Court Opinion

ID: 9618516
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:13:18.50616+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:04:30.083319
License: Public Domain

Fletcher, Justice,
concurring.
I agree that a party may waive the statutory right to seek modification of alimony or downward modification of child support through clear language that specifically identifies the right being waived. I write to express my concern that the courts may render unduly harsh decisions if we allow no flexibility in the application of this rule. Support obligations may span decades, or even a lifetime. A party may *444agree to a waiver of the right to seek revision of support obligations in emotionally charged circumstances or without foresight to consider how the party’s own circumstances may change in uncertain economic times. Additionally, support obligations differ from other debts in that the creditor may enforce the obligation through contempt of court and, generally, bankruptcy will not provide relief from these obligations.1 For these reasons, public policy concerns may counsel against an inflexible approach to waivers of the right to seek revision of alimony or child support. Where a party’s financial circumstances have changed so dramatically for reasons beyond the party’s control, or where the financial terms exceed a party’s ability to comply from the agreement’s conception, a court in equity should be able to consider that fact, along with the support needs, in determining whether modification is in the best interests of all the parties.

 11 use § 523 (a) (5).