Title: Chaachou v. Chaachou

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

73 So. 2d 830 (1954)
CHAACHOU
v.
CHAACHOU et al.

Supreme Court of Florida. Division A.
April 27, 1954.
Rehearing Denied June 21, 1954.
*831 E.F.P. Brigham, Phillip Goldman, George W. Wright, Jr., and James Pilafian, Miami, for petitioner.
Pallot, Silver & Mulloy, Dubbin, Blatt & Schiff, Miami, and Turnbull & Pepper, Tallahassee, for respondents.
MATHEWS, Justice.
This was a suit for divorce, suit money and counsel fees, and for alimony both temporary and permanent. The relief sought is based upon the allegations of a common law marriage. The petition for certiorari seeks to quash an order holding that a common law marriage was not sufficiently established to warrant alimony, suit money and attorneys' fees pendente lite.
Khudourie Chaachou, the respondent, in his answer denied the existence of the common law marriage and all allegations of the bill of complaint with reference thereto. It is contended that the respondent accepted the benefits, advantages and pleasures of a common law marriage, publicly and openly, for many years and is now not willing to accept and bear the responsibilities and obligations of such marriage.
The Chancellor made an order appointing a Special Master for the purpose of taking the testimony of the parties upon the issue of "temporary alimony, temporary suit money and temporary counsel fees to be awarded to the plaintiff and for the purposes of filing his recommendations to the Court, both on the facts and the law."
It should be noted that in the order of reference the Chancellor did not sever the *832 issues as to the common law marriage and the issues of temporary alimony, suit money and counsel fees. For all that appears in the order, the Master was appointed for the purpose of taking the testimony upon the issue of alimony, suit money and counsel fees only. Notwithstanding the fact that the order of reference did not sever the issues, the Master's Report contains the following:
In the case of Fincher v. Fincher, Fla., 55 So. 2d 800, 803, the opinion, after holding that respondent failed to allege or prove a prima facie marriage contract, stated that the Court felt it advisable to outline to the Bench and Bar the procedure which should be followed when a complaint alleging a common law marriage, and seeking alimony and attorneys' fees pendente lite, was denied by the defendant. The advice given was not necessary for a determination of the issues presented in the Fincher case. In that case the hearing was had before the Chancellor. The Chancellor made an order that the plaintiff had proven a prima facie case of the existence of a valid marriage. The Court stated that it appeared from the record that the Chancellor had severed the issues and the opinion, then stated, "The Chancellor should sever the issues and before hearing the plaintiff on her application for alimony and attorneys' fees pendente lite should determine conclusively whether a common-law marriage actually exists." In the same opinion, the Court stated that a wife, in the divorce suit, should "at least make a prima facie showing of the existence of the marriage relationship before being heard on her application for temporary alimony and attorneys' fees." In a concluding paragraph the Court said:
In the present case the Chancellor did not sever the issues and so far as the order of the Chancellor was concerned, the Master was vested with authority to take the testimony of the parties only upon the issues of whether temporary alimony, suit money and counsel fees be awarded to the plaintiff, and for the purpose of filing his recommendations to the Court with reference thereto.
The order did not authorize the Master to determine conclusively whether a common law marriage actually exists. He was required under our previous rulings to determine whether or not a prima facie showing of such a marriage existed as a basis for any recommendation with reference to alimony and attorneys' fees.
It appears that forty-seven witnesses testified before the Master in this case and in addition thereto, there were several written depositions, all of which constituted in excess of two thousand pages of testimony. In excess of one hundred exhibits were filed and an additional fifty exhibits were marked for identification.
It appears that the petitioner was about forty-six years of age and was born in the City of Hodgen in Turkey. The respondent was born in the City of Bagdad in Iraq, of Jewish parents. Each party has been naturalized as an American citizen. They had known each other since 1935, when the then-husband of the petitioner had a business in Atlanta, Georgia. The acquaintanceship began as a business relationship, whereby the petitioner and her then-husband bought rugs for retail sale from the respondent who was conducting a wholesale and importing Imperial Persian and Chinese rug company in the City of New York. After an accident, in 1941 near Folkston, Georgia, in which the respondent was seriously injured, the relationship between the parties became closer when the petitioner rendered considerable assistance to the respondent while he was *833 in a hospital in Folkston, Georgia and in Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The result of this acquaintanceship was that the respondent induced the petitioner to go to Miami Beach and manage a large hotel which he bought. The relationship continued on the most friendly and intimate terms until sometime in December, 1944. Prior to December in 1944 the petitioner was divorced from her first husband.
