Matter of Marriage of Rice

Father appeals a trial court order denying his motions to terminate or reduce spousal support and to require mother to pay child support. The threshold issue is whether father sustained his burden to prove a change of circumstances. We conclude that he did.

The decree was entered in May, 1980. It provided for “joint custody” of the parties’ three children, ages 10, 7 and 6, with physical custody given to father. Although she was earning $15,000 yearly at the time, mother was not ordered to pay child support. Father was ordered to pay mother $300 spousal support monthly from October, 1980, to…