James William Childers vs. Vicky Lynn Simmons Childers
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 97-CA-00300-SCT
JAMES WILLIAM CHILDERS
v.
VICKY LYNN SIMMMONS CHILDERS
DATE OF JUDGMENT:
TRIAL JUDGE:
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:
NATURE OF THE CASE:
DISPOSITION:
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
02/05/97
HON. JOHN C. ROSS, JR.
ALCORN COUNTY CHANCERY COURT
TOMMY DEXTER CADLE
GERALD R. McLEMORE
CIVIL - DOMESTIC RELATIONS
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND
REMANDED IN PART - 07/23/98
8/17/98
BEFORE SULLIVAN P.J., ROBERTS AND WALLER, JJ.
SULLIVAN, PRESIDING JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1. This appeal arises from the February 5, 1997 dismissal of James' Motion for Contempt,
Modification of Former Decree, Clarification of Support Provisions and for Equitable Division of
Marital Assets in the Chancery Court of Alcorn County, Mississippi. The trial court rendered a final
divorce decree based on irreconcilable differences on May 31, 1996, which addressed child custody
and support, visitation rights, and disposition and division of all marital properties. No appeal was
taken by either party.
¶2. On November 20, 1996, James filed his motion which is the subject of this appeal. Vicky Lynn
filed her response setting forth the defense of res judicata to all issues except for the motion for
citation of contempt. The chancellor addressed the motion for contempt as it relates to the payment
of a MasterCard account as well as the issue of periodic reports that relate to the jointly owned dry
cleaning business. Other than these two issues, the chancery court entered its final order dismissing
the motion, without any further testimony, finding that no new issues had been presented by the
pleadings to warrant a hearing.
¶3. Aggrieved by the lower court's opinion, James presents seven separate issues for this Court's
consideration. However, the primary issue is whether the chancellor erred when he dismissed the
motion, except for the motion for contempt, without a hearing and without the opportunity for James
to present evidence on each issue.
I. Whether the Trial Court erred in not allowing Plaintiff a hearing on his Motion for Citation
for Contempt, Modification of Former Decree, Clarification of Support Provisions, and for
Equitable Division of Marital Assets.
¶4. James cites to Article 3, Sections 14 and 25, of the Mississippi Constitution in support of his
argument that he was denied his right to due process when the trial court ruled on his motion without
a hearing. He asserts that the chancery court had a responsibility to hear his claims and proof before
ruling. In response Vicky Lynn contends that James has been provided his "due process" by a full
evidentiary hearing on, not only the complaint for divorce filed by Vicky Lynn, but also on his
counterclain for a divorce. She contends that all issues raised in this appeal had been previously
litigated in the divorce hearing and are barred under the rule of res judicata. We disagree that all
issues raised in James' pleadings are barred by res judicata.
¶5. The chancellor was in agreement with Vicky Lynn except for the issue of contempt on a
MasterCard indebtedness. Although the final Order does not use the word res judicata it does state,
"each request of James William Childers in his Motion was specifically dealt with in this Court's
opinion and Judgment dated May 31, 1996, whereby the parties were granted a divorce and their
properties divided." The final Order further stated, "James William Childers failed to do so [perfect
his appeal following the last order dated August 2, 1996] and this Court will not now revisit each of
these old issues."
¶6. Vicky Lynn quotes Walton v. Bourgeois to this Court for the proposition that "A final judgment
on the merits of an action precludes the parties and their privies from relitigating claims that were or
could have been raised in that action. We have labeled this rule res judicata." Walton v. Bourgeois,
512 So. 2d 698 (Miss. 1987); See also Pray v. Hewitt, 254 Miss. 20, 179 So. 2d 842 (1965)
(affirming a chancery court decree dismissing the suit based on res judicata). In Pray this Court
explained that "'[t]he rule [of res judicata] is often broadly stated in general terms that a judgment is
conclusive not only on the questions actually contested and determined, but on all matters which
might have been litigated and determined in that suit.'" Id. at 24, 179 So. 2d at 844 (quoting 50
C.J.S. Judgments § 716 (1947)). This would include all issues pertaining to property division
considered and ruled on after the divorce hearing. If James thought the final decree was incorrect he
should have appealed to this Court within 30 days after the motion for reconsideration was denied.
See Miss.R.App.P. 4 (a) and (d). James did not do this, instead he filed a motion to modify
requesting the court to allow him to relitigate issues that were litigated and determined in the original
action for divorce.
¶7. James was afforded a full, complete hearing at which he was given the opportunity to call
witnesses and to be heard by the lower court during the divorce proceedings on the issues relating to
the equitable division of marital assets that he now presents to this Court on appeal. Accordingly,
James was not denied due process of law, as required by both the U.S. Constitution and the
Mississippi Constitution on these issues, for he was given an opportunity to be heard on the same
issues he sought to modify a few months after the final decree was entered.