When petitioner left Atlanta and came to Miami in 1942 she assumed the name of Phillips and was known by that name to her friends and acquaintances until December of 1944. During that period of time she resided at the Savoy Plaza Hotel in Apartment 322, which had been reserved for her. The Master found that this apartment served as a home for both the petitioner and the respondent, during the time that they were in Miami Beach from 1942 to December, 1944.
In the Spring of 1944 the respondent purchased a home at 5041 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida. The petitioner alleged the marriage took place in this home in December, 1944. From the time of the purchase of this home until the time of the alleged marriage, the petitioner testified that she purchased various and sundry furnishings and fixtures for the property and did a good deal of re-decorating and furnishing under instructions from the respondent; that he purchased it for their home and wanted her to fix it up to suit her taste, which she did.
During this period of time the respondent was in New York but he returned to Miami Beach in December 1944, before Christmas. The Master concluded this date to be between the 10th and 25th of December. Petitioner testified that respondent called her from New York and left word with one of the clerks at the hotel that he was coming to Miami and wanted the petitioner to meet him at the station. She did meet him at the station and drove to another hotel, which had been acquired by the respondent, so that he could inspect it, and from there went to 5041 Collins Avenue where, petitioner testified, the marriage took place.
The petitioner on direct examination testified as follows:
On cross examination the plaintiff testified with reference to the marriage contract as follows:
In the Master's Report the above testimony was referred to when he stated:
In considering the existence of a common law marriage it is not only proper to consider repute but also to consider corroborative testimony as to whether or not a common law marriage came into existence or whether or not, as bearing upon the testimony of one of the parties, that they presently agreed to be married and to become husband and wife. If the husband desired to get rid of the wife without a divorce or waiting for death, he would naturally deny the existence of the common law marriage or the agreement. In such a case corroborative testimony, in addition to that of habit and repute, may become very material.
From examination of the record, we find, in addition to habit and repute, much corroboration in the evidence to sustain the testimony of the petitioner as to material facts relating to the actual existence and consummation of the common law marriage.
Other witnesses besides the petitioner testified that the respondent arrived in December, 1944, at Miami, and that petitioner met him at the railroad station and drove him to inspect a hotel which he had bought and then to 5041 Collins Avenue, where they spent the night together. The morning after the alleged common law marriage took place, there is other evidence, besides that of the petitioner, that *836 the parties went into the Savoy Plaza Hotel arm-in-arm and the petitioner, in the presence of the respondent, announced that they had been married. The respondent did not at that time deny this statement.
Early in January, 1945 the parties entertained some fifteen to twenty guests at the home at 5041 Collins Avenue where they were living together and at that time a toast to the newly-weds was made and on this occasion many guests brought wedding gifts or presents. It was described by one witness as the "wedding supper".
Later in January, 1945, after the wedding supper had taken place, there was a luncheon party with about fifty people present, including the respondent, and he was introduced as the husband of the petitioner. Some wedding presents were brought on this occasion also.
Many witnesses testified that prior to December, 1944 they had known the petitioner as Mrs. Phillips and after December, 1944, they knew her as Mrs. Chaachou.
The petitioner resided in Apartment 322 of the Savoy Plaza Hotel until December, 1944 and after the time of the alleged marriage, she moved to the home at 5041 Collins Avenue. Many social affairs were held by the parties at the home on Collins Avenue and also at the Savoy Plaza Hotel and also many religious services were attended by them together and at these places, they were known and accepted as husband and wife and were publicly introduced as such without any protest or denial from the respondent.
After the alleged marriage ceremony there was a contribution to Emergency Relief Fund and published in the Armenian General Benevolent Union which listed a thousand-dollar contribution of Mr. and Mrs. K. Chaachou. There were Christmas cards introduced in evidence addressed to Mr. and Mrs. K. Chaachou at Miami Beach and some mail addressed to them jointly.
Shortly after the alleged marriage the parties purchased a lady's diamond ring, valued at $5,000, and a lady's wedding ring of the approximate value of $500, and they were worn by the petitioner during the time she and the respondent lived and cohabited together.
