Case ID: va-cir_17/html/0439-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "By JUDGE F. BRUCE BACH", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CIRCUIT COURT OF FAIRFAX COUNTY
    Fernandez v. Fernandez
    December 15, 1989
    Case No. (Chancery) 113750
   By JUDGE F. BRUCE BACH

Complainant seeks a decree affirming, ratifying, and incorporating a "property settlement agreement" as its Decree in a suit for separate maintenance. Defendant acknowledges the agreement but objects to a Decree.

Va. Code Section 20-109.1 allows a court to affirm, ratify, and incorporate by reference a valid property settlement agreement in a "decree dissolving a marriage or a decree of divorce." A suit for separate maintenance requests neither a decree of divorce nor dissolution. I know of no authority allowing such incorporation by the court in the context of a suit for separate maintenance. I deny complainant’s request.