Court Opinion

ID: 9859420
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 21:32:33.838224+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:35:45.915002
License: Public Domain

SAND, Justice
(concurring specially).
Even though I concur in the opinion authored by Justice VandeWalle, I deem it appropriate to further comment on a reoccurring problem involving property distribution in divorce proceedings.
The trial court, in my opinion, should require the parties to list all of the property to be divided on one list, together with the value of the property. If the parties cannot agree as to the property involved or the value of the property, each party should be required to supplement the basic list with a separate list setting out only the property on which an agreement cannot be reached either as to value or any other reason. By doing this the court will have a better opportunity to devote its efforts to those areas where the parties are in dispute.
*144On a subject closer to the instant case, the trial court should require the parties to present to the court a written agreement on the disposition and distribution of the property where the parties agree to a property settlement. The court would merely approve the agreement and incorporate it in the decree or order or judgment. By following this procedure it would eliminate the disputes that frequently arise later, particularly as to the argument that a change of circumstances has occurred which requires a change in the property distribution, support decree, etc. The court would then only be concerned with child support payments, if any, or support payments to the spouse which would be subject to change because of a change in circumstances.
I also ask the question, hasn’t the time come for the Legislature to do away with the term “alimony” and simply treat such payments as support or maintenance payments, or, if they are part of the property settlement, to treat them as such.
Whenever the parties agree to a property settlement, it should be included in the written agreement mentioned earlier herein. If the court approves the parties’ agreement it becomes part of the court’s decision and is considered a contract between the parties; unless the court in requiring other conditions to be met substantially alters the basic agreement. In suggesting that the term “alimony” be eliminated, I am not in any manner suggesting that either spouse be denied any support or maintenance payments or a proper distribution of property.
PEDERSON and PAULSON, JJ., concur.