In Lambrose v. Topham, Fla., 55 So. 2d 557, this Court held that a prima facie case of a common law marriage had been established and that the burden then shifted and that the Court below applied the wrong rule in holding that there was no common law marriage. See also Spinella v. Spinella, Fla., 57 So. 2d 588. In Lambrose v. Topham, supra, we said [55 So.2d 557]:
The testimony offered by the petitioner in this case as to repute and reputation after the date of the alleged common law marriage, as found by the Master, established the fact "that plaintiff and defendant held themselves out as husband and wife to their friends, acquaintances and the general public, and for that matter, to the world, during this five-year period of time". Much of this testimony went further than to establish reputation and repute and was actually corroboration of testimony offered by the petitioner with reference to a marriage agreement. Much of the testimony was in actual corroboration of the testimony offered by the petitioner *837 that such an agreement had taken place. In going into the hotel the day after the alleged common law marriage and stating to employees that they had been married the night before, all in the presence of the respondent and undenied by him, the wedding supper and luncheon where they were introduced as husband and wife, without any denial on the part of the respondent, was actual corroboration of the testimony of the petitioner that a marriage agreement had been entered into. As a matter of fact, the Master found it to be the simple truth "that the plaintiff and defendant entered into this arrangement" and then he limited his finding by saying "for two purposes; first, mere convenience, and, second, business reasons."
In this case an agreement or arrangement constituting all of the essentials of a common law marriage was alleged by the petitioner. It was denied by the respondent. The highest and best evidence would be that of the contracting parties or those who were present at the time. Only two people are alleged to have been present. The respondent denies the contract, which makes corroborative evidence more material in this case. In 70 C.J. Witnesses, p. 789, Sec. 982, the author states that corroborative evidence is admissible to support the testimony of a witness who has been impeached, and also to corroborate unimpeached witnesses as to any fact in issue in the case. In Sec. 1368, p. 1180, of the same article, the author states that it is permissible to strengthen a witness' testimony by evidence of matters showing its consistency and reasonableness and tending to indicate that the facts probably were as stated by the witness. In Sec. 1372, p. 1187, of the same article, it is stated:
See also Streader v. Streader, 18 N.J. Super. 433, 87 A.2d 338; Gerard v. Gerard, 216 Minn. 543, 13 N.W.2d 606.
In the case of Amite Bank & Trust Co. v. Standard Box & Veneer Co., 177 La. 954, 149 So. 532, 536, it is stated:
The summary of the evidence heretofore given as to the actual marriage, the corroborating evidence with reference thereto, cohabitation and repute, shows beyond question, prima facie, a common law marriage, which shifted the burden to the respondent. He has not met the burden placed upon him by law.
Notwithstanding the evidence and the findings and conclusions of the Master based thereon, the report of the Master also contains the following:
This statement is inconsistent with his prior findings of fact and is a misapplication of the law on the subject.
The Master cites many theories to support this finding that the petitioner had failed to establish the existence of the contract of marriage.
*838 Petitioner continued to use the name of Phillips on many occasions and to sign many documents as Phillips. There is nothing unusual about a business woman continuing to use her former name after she becomes married. Certainly this fact, even in connection with other theories, is not sufficient to overcome a prima facie case of a common law marriage in view of the activities of the parties as shown by the record in this case.
The above quoted conclusion of the Master is evidently based upon the following statement found in his report:
If marriage for convenience and business reasons is sufficient to hold the agreement illegal, it might be hard to sustain the legality of countless thousands of marriages. Many marriages have been consummated in order to join together estates or fortunes, or to preserve them from outsiders. Kings and queens have been known to marry off princes and princesses to those of royal blood in order to preserve or unite kingdoms and empires. Marriage contracts have been entered into for the specific purpose of saving embarrassments, or for business reasons, or for reasons of respectability to give legal parenthood to an expectant child.
It matters not whether the arrangement or the contract or the marriage was for a "mere convenience" or "business reasons" if the marriage was once established, it remains established until dissolved by death or divorce.
After the first order of reference and before there was any report from the Master, the Chancellor referred to the Master another matter having a bearing upon the main question. It appears that the respondent had written certain letters to members of the Legislature in 1953 and to the late Governor McCarty. Respondent was attempting to get through the Legislature a law abolishing, or making illegal, common law marriages. The letters were filed in evidence. In a letter to Senator Wayne Ripley, respondent stated:
In addition to the letters the Master took testimony with reference to the activities of the respondent and his charges of blackmail and found that there was not one scintilla of evidence to substantiate the charges of blackmail made by the respondent as to the petitioner or her attorneys, and that there "is no truth in the charges, and the same are false."