¶8. However, James did raise the issue of a material change of circumstances which if proven would
warrant a modification of the divorce decree regarding child support. While the issues as they relate
to property division are barred by res judicata, the request seeking modification of child support and
clarification of visitation rights are new issues that require a hearing. Due Process is implicated, "If a
full and complete hearing is not allowed by refusing the defendant his opportunity to present
evidence, then the defendant is thereby deprived of due process." Weeks v. Weeks, 556 So. 2d 348,
349-50 (Miss. 1990) (citing Fortenberry v. Fortenberry, 338 So. 2d 806 (Miss. 1976)).
¶9. In this case the chancellor found nothing new that required a hearing, other than the issue of
contempt, but this determination was solely based on the pleadings. Summary judgment is not proper
when it was not requested by either party and the motion for modification alleges a material change
of circumstances. It makes no difference if the petition is filed 30 days, 90 days or 2 years after the
divorce was granted. It was a denial of James' rights to due process for the Chancellor to deny his
motion without holding a hearing where James is given the opportunity to provide factual support for
the allegation in the pleading that there has been a material change in circumstances since the
rendering of the former decree.
¶10. However, the trial court should be mindful that in regard to the issue of reducing child support
obligations, "only [material] changes occurring after the original decree and not reasonable
anticipated by the parties at the time of the agreement should be considered in the modification of
child support." Shipley v. Ferguson, 638 So. 2d 1295, 1298 (Miss. 1994). In order for a chancellor
to modify child support there must be a material change in the circumstances of the parties following
the original decree. Morris v. Morris, 541 So. 2d 1040, 1042-43 (Miss. 1989); See also Clark v.
Myrick, 523 So. 2d 79 (Miss. 1988) and Miss. Code Ann. 93-5-23 (1994). But first, James must
have the opportunity to be heard regarding the issue of modification of child support.
II. Whether the Trial Court erred in not modifying Plaintiff's motion to reduce child support
to Plaintiff's oldest of two children who refused to have a relationship with Plaintiff and was in
fact emancipated.
¶11. In the chancellor's Order addressing the motion for reconsideration filed by both parties after the
final divorce decree was entered, child support in the sum of $60.00 per week was awarded effective
August 1, 1996. This amount is to be paid "until both children are emancipated." James contends that
this Court should allow him relief just as this Court has allowed relief from support or education
requirements where the child gave no indication of love, affection, appreciation or consideration for
the support citing Hambrick v. Prestwood, 382 So. 2d 474 (Miss. 1980). This contention is
misguided. We stated in Hambrick that "The facts of some cases require exceptional treatment and
this is one of those." Id. at 478. On remand, the chancellor should consider the evidence presented at
the hearing and make a specific finding if this case is one of those cases that requires such exceptional
treatment.
III. Whether the Trial Court erred in not setting specific visitation rights for Plaintiff with
Plaintiff's youngest daughter.
¶12. The final decree states in relevant part:
From the proof before the Court, the Court finds and hereby orders that Vicky Lynn Childers be
given the primary care, custody and control of the two minor children, with James William
Childers having reasonable visitation rights with his minor children.
(emphasis added). In James' motion for citation, modification, clarification and equitable division of
marital assets he requested that the chancery court specifically set forth the Plaintiff's visitation rights
with the younger child, including reasonable alternating weekend visitations, as well as holidays and
summer visitation. In the order being appealed from, the chancellor makes no finding whatsoever
pertaining to this request.
¶13. Vicky Lynn argues that this issue is barred by res judicata since the court determined that no set
visitation was necessary, and just a little over three months have passed since the final orders in the
divorce case. When the issue concerns the modification of visitation rights the argument of res
judicata is not controlling and the petition can not be denied on this theory. Tighe v. Moore, 246
Miss. 649, 662-63, 151 So. 2d 910 (1963), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 921 (1963). The Tighe Court
differentiated between a modification of custody as opposed to "a change in dates and periods of time
during which the appellant was to have the temporary care and custody of the children for the
purpose of visitation." Id. at 663, 151 So. 2d at 915. Further this Court has stated that the rule
requiring a change in circumstance has no application where the terms of visitation are at issue. Clark
v. Myrick, 523 So. 2d 79, 83 (Miss. 1988); Cox v. Moulds, 490 So. 2d 866 (Miss. 1986).
¶14. This Court has previously addressed a chancery court's denial of a request to clarify visitation
rights of a non custodial parent in Cox v. Moulds, 490 So. 2d 866 (Miss. 1986). In Cox, the non
custodial parent asked the court to provide an order making his visiting rights specific with reference
to times, dates and places. Id. at 869. The question in Cox was the restriction placed upon the father
that he could not have visitation with his children except at the home of his ex-mother-in-law or in
the Hattiesburg area. When addressing this issue this Court stated:
All that need be shown is that there is a prior decree providing for reasonable visitation rights
which isn't working and that it is in the best interests of the children as fostering a positive and
harmonious relationship between them and their divorced parents to have custody provisions
made specific rather than flexible and attendantly vague.
Id. at 869. We remanded the case to the lower court and instructed it to enter a decree that is
"reasonable and appropriate under all the circumstances and consistent with our law making specific
provision for reasonable visitation rights . . . ." Id. at 871.
