Johnson v. Johnson

Richard Johnson's appeal from the court's order denying modification of maintenance payable to Shirley Johnson, his former wife, under a decree of dissolution in 1976 raises an issue concerning changed financial circumstances resulting from the sale of the family home as a justification for modifying maintenance pursuant to RCW 26.09.170.

The facts are these: The decree awarded the family home to Mrs. Johnson and provided for monthly maintenance payments to her until December 1979, or upon her remarriage or death. In July 1979, Mrs. Johnson sold the home for $444,000, receiving $97,000 as down…