State Ex Rel. Iowa Department of Human Services v. Antle

SCHLEGEL, Judge.

The State of Iowa appeals a court order dismissing a long-arm action to enforce child support obligations against an absentee father in Texas after Texas set aside the initial URESA proceeding. The State of Iowa contends that there has been no trial on the merits in either Iowa or Texas that would render the matter res judicata. Our scope of review in this matter is de novo. Iowa R.App.P. 4. We give weight to the fact findings of the trial court, but are not bound by them. Iowa R.App.P. 14(f)(7). We reverse.

Carol Spaulding and Louis Edward Antle lived together from 1964 until…