Slattery v. Slattery , 139 Iowa 419 ( 1908 )

Bishop, J.—

This is a proceeding supplementary to a decree of divorce, brought in reliance upon Code, section 3180, which provides as follows: “ When a divorce is decreed, the court may make such order in relation to the children, property, parties, and the maintenance of the parties as shall be right. Subsequent changes may be made by it in these respects, when circumstances render them expedient.” It appears that the parties, plaintiff and defendant, were married in January, 1895, and two children were born to them — a boy and a girl. In March, 1902, the action for divorce was begun by plaintiff. The defendant entered an appearance in the action, but filed no pleading. Pending a hearing, there was filed in the action a stipulation, signed by the parties, the provisions thereof being in substance as follows: That in the event a divorce is granted to plaintiff the defendant will convey to her a specified interest in cer-‘ tain property described, which shall be “ in full settlement of all matters between the parties relating in any way to alimony, property, or other obligations.” Plaintiff to have care and custody of the children at her own expense as long as she keeps them, with right to defendant to visit them in a reasonable manner and time. On said action being called for trial, tbe defendant was adjudged to be in default for want of any pleading, and on the evidence adduced plaintiff was awarded a decree of divorce. In the decree as entered it was provided that plaintiff “ have and recover from the .defendant alimony as per stipulation on file,” and, further, that “ the children of the parties be, and the same are hereby committed to the sole care and control of the said plaintiff, subject to the right of defendant to visit them at suitable times,” etc.

In her petition in this proceeding, which was commenced in February, 1907, plaintiff alleges that her children are now ten and six years of age, respectively; that from the property conveyed to her under the stipulation entered into at the time of the divorce she has derived no revenue; and that she has been compelled to support herself and said children by her own labor in teaching school and in doing housework. She further alleges that she is and long has been in ill health, that by reason thereof she has been compelled to discontinue teaching, and is now out of employment and has no means to support said children. Her prayer is that the former decree be so far modified as to provide that the defendant be required to contribute to the support of said children. To defeat this demand on the part of plaintiff, defendant in answer relies upon the stipulation. . He then declares that he possesses the affection of a father for the children; alleges that they are not being properly cared for by plaintiff, and that the affection which is due to him from them has been alienated by plaintiff; further, that he has remarried since the divorce, and now has a suitable home for said children; and he prays that the custody thereof be transferred to him. After hearing the evidence introduced by the parties, the court ordered that custody continue in the plaintiff and that defendant pay to a trustee named a certain sum per month, to be used for the benefit of said children. Further provision was also made in the order respecting the right of defendant to visit the children, and the case was ordered continued for such further orders in the future as shall become necessary.

1. Proceedings SUPPLEMENTAL custodyaná dren?contracts of parties. One of the grounds on which the order is assailed is that it ignores the stipulation entered into- between the parties; and it must be confessed that in a sense such is the effect of the order. But that is not sufficient of itself to ca^ f°r a reversal. We quite agree with counsel for appellant that a husband and wife, involved in divorce proceedings, may arrange between themselves for the disposition of their property interests and the custody of their children; and effect will be given by the court to a stipulation, if entered into in good faith and the provisions thereof are found to be fair and reasonable. This we have frequently said. Blake v. Blake, 7 Iowa, 46; Martin v. Martin, 65 Iowa 255; White v. White, 75 Iowa, 218. But parents cannot, by contract entered into between themselves, put one or the other beyond all responsibility for the support and maintenance of their offspring. Irrespective of any rights which might arise from such a contract, personal to the immediate parties, the children have rights which must be respected by their parents; and the courts, in the interests of the children and of the general public, will enforce such rights whenever it becomes necessary to do so. Accordingly, where the custody and maintenance of children is provided for by contract, it is within the power of the court, acting in authority of the statute, to set aside the contract and to decree such provisions in lieu thereof as the interests of the children shall seem to demand.

3. Same: addi-foTchñdren?4 A further ground of attack upon the order is that it is not supported by proof of any material change in condition arising since the entry of the original decree; and it is called to our attention that, under the rule of our cases, proof of change in condition is essential to an order. Graves v. Graves, 132 Iowa, 199; Crockett v. Crockett, 132 Iowa, 388. Conceding the rule, we think the evidence shows a change in condition sufficient to justify the order. Plaintiff invested all the money received by her in the way of alimony — less than $500 — in a little home in the town of Clarksville, where the parties had resided, and where her parents reside. She has no other property. While her health permitted her to labor, she was able to feed and clothe her little ones; but sickness came, and she was compelled to abandon work, and still later, as shown by the evidence, to go through a hospital experience. She and her children find themselves the subjects of the charity of her parents. That here is a change within the contemplation of the statute, and sufficient to call upon the father to again assume active responsibility for the support of his children, we entertain no doubt. The order requires him to pay but the modest sum of $8 per month, and on his own confession he is financially able to meet the demand.

3. Divorce: cus-no? children: discretion. Lastly, it is said that on the evidence as a whole the court should have ordered the custody of the children given into the hands of the defendant. The matter was one con-finded to the discretion of the court, and, with-_ ’ ’ 011t setting out the further evidence appearing in yggoj.^ we gtate ^ as otlr conclusion, from the reading thereof, that in refusing to order a present change in custody the court did not abuse the discretion confided to it.

As the order has our approval, it must be, and it is, affirmed.