Court Opinion

ID: 9884651
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-06 03:05:10.138341+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:48:40.083186
License: Public Domain

OPINION
KALITOWSKI, Judge.
Appellant Kathleen Anne Joneja commenced this action to modify the original dissolution decree seeking an increase in child support and spousal maintenance. In addition, appellant sought a reapportionment of the tax dependency exemptions and the homestead lien interest. Appellant was granted an increase in child support, but was denied all other requested modifications. This appeal follows.
FACTS
The parties were married December 29, 1972, and separated in the fall of 1978. On July 6, 1981, the parties, represented by counsel entered into a stipulation regarding the dissolution of their marriage. A judgment and decree incorporating their stipulation was entered on November 10, 1981. *308Pursuant to the stipulation, appellant has primary physical custody of the parties’ two minor daughters, Tina Joy Joneja, age 14, and Kim Alan Joneja, age 11. In addition to awarding custody, the judgment and decree provided respondent pay $2,400.00 each month to appellant for spousal maintenance and $600.00 each month for child support.
The parties agree respondent has enjoyed significant increases in his income. In 1973 respondent’s gross annual income was $12,783.00. In 1978 respondent’s gross income had risen to $61,684.00. At the time dissolution judgment was entered respondent’s income was $139,000 per year. Currently, respondent’s earnings exceed $330,000.00 per year.
Prior to and during the marriage, appellant was employed as a music instructor. Appellant has a Bachelor’s Degree in voice with a minor in piano. In addition, appellant has received advanced voice instruction in Salzberg, Austria, and Frankfort, Germany.
In December 1986, appellant brought a motion to modify the judgment and decree in several respects including increasing spousal maintenance and child support obligations, modifying respondent’s lien interest in the parties’ homestead and reapportioning the dependency tax exemptions. The matter was heard by a family court referee on April 13, 1987. The referee entered an order which amended the November 10, 1981, judgment and decree. The order provides: (1) respondent’s child support obligation be increased to maximum guideline level of $1,200.00 per month, (2) respondent pay for the children’s private schooling expenses, (3) respondent maintain appropriate health insurance for the minor children, and (4) respondent maintain life insurance coverage with appellant and the minor children as beneficiaries. In addition, respondent was ordered to pay consulting and psychologist fees, as well as $750.00 for appellant’s attorney fees. Respondent is allowed to continue to claim the tax dependency exemptions for the two minor children.
Subsequently, appellant moved for a review of the order. Arguments were heard by a judge of the district court, family court division, Hennepin County. The judge’s order affirmed the referee’s order.
ISSUES
1. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in setting the amount of child support?
2. Was the trial court’s refusal to modify the parties’ stipulated maintenance award within its discretion?
3. Did the trial court abuse its discretion when it denied modification of the distribution of the tax exemptions for the minor children?
4. Did the trial court err in determining a provision in the judgment and decree awarding respondent a lien, constituted a property division and as such could not be modified without a showing of fraud or mistake?
5. Did the trial court err in requiring respondent to pay the minor children’s education expenses without clarifying what those expenses are?
ANALYSIS
1. Child Support.
Trial courts are accorded broad discretion in setting child support, and an appellate court will find an abuse of that discretion only where it finds a “clearly erroneous conclusion that is against logic and the facts on the record.” Moylan v. Moylan, 384 N.W.2d 859, 864 (Minn.1986) (quoting Rutten v. Rutten, 347 N.W.2d 47, 50 (Minn.1984)).
One aspect of this case involves application of the child support guidelines where the obligor’s net monthly income exceeds the upper limit established by the legislature. See Minn.Stat. § 518.551, subd. 5(a). The statutory child support guidelines are a starting point for the determination of a support award. Moylan, 384 N.W.2d at 863.
Modification of a support order may be obtained if the moving party shows one of *309the four factors set out in Minn.Stat. § 518.64, subd. 2:
(1) Substantially increased or decreased earnings of a party;
(2) Substantially increased or decreased need of a party;
(3) Receipt of assistance under Sections 256.72 to 256.87; or
(4) A change in the cost of living for either party as measured by the Federal Bureau of Statistics.
This statute demonstrates in order to merit a modification under Minn.Stat. § 518.64, one must show “a substantial change of circumstances from those existing at the time of the dissolution * * *.”, at the time the award was last modified. Wiese v. Wiese, 295 N.W.2d 371, 372 (Minn.1980); Blomgren v. Blomgren, 386 N.W.2d 378, 380 (Minn.Ct.App.1986).
Neither party denies respondent has had a change in circumstances warranting modification of support. Respondent’s earnings have substantially increased since entry of the original judgment and decree. In addition, the parties agree the needs of the children have increased. This court recognized in Chapman v. Chapman, 352 N.W.2d 437, (Minn.Ct.App.1984), that children’s needs increase with their increased age. Thus, the trial court correctly found the level of child support established in the original judgment and decree was unreasonable and unfair.
Appellant argues the trial court erred in determining the appropriate amount of the increase for child support. Appellant contends the trial court failed to take into account respondent’s standard of living.
