Court Opinion

ID: 9677502
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:53:50.228989+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:56.363230
License: Public Domain

SABERS, Justice
(dissenting).
The original divorce decree required alimony payments in excess of $3,000 per month, secured by life insurance. As a result of an appellate settlement conference, the monthly payments were reduced *254by stipulation to approximately $1,600. This was done by an Amended Decree dated May 13, 1988.
Now, the trial court has ordered a reduction in alimony to $600 per month and reduced the amount of life insurance required proportionately. This was done simply on the basis of an affidavit, an order to show cause hearing on only ten days notice, and a reply affidavit.
I believe the process used here violates the letter and the spirit of Dixon and Lam-pert. Dixon condemned trial by affidavit and Lampert requires a party to provide the trial court with a complete detailed financial position. Where one’s ability or inability to pay is impossible to determine, “he is not entitled to any relief.” Lam-pert, 388 N.W.2d at 903; Wilson, 399 N.W.2d at 891. We should reverse and remand for a new hearing.
MILLER, C.J., joins this dissent.