s military retirement benefits. In consideration therefore, the then husband agreed to pay a certain sum on a monthly basis. Hence, the instant case presents no issue of child support, nor alimony, and in my opinion is not within the purview of 10 U.S.C. 1408(1). Rather, Mrs. Ratkowski occupies no position except that of a judgment creditor who clearly cannot execute upon a federal military retirement benefit. Nor, in my opinion may a trial court, nor this Court, after a ten-year lapse of time, amend or change a judgment and alter the status of Mrs. Rat-kowski from that of judgment creditor to that of a recipient of alimony.
As well noted in the majority opinion, the Idaho decisions are clear that without an appeal from an original decree of divorce, the property division portions of that decree are final, res judicata, and no jurisdiction exists to modify. I further agree that as noted in the majority opinion: “Clearly, the divorce court had jurisdiction to enforce the terms of its own decree.” But nevertheless, the order entered was nothing more than an order of garnishment issued to enforce collection of an amount of money pursuant to a money judgment. Since it was nothing more than a money judgment, the court only had jurisdiction to issue execution on whatever assets of the defendant, wherever they might be found, save and except the military retirement benefits to be paid by the United States. As to those military retirement benefits, they are exempt from execution by the ordinary judgment creditor. In this case Mrs. Ratkowski holds no status other than that of the ordinary judgment creditor.
In the instant case, although the result is unfair, and palpably unjust, nevertheless I feel it mandated by the insulation afforded by the federal statutes.