In Thompson v. Newman, 383 N.W.2d 713 (Minn.Ct.App.1986), this court held the intent of the standard of living factor “is that a child is entitled to enjoy the benefits of the incomes of both parents.” Id. at 716.
In this case, the trial court’s findings address not only the father’s income, but also the mother’s living circumstances, and the children’s personal needs. The trial court’s findings indicate that the court considered:
[Respondent's net monthly income, the reasonable needs of the minor children, including their special education needs, the factors set forth in Minn.Stat. § 518.551, subd. 6(6) (1986), the statutory child support guidelines and the factors they take into account, and the standard of living the minor children would have enjoyed had the marriage not been dissolved.
This demonstrates the trial court considered appropriate needs including the “reasonable” needs of the children and the standard of living they were entitled to share. Based on these considerations, the trial court increased respondent’s child support obligation to $1,200. In addition to the support of $1,200 per month, respondent was ordered to assume the minor children’s private school expenses of approximately $1,200 per month. This in combination with the $1,200 per month child support obligation, brings respondent’s total child support obligation per month to approximately $2,400 or double the guideline amount.
Examination of the trial court’s findings satisfies the requirements of Minn.Stat. § 518.551, subds. (5)(6) and demonstrates the trial court exercised its discretion within appropriate limits. If the child support determinations have a reasonable basis in fact, they must be affirmed. Bollenbach v. Bollenbach, 285 Minn. 418, 426-27, 175 N.W.2d 148, 154 (1970).
2. Spousal Maintenance.
The appellate standard in reviewing spousal maintenance awards is whether the trial court abused its discretion. Erlandson v. Erlandson, 318 N.W.2d 36, 38 (Minn.1982). There is an abuse of discretion where the trial court comes to a clearly erroneous conclusion. Rutten v. Rutten, 347 N.W.2d 47, 50 (Minn.1984). A trial court has wide discretion in determining spousal maintenance. Haasken v. Haasken, 396 N.W.2d 253, 259 (Minn.Ct.App.1986). Each case must be decided on its own facts. Broms v. Broms, 353 N.W.2d 135, 138 (Minn.1984). The basic issue is balancing the needs of the spouse receiving *310maintenance against the financial condition of the spouse providing maintenance. See Erlandson, 318 N.W.2d at 39-40.
Appellant argues the trial court erred in not modifying the original maintenance stipulation as a result of her increased financial need. Where the original maintenance obligation was the result of a stipulation, appellate courts have held that upon a motion for modification the moving party’s burden becomes more difficult. In Claybaugh v. Claybaugh, 312 N.W.2d 447 (Minn.1981), the supreme court stated:
When a stipulation fixing the respective rights and obligations of the parties is essential to the award, the trial court reviewing the original order or decree should view it as an important element because it represents the parties voluntary acquiescence in an equitable settlement. Although the trial court is vested with broad discretion to determine the property of the modification, we have suggested that the trial courts exercise that discretion carefully and only reluctantly alter the terms of the stipulation governing maintenance.
Id. at 449. This is not to say that this court cannot modify a stipulation regarding maintenance. In Sand v. Sand, 379 N.W.2d 119 (Minn.Ct.App.1985), this court stated a stipulation does not prevent subsequent modification.
The authority to modify a dissolution decree is not dependent on the existence of a stipulation but rather on a proper showing of a substantial change in circumstances that make the terms of the decree unreasonable and unfair.
Id. at 125. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in failing to modify spousal maintenance. The findings denying modification address appropriate factors as set forth in Minn.Stat. § 518.64, subd. 2 (1986), are reasonable and well-grounded in fact. See Bollenbach v. Bollenbach, 285 Minn. 418, 426-27, 175 N.W.2d 148, 154 (1970).
3. Dependency Exemption.
The standard of review for dissolution orders is clear. A reviewing court will only overturn the trial court’s decision regarding distribution of property on a showing it has abused its discretion.
In Greeler v. Greeler, 368 N.W.2d 2 (Minn.App.Ct.1985) this court held tax dependency exemptions may be modified in accordance with Minn.Stat. § 518.64. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in maintaining the tax dependency exemption with the respondent.1
4. Respondent’s Lien on the Homestead.
Minn.Stat. § 518.64, subd. 2, provides in part:
Except for an award of the right of occupancy of the homestead, * * * all divisions of real and personal property provided by this section 518.58 shall be final, and may be revoked or modified only where the court finds the existence of conditions that justify re-opening a judgment under the laws of this state.
Minnesota courts have held conditions applicable to reopening a judgment to modify a property division are where the moving party makes an affirmative showing of mistake or fraud. Kaiser v. Kaiser 290 Minn. 173, 186 N.W.2d 678 (1971). The trial court did not err in refusing to modify the parties’ homestead lien interest at this time.
5. Children’s Private Schooling Expenses.
Finally, it was not error for the trial court to find there was no need at this time for additional specificity in its order requiring respondent to pay for “reasonable private schooling expenses.”
DECISION
The trial court’s determinations are affirmed.
Affirmed.
CRIPPEN, J., dissents.

. This court takes note of respondent’s statement that if under the Tax Reform Act, the dependency exemption no longer represents a benefit, he will voluntarily transfer the exemption to appellant.