(dissenting):
I respectfully dissent. One need only turn to the memorandum decision of Judge Gould to ascertain that the change of custody was made on a basis previously considered by this court and found to be wanting.1 The provisions of Judge Gould’s order that are pertinent here read as follows:
I find as a fact that the defendant mother did not sign her Stipulation under duress or coercion, but that her signature thereon was a free and voluntary act; but that this order of child custody is based on materially changed circumstances since the Decree, to wit:
1. The remarriage of the defendant;
2. The acquisition of the new home by defendant and her husband; and the decision is based upon what the court considers to be the best interest of the children on a finding that the parties are on an equal footing with respect to being able to care for the children, but the mother being accorded the statutory presumption of a natural mother. [Emphasis added.]
In Arends, supra note 1, Justice Ellett, speaking for a unanimous court, determined that the statutory provision of Section 30-3-10, U.C.A. 1953, relied upon by the trial court, has no application to divorce cases and that the section applicable is 30-3-5, U.C.A. 1953, which reads:
When a decree of divorce is made, the court may make such orders in relation to children, property and parties, and the maintenance of the parties and children as may be equitable, .
The court further stated that in divorce cases the welfare of the minor children is of paramount importance in determining custody, citing Sampsell v. Holt2 wherein it was said:
Child custody proceedings are equitable in the highest degree, and this court has consistently held that the best interests and welfare of the minor child is the controlling factor in every case.
The case of Johnson v. Johnson3 is supportive of the same proposition and Justice Crockett, speaking for the court, stated it as follows:
it likewise exemplifies the wisdom of the prior adjudications of this court that questions of custody are always equitable and that the controlling consideration is the welfare of the children involved. . . Parental love must find expression, to some extent at least, in sacrifice for the happiness and welfare of the children, rather than in merely insisting upon privileges of parenthood. [Emphasis added.]
Moving now to the real issue of whether or not a substantial change of circumstances was shown as to warrant a change of custody, the main opinion aptly observes that when there has been an adjudication upon one set of facts that should be res judicata and there should be no modification unless it is shown there are some substantial changes that would warrant doing so. The cases are replete in regard to what constitutes a showing of substantial change of circumstances, but none say the acquisition of a new marriage partner and a house are adequate.4
The main opinion recites that at the time defendant consented and agreed that plaintiff should have custody she was “sick and upset.” Such is contrary to the specific finding of Judge Gould, supra. Also, it is to be noted that defendant moved to vacate and set aside the initial decree on such grounds, and others, but was denied such relief by Judge Hyde, which prompted the *311present proceeding to modify the decree. No appeal was taken therefrom.
In Cody, supra note 4, Justice Prick, speaking for the court, treated the issue as follows:
Where a party is dissatisfied with the original allowance or distribution of property, or the disposal of the children, he must prosecute a timely appeal to review the court’s orders or decrees in that regard, and in such cases the review must be had upon the evidence adduced upon the original hearing.
Cody, supra, was referred to in Anderson v. Anderson, supra, note 4, and Justice McDonough stated:
. . . Title 30-3-5, U.C.A.1953, contemplates an opportunity for divorced litigants to come into court for modification of the original decree based on changed conditions, and that any dissatisfaction with such decree is a matter of appeal. Absent an appeal, it is not subject to modification except where changed conditions are demonstrated. [Emphasis added.]
The upshot of the main opinion is that if a mother does recognize the fitness of the father as a custodial parent, and consents thereto, and the court relies thereon, that it must thereafter alter custody if she later decides to exercise the claimed “natural presumption” as to her better fitness, and that same court is obligated to respect her change of heart. Such is not the law and this court should not now so hold.
Much is to be said for the ability of not only litigants to be able to rely upon custody orders, but also for children to be able to place reliance on them so that they will not be uprooted at the whim of one parent who may be only presently doing well with a new marriage. Robinson v. Robinson, supra note 4, is a case specifically in point. There the trial court denied a petition of a divorced wife to have custody of minor children taken from her former husband. On appeal, this court sustained the order adopting the following language:
Notwithstanding the desires and contentions of the parties, the welfare of the children is one of the primary concerns of the courts. Steiger v. Steiger, 4 Utah 2d 273, 293 P.2d 418. In that regard important considerations are the facts that at the time of the divorce they were awarded to the father where they have since resided; and they have known no other home. Where the custody has been determined and the children appear to be comparatively well adjusted and happy, they should not be compelled to change their home unless there appears some substantial reason for doing so. Other circumstances- being equal, this requirement would not be satisfied by the mere fact that economic circumstances may be better with the other spouse. [Emphasis added.]
The Oregon case, Henrickson v. Henrickson, supra note 4, holds that every child custody order is res judicata and in any later modification the moving party must bear the burden of showing that it would enhance the welfare of the child. The Idaho case, Rogich v. Rogich, and the Washington case, Warnecke v. Warnecke, supra, note 4, also adopt the same criteria, i.e., the welfare of the child is the sole matter with which the court is concerned and not with the whims of the parents.
Now looking back to the trial judge’s order and deleting therefrom the statutory presumption indulged in that is not applicable, though lip service was made of materially changed circumstances, there actually are none since only the new marriage and the new house remain. Otherwise, each parent is on equal footing and the order changing custody should be reversed.
WILKINS, J., concurs in result of Justice HALL’S dissent.. Arends v. Arends, 30 Utah 2d 328, 517 P.2d 1019 (1974).
. 115 Utah 73, 202 P.2d 550 (1949).
. 7 Utah 2d 263, 323 P.2d 16 (1958).
. Cody v. Cody, 47 Utah 456, 154 P. 952 (1916); Anderson v. Anderson, 13 Utah 2d 36, 368 P.2d 264 (1962); Johnson v. Johnson, 7 Utah 2d 263, 323 P.2d 16 (1958); Robinson v. Robinson, 15 Utah 2d 293, 391 P.2d 434 (1964); Perkins v. Perkins, Utah, 522 P.2d 708; Rogich v. Rogich, 299 P.2d 91 (Idaho 1956); Warnecke v. Warnecke, 28 Wash.2d 259, 182 P.2d 699; Henrickson v. Henrickson, 358 P.2d 507 (Or.1960).