Ratliff v. Ratliff

This appeal is presented to us as the result of an order made by the trial court granting a stay of proceedings in an action brought to modify a decree of divorce wherein the custody of a minor child was sought to be changed. The plaintiff, former wife of the defendant, sought the modification of the decree. Application was made on behalf of the defendant, a member of the armed forces of the United States, for a stay of the proceedings under the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of the United States, 50 U.S.C. § 521. The trial court ordered the proceedings stayed. The plaintiff has appealed. The record presented to this court discloses the following facts: The appellant in this appeal obtained a decree of divorce on September 11, 1942, from the appellee. Prior to the submission of the divorce action and the obtaining of the decree of divorce, the appellant and appellee entered into a stipulation which provided in substance that the custody of Terrance Riley Ratliff, minor child of the appellant and appellee, ""shall be vested in the District Court of the State of Iowa in and for the 15th [234 Iowa Page 1173]