Validity of Informal Post Judgment Agreements

You would not buy a house without giving it careful thought and consideration, the same applies when entering into a post judgment agreement. Post judgment agreements are agreements between the parties after a case has ended. These agreements can be verbal or written. Often these agreements are reached solely between the parties and without court involvement. However, is an agreement that has not been incorporated into a subsequent judgment enforceable?

This issue arose in Smith v. Smith[1]. In Smith, Mother filed a contempt action alleging Father failed to pay alimony. Father, in defense of the contempt, stated he and Mother agreed to reduce the alimony due to extenuating circumstances. Mother testified these agreements were indeed made. In this case, the Court held Father was not in contempt because he “detrimentally relied” on these post judgment agreements. The trial court ordered a retroactive modification of the alimony award to mirror the payments Father made. Mother appealed the decision.

The Appeals Court upheld the judgment relating to the contempt and remanded the case to the lower court for further findings regarding the modification of the alimony award. Although, “[t]he Judge could properly modify the alimony provisions as part of her ruling on the contempt complaint”[2] in this case the judge failed to make the appropriate findings to support the decision. As long as the trial court supports its findings, the trial court’s order will be upheld.

Entering into informal post judgment agreements will have serious legal consequences. If you have questions regarding your rights after a judgment has entered, contact the Law Office of Wyckoff Nissenbaum to speak with an experienced domestic relations attorney.

[1] Smith v. Smith, Mass. App. Ct. (2018).

[2] citing Emery v. Sturevant, 91 Mass. App. Ct. 502, 513 (2017).