¶15. Applying this rule to this case, the only mention of visitation is that James has "reasonable
visitation rights". James argues in his brief that he has not been able to visit with this child on any
type of regular basis due to the mother's interference. The chancellor did not allow a hearing where
James was given the opportunity to present evidence that he has been denied reasonable visitation
and what is in the best interest of the child. However, James did not file a motion for contempt
contending that Vicky Lynn has refused him "reasonable visitation", he just sought clarification of
what the term "reasonable visitation" means.
¶16. "The specification of times for visitation rights is committed to the broad discretion of the
chancellor", Clark v. Myrick, 523 So. 2d 79, 83 (Miss. 1988), but that does not excuse the failure of
the chancellor to specify what those times are. In Clark, this Court found that the chancellor did not
abuse his discretion when he found that there was no evidence introduced at the hearing to warrant
any change in earlier visitation provisions. In contrast, James does not have the benefit of specific
visitation provisions as the parties in Clark were provided. Further, James was not allowed a hearing
to demonstrate how the vagueness of the prior decree concerning his visitation rights were
unworkable, or not in the best interest of his youngest daughter. It is also worth noting that in
Crowson v. Moseley, 480 So. 2d 1150 (Miss. 1985) we reversed an order that only allowed the non
custodial spouse very limited and short periods of visitation. We set out considerations the trial court
should take into account when determining what constitutes reasonable visitation privileges. This
Court has stated that "parent and child should have as close and loving a relationship as possible,
despite the fact that they may not live in the same house." Dunn v. Dunn, 609 So. 2d 1277, 1286
(Miss. 1992) (quoting Qhite v. Thompson, 569 So. 2d 1181, 1185 (Miss. 1990)).
¶17. We reverse the chancellor by finding that he did abuse his discretion when he refused to clarify
the vague visitation provision in the divorce decree and to allow a hearing to determine what specific
visitation provisions would be in the best interest of the minor child. We remand this case where the
chancellor can specifically set out James' visitation rights to reflect what visitation schedule is
appropriate when considering the best interest of the minor children but also keeping in mind the
rights of the non-custodial parent.
IV. Whether the Trial Court erred in not terminating requirement for Plaintiff to pay car note
of oldest daughter beyond her twenty-first birthday.
¶18. James contends that he should not be responsible for paying for his oldest daughter's car
payments beyond her twenty-first birthday. In support of this he cites to Stokes v. Maris, 596 So. 2d
879, 882 (Miss. 1992) (holding that the trial court has no authority to order child support in any form
to continue post-majority unless there is an agreement or contract between the parties for such
support). Regardless of this contention, in the case at bar the oldest daughter has not reached the age
of twenty-one. Once the child does reach age twenty-one, if James is still paying the car payments
then he can petition the chancery court to modify the original divorce decree. This assignment of
error is without merit at this time.
V. Whether the Trial Court erred in not dividing parties' commercial property which was a
marital asset.
VI. Whether the Trial Court erred in not disposing of parties' jointly owned livestock.
¶19. Both of these arguments are barred by the doctrine of res judicata. James argues that the trial
court should have applied the factors set forth in Ferguson v. Ferguson, 639 So. 2d 921, 928-29
(Miss. 1994) to make a fair and final distribution of the cleaning business as a marital asset. However,
neither James nor Vicky Lynn appealed that final judgment which specifically addressed the
disposition of the cleaning business and the livestock. The judgment following the divorce was
conclusive on both of these issues and therefore these claims are barred by res judicata. Johnson v.
Howell, 592 So. 2d 998, 1002 (Miss. 1991) (precluding new action involving identical claims with
identical parties as in the prior adjudication based on res judicata).
¶20. When the parties allowed time for appeal expired, the issues concerning property disposition
became final and cannot be raised again in a motion to modify. Res judicata applies in this case
because both the action leading to the final divorce decree and the present action concern identical
claims and the same parties. Johnson, 592 So. 2d at 1002. These assignments of error are barred by
res judicata and therefore the chancellor was correct in dismissing these claims without a hearing.
¶21. In conclusion, James was not denied due process of law when the chancellor denied a hearing
regarding the merits of his claims relating to the equitable division of the marital assets since he was
given a full evidentiary hearing during the divorce proceedings regarding those issues that are now
raised in this appeal. The two claims concerning the disposition of marital property are barred by the
doctrine of res judicata.
¶22. The issue concerning support of the minor children however does require a hearing in order for
the chancellor to make a proper determination based on the evidence. We reverse and remand this
case and instruct the trial court to conduct a hearing on the allegation in James' pleading that there is
a material change of circumstances which if proven warrants a modification of court ordered child
support.
¶23. Also, the chancellor should set out specific visitation privileges on behalf of James that is in the
best interest of the minor children while also considering the rights of the non custodial parent.
¶24. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART.
PRATHER, C.J., BANKS, ROBERTS, SMITH, MILLS AND WALLER, JJ., CONCUR.
McRAE, J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY. PITTMAN, P.J., NOT PARTICIPATING.
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
