Court Opinion

ID: 9657682
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 20:34:13.299996+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:47.540942
License: Public Domain

CADY, Judge
(dissenting).
I respectfully dissent, and advance two reasons to support my departure from the majority. First, I believe Dennis is precluded from litigating paternity by the doctrine of issue preclusion. Furthermore, I believe it is inequitable to modify a stipulated or contested decree for dissolution of marriage by contesting paternity.
Our courts do not recognize legal rights or obligations between a child and a person who is not the legal parent of the child, but we do recognize finality in our judicial decisions. In this case, Dennis and Connie divorced in 1986. The decree defined the rights and obligations of the parties concerning the three children born during the marriage. Although the decree made no explicit finding of paternity, this finding was implicit by the court’s imposition of a child support obligation. It was implicit because our law does not impose a child support obligation on a nonparent. Consequently, all elements of res judicata are satisfied in this case. This doctrine of finality prevents Dennis from re-litigating the issue of paternity in his modification action. See In re Marriage of Detert, 391 N.W.2d 707, 709-710 (Iowa App.1986).
The majority relies on In re Evans, 267 N.W.2d 48 (Iowa 1978), to support its conclusion that res judicata does not apply. Evans holds that paternity may be litigated following a default decree since the issue was never expressly determined in the original divorce action. Id. at 51. The court in Evans, however, relied on the modification requirement of a change in circumstances to support its holding. Id. at 50-51. It never specifically addressed the issue whether the doctrines of claim or issue preclusion prevent litigation *876over paternity following a divorce. I acknowledge that facts giving rise to a dispute over paternity may satisfy the change in circumstances test, but those facts fall short of the res judicata hurdle. Moreover, the court in Evans was faced with a default decree. I question whether the court intended its pronouncement to apply to a stipulated or contested decree.
Secondly, this case is before us on a claim for a modification of the child support provision of a divorce decree. The strict requirements of modification not only require a substantial change in circumstances, but, in each case, it must also be equitable to modify the decree. In re Marriage of Glass, 213 N.W.2d 668, 671 (Iowa 1973). Furthermore, our law requires that the changed circumstances relate to the welfare of the child. In re Marriage of Brown, 247 N.W.2d 2, 4 (Iowa 1976).
I am unable to understand how judicial bastardization of a child relates to the welfare of the child or would satisfy any test of equity. Micah is 15 years old. In his eyes, Dennis is his father. The majority has neglected to fully consider the devastating and cruel consequences of its decision on Micah. Dennis apparently has as well. Our law must not.
This case has been propelled by scientific advancements in genetic testing. Dennis utilized this technology to unlock a deep .lingering suspicion of vast consequences. Science and medicine, however, do not control the direction of our law. Our law is not required to accept medical advancements as providing .a better way of life. For sure, some advancements in medicine and science can cause agonizing debates in our nation’s court rooms, and produce painful and even undesirable circumstances for humanity. See Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Dept. of Health, 497 U.S. 261, 110 S.Ct. 2841, 111 L.Ed.2d 224 (1990).
Consequently, the important human aspect of judging must not be lost. There is a reason why our law gives courts the ability to deny a modification if the result would be inequitable.
I believe this case presents circumstances which the law should refuse to sanction. We should discourage the practice of using advanced medical technology to bastardize a child after parental divorce by simply refusing to recognize any legal consequences of blood tests after divorce. This may not protect Micah, who is aware of his father’s efforts to discontinue his support obligation by severing their relationship, but it would protect children in the future from suffering such devastation. A divorce impacts children enough. We should protect them from further suffering. I would deny the modification under the particular facts of this case on the grounds that it is inequitable and adverse to Micah.