Document: 381 U.S. 81 85 S.Ct. 1315 14 L.Ed.2d 232 Lucy C. SIMONS, Petitioner,v.MIAMI BEACH FIRST NATIONAL BANK. No. 363. Argued March 10, 1965. Decided May 3, Rehearing Denied June 7, See 956, 1797. Robert Ward, Miami, Fla., for petitioner. Marion E. Sibley, Miami Beach, respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question to be decided in this case is whether a husband's valid Florida divorce, obtained proceeding wherein his nonresident wife was served by publication only and did not make personal appearance, unconstitutionally extinguished her dower right estate. 2 petitioner Sol Simons were domiciled New York when, 1946, she separation decree that included an award monthly alimony. moved 1951 and, year later, there divorce action which had constructive notice but enter appearance.1 After Simons' death 1960, respondent, executor estate, offered will probate Probate Court Dade County, Florida. Petitioner appeared filed election take under law, rather than have rights estate governed terms will, made no provision her.2 respondent opposed claim, asserting since divorced been at death, consequently entitled law. thereupon brought instant Circuit County order set aside obtain declaration even if alter marital status, destroy or impair claim dower. dismissed after trial, District Appeal Third affirmed. 157 So.2d 199.3 Supreme declined review case, 166 151. We granted certiorari, 379 877, 150, 13 85. affirm. 3 Petitioner's counsel advised us during oral argument he longer challenged judgment below insofar as it embodied holding 1952 terminated status parties. therefore proceed decision courts denied petitioner's claim.4 4 argues court power extinguish any acquired decree. She invokes principle Estin v. Estin, 334 541, 68 1213, 92 L.Ed. 1561, where Nevada court, jurisdiction over wife, terminate obligation provide support required pre-existing As so, we ruled York, giving continued effect maintenance provisions its decree, deny full faith credit U.S.Const., Art. IV, § 1.5 application contends, dictates hold their constitutional duty give inherent preservation right. 5 short answer contention imposed on it, concerned alimony support. Unlike ex-husband payments called separate notwithstanding ex parte divorce. In making these until complied with measure decree; when died nothing left dishonor. 6 This conclusion embodies our itself can construed creating preserving interest nature lieu property decedent, wherever located. refers law treats such having effect, or, matter, has irrespective existence think clear burden showing rested upon Cf. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. Duel, 324 154, 160, 65 573, 89 812; Alaska Packers Assn. Industrial Accident Comm'n, 294 532, 547 548, 55 518, 523—524, 79 1044. It follows rests created denial violation Full Faith Credit Clause. Armstrong Armstrong, 350 568, 76 629, 100 705. 7 Insofar subject could existing Vanderbilt Vanderbilt, 354 416, 418, 77 1360, 1456, survived said property, being inchoate, are predicated substituted service. Pawley Pawley, 46 464.6 8 transgressed bounds denying ex-husband's 9 Affirmed. 10 HARLAN, concurring. 11 I am happy join because makes partial retreat from 1456 believe must eventually rerationalized, entirely overruled. 12 this. couple California. went Nevada, established new domicile, parte1 Mrs. Vanderbilt. meantime York. become final, sued sequestering Vanderbilt's located there. ordered payments, rejecting full-faith-and-credit arguments based Over dissents Frankfurter myself (354 U.S., 419, 428, 1367) affirmed award, 'the extent purported affect wife's support, void * *.' 1363. Two rules emerged neither which, suggest deference, commends itself: (1) rights; (2) subsequently establishes domicile regardless connection time former domicile.2 first rule slips unobtrusively into oblivion today's decision, allowed turn A concurrence disputes this, do understand how Court's language read anything less. If may paraphrase slightly, says, 'Insofar 1362, rights.' Ante, p. goes state accept extinguishes rights. see withdrawal due process phase clearer. 15 Because all times relevant purport invest beyond those received husband, second involved here. My hope come too. continue views expressed my dissent embody more satisfactory workable approach 'divisible divorce' (Estin 1561) distilled opinions. 16 BLACK, whom DOUGLAS joins, 17 agree completely opinion, add few words reply suggestion Brother HARLAN here 'a 1456.' marks 'retreat' so regard it. held cut off before us, simply never came existence. No one effective end marriage, wife. shows, grants woman who legal husband dies. marriage ended reason 'widow' within meaning Unless novel cannot limit widows, possible way dealt wives, thought apply. 18 STEWART GOLDBERG, dissenting. 19 would dismiss writ certiorari improvidently granted, believing that, clearly demonstrates, federal presented. There exists Clause, Simons, 'complied decree,' ante, 84. 20 other remotely suggested present posture case. asserted petition '(t)he Courts widow, mere subterfuge Florida, lack proper residence.' counsel, however, 21 questions remain therefore, concern while still living copies complaint. appearance advice counsel. Fla.Stat.Ann.1964, 731.34, F.S.A. provides follows: 'Whenever widow decedent shall satisfied portion descent distribution both, elect manner provided dower, third fee simple real owned conveyed, whereof relinquished part absolutely attacked validity grounds: defrauded falsely claiming residence, bar suit failing disclose prior (3) face showed want (4) lulled inaction. trial findings fact adverse points prejudice. affirming, failure complaint fraud court. Any affirmative defense afforded should presented suit.' 199, 200. Neither nor expressly discussed merits valid, But allows decedent's note 6, infra, interpret courts' decisions sustaining also 'Full given each public Acts, Records, judicial Proceedings every distinguished saying 464, 472 473, n. 2, 28 A.L.R.2d 1358. 'In jurisdiction, wholly independent issue suit. stands falls result denies arises institution inchoate some incidents property. partakes lien encumbrance. originated derived husband; met fulfilled him, creature born altar, cradled bosom integral component thereof, survives life finds sepulcher Alimony too him common gives rise insist upon, to, none of, sense in, Consequently, heard not, indeed lawfully cannot, destroyed sought secured service effected.' alleged, 'Petitioner thus permitted file another alimony, contract annulled without law.' Brief petitioner, 9, 325, October Term, 1950. denied, 340 866, 71 90, 95 632. 'Ex parte' throughout used denote situation defendant spouse. might three grounds. investing overborne State. California awarded, free (though bound) arguably ownership carries one's least value location

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