Court Opinion

ID: 9604036
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 02:13:25.332658+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:16.643618
License: Public Domain

FORT, J.,
dissenting.
A decree was granted in September 1973 dissolving the marriage of the parties. One of its provisions allowed the wife, respondent herein, alimony of $125 per month for a period of five years. A long series of post-decree proceedings have been instituted and disposed of, not here necessary to consider.
On February 10, 1975, the former husband, appellant herein, filed a motion to modify the decree by eliminating the alimony payment primarily because the former wife was now living with another man, and though they were not married, they were, except for the legal formalities necessary to a lawful marriage in this state, maintaining a relationship tantamount to that of husband and wife.
The trial court on May 8, 1975, entered its order denying the requested modification. In the course of its order it made the following findings:
"1. That although the Petitioner has been living with one Raymond Marsh, she has been paying the rent and essentially supporting herself and that this relationship is about to terminate.
"2. That there is no legal obligation on the part of Raymond Marsh to support the Petitioner.
"3. That the Respondent’s income, although it has varied somewhat, is not substantially less than it was at the time of the original entry of the Decree.
*36"4. That there is not a sufficient change of circumstances to award the Respondent a modification as to the award of alimony.”
The former husband appeals.
Respondent, Sally Vann, aged 42, testified that for a period of over one year prior to and at the time of the hearing she had been and then was living in another city with one Raymond Marsh in an apartment upon which she paid the rent. Both she and Mr. Marsh were employed, the latter as a foreman for a substantial concern, and she as a waitress. During this period they made vacation trips together which encompassed visits to Reno, Las Vegas and Mexico, all, she testified, at Mr. Marsh’s expensé. He also bought groceries "once in a while.” Mr. Marsh, in turn, was also divorced and paying alimony and child support to his former wife, which was substantially increased, apparently during the time respondent and he have been living together.
Respondent’s 26-year-old married daughter, a school teacher, confirmed that her mother and Mr. Marsh had been living together and that she and her husband had visited back and forth with them in both their homes during this period, overnight on several occasions. It is clear that Sally Vann and Raymond Marsh were living together and enjoying the major basic relationships common to husband and wife.
Recently in York v. Place, 273 Or 947, 544 P2d 572 (1975), the Supreme Court in a different context discussed the nature of the relationship existing between a man and a woman who though unmarried were living together in the relationship customarily present between a married couple. In holding that in such a situation the woman was presumed to have contributed her services gratuitously and was therefore entitled to nothing from the estate of the man, the court said:
"* * * The basis of this principle is that in the normal course of human affairs persons living together in a close relationship perform services for each other without *37expectation of payment. Payment in the usual sense is not expected because the parties mutually care for each other’s needs. Also because services are performed out of a feeling of affection or a sense of obligation, not for payment.
"A legal marriage creates a legal obligation of support. The principle we are considering, however, is grounded upon human experience and not a legal obligation.
"We conclude that the relationship of the plaintiff and the decedent was such as to raise the presumption stated in the quotation from Wilkes v. Cornelius, supra (31 Or 347); that is, that the services were performed gratuitously.” 273 Or at 949-50.
I agree with the majority that the statutory purpose in allowing modification of an order of support is not to punish or to reward a spouse for conduct which may be deemed either meretricious or meritorious. It is to meet the economic needs and to reflect the economic capacities of the parties as they exist from time to time.
In the course of the hearing respondent testified:
"Q At the present time you are living with Mr. Marsh, is that correct, or he is living with you?
"A Yes.
"Q How long has that situation continued?
"A Pardon?
"Q How long have you been together in your apartment?
"A Since the 17th of February.
"Q Of 1974?
"A Yes.
"Q Now, since he is moving out does that mean that your relationship with Mr. Marsh ended?
"A No, not necessarily.
"Q During, the time that he has lived at your apartment has he contributed in any way to the rent, made any payments?
"A No, sir.
"Q In effect you are supporting him, is that correct? You are taking care of his obligations to provide him shelter?
*38"A If you want to word it that way, yes.
"Q And do you buy the food for yourself and Mr. Marsh as well?
"A No.
"Q What expenses then, ordinary living expenses, does he take care of?
"A That and our entertainment and trips.
"Q He pays all the expenses on the trips?
"A Yes.”
Continuing later, she testified:
"Q Was there a time when Mr. Marsh was going to go back to his estranged wife?
"A Yes.
"Q Did that cause you some emotional upset?
"A Of course.
"Q Your relationship with Mr. Marsh is good, is it not; you are good friends and good companions?
"A Yes.
"Q You expect this relationship to continue for the foreseeable future?
"A That’s something I can’t say.
"Q Is it your wish that it continue?
"A Sometimes, sometimes not.”
Despite the fact that common law or de facto marriage is not recognized in Oregon, it does not necessarily follow that once alimony has been awarded in a decree dissolving a valid marriage, conduct by the former spouse of the kind here involved may not well demonstrate, either alone or in connection with other factors, such change of circumstances as to warrant a modification or even elimination of the support commonly known as alimony. The former wife has been relieved of all obligation to support the teenage son who is now in the custody of the father, and he has that full responsibility. She is now employed and earns $250 or more a month. She has also received substantial contributions from Mr. Marsh, whether considered as earned or gratuitous, and she is receiving interest on upwards of $16,000. None of these things was she receiving at the time of the divorce. The evidence here, in my view, did establish a substantial change of cir*39cumstances since the divorce decree. I conclude the decree should be modified by eliminating the $125 a month support award.