It was insisted by the petitioner that even though the charges of blackmail against her or her attorneys were found *839 to be false, the letters reveal the domineering, dictatorial and "rule or ruin" attitude on the part of the respondent and that he will go to any length, irrespective of truth, in order to accomplish his purpose. The petitioner contends that on some occasions when she signed papers or used her old name of Phillips, she did so at the direction and dictation of the respondent and in addition to the blackmail charge, she insists that these letters should be considered in corroboration of her contention of the dictatorial and domineering character of respondent.
The Master answers this by saying the law if enacted by the Legislature in 1953 could have been of no value to the respondent in changing his marital status which may have come into being in December of 1944. It is very true that such a law, if passed in 1953, could not change the marital status which came into existence in 1944, but there is nothing in the record to show that the respondent knew this. To say the least, his activities and his letters were for some purpose and it is reasonable to assume that he was under the impression or thought that the passing of such a law would be of some assistance to him in the pending litigation.
Whether or not the relationship which existed between the parties was meretricious prior to December, 1944 is immaterial in this case. Even if it was meretricious, there is no dispute between the parties that at the time of the alleged common law marriage neither party had any disability to marriage. The Master found that as the parties had capacity to marry at the time of the alleged common law marriage and as the words spoken were sufficient to constitute present assent, per verba de praesenti, such would constitute a legal contract of marriage between the parties. The contract of marriage was denied by the respondent. His denial made it necessary to establish a prima facie case of common law marriage. This was done not only by the words spoken but, as testified to by petitioner, by general repute and reputation, testified to by a score of witnesses, and other facts appearing in the record. If the relationship of the parties was meretricious to begin with, in December of 1944 it blossomed into a common law marriage and continued to be such common law marriage thereafter. Le Blanc v. Yawn, 99 Fla. 328, 126 So. 789; In re Thompson's Estate, 145 Fla. 42, 199 So. 352; O'Connell v. O'Connell, Fla., 45 So. 2d 882.
In Le Blanc v. Yawn, supra [99 Fla. 328, 126 So. 790], this Court, speaking through the then Chief Justice Terrell, said:
The respondent places great stress upon the case of McClish v. Rankin, 153 Fla. 324, 14 So. 2d 714. The facts in that case are entirely different from the facts in this case, and the opinion is not applicable here.
The findings of fact and conclusions of law and the recommendations of the Master were "approved, confirmed and ratified" by the Chancellor, and the prayers for divorce, temporary counsel fees, temporary alimony and temporary suit money were denied. This order of approval *840 was of the report of the Master appointed for the sole and only purpose of taking the testimony of the parties upon the issues of temporary alimony, suit money and counsel fees and filing his recommendations with reference thereto.
The findings of fact of the Master and his report in connection with such findings of fact were wholly inconsistent with the conclusion of the Master reading as follows:
It is quite evident from the report of the Master that he did not place the burden of proving the illegality of the common law marriage upon the respondent, that his conclusions were inconsistent with his findings of fact, and that he applied the wrong rules of law in arriving at his final conclusion last above stated. In his order ratifying, affirming and approving the report of the Special Master, and in holding that based upon the Special Master's Report, the plaintiff and the defendant "are not now, nor ever were, husband and wife", the Chancellor committed error.
A common law marriage was sufficiently established to warrant alimony, suit money and attorneys' fees pendente lite.
The record shows that the petitioner is penniless and is dependent upon the charity of her friends and that the respondent is an active businessman and that his worth far exceeds one million dollars.
An attorneys' fee for the services of petitioner's attorneys in this Court be and the same is hereby fixed at the sum of $5,000, and the respondent, Khudourie Chaachou, be and he is hereby ordered to pay the same. All costs for prosecuting this appeal, including the cost of the transcript of record, and excepting only the deposit of twelve dollars for costs filed with the Clerk of this Court, be and the same are hereby assessed against the respondent, Khudourie Chaachou, and the sum total of such costs shall be fixed and determined by the Chancellor.
The Chancellor should make an award for alimony, suit money and attorneys' fees pendente lite in the Court below from the time of the filing of the suit and assess the same against the respondent, Khudourie Chaachou.
The petition for certiorari be and the same is hereby granted. The interlocutory order of the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Dade County, Florida, denying the petitioner alimony, suit money and attorneys' fees pendente lite should be and the same is hereby quashed for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.
ROBERTS, C.J., and TERRELL and SEBRING, JJ., concur