Case Name: GUNDRY v. GUNDRY
Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1965-09-20
Citations: 1 Mich. App. 475
Docket Number: Docket No. 269
Parties: GUNDRY v. GUNDRY.
Judges: J. H. Gillis, P. J., concurred with T. G. Kavanagh, J.
Reporter: Michigan appeals reports; cases decided in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Volume: 1
Pages: 475–480

Head Matter:
GUNDRY v. GUNDRY.
Opinion op the Court.
1. Divorce—Extreme Cruelty—Both Parties Guilty.
Complaint and cross complaint are dismissed in aetion for divorce, where both parties are guilty of extreme cruelty (CL 1948, § 552.10).
2. Same—Costs.
No costs are allowed on husband’s appeal, where judgment of trial court granting wife a divoree is reversed and both complaint and eross complaint are dismissed.
Dissenting Opinion.
Quinn, J.
3. Same—De Novo Review—Findings op Trial Judge—Credibility op Witnesses.
Divorce cases are heard de novo on appeal, but special consideration is given to the findings of the trial judge, which are based on the credibility of the witnesses and such cases should not be reversed unless the reviewing court is convinced that it must reach a different decision had it occupied the position of the lower court under like circumstances and determines that findings relied on by the trial court are not supported by the record.
4. Same—Conflicting Testimony—Observation op Witnesses.
Judgment of divorce, justified by testimony, if believed, will not be disturbed on appeal, though founded on conflicting testi mony because the appellate court should consider the advantage had by the trial court in his opportunity to hear and observe the witnesses.
References for Points in Headnotes
17 Am Jur, Divoree and Separation § 385.
20 Am Jur 2d, Costs § 16.
[3, 4] 5 Am Jur 2d, Appeal and Error § 868.
[5] 17A Am Jur, Divorce and Separation §§ 819, 826.
[6] 17A Am Jur, Divoree and Separation § 820. 7, 8] 17A Am Jur, Divoree and Separation § 817.
5. Same—Custody of Children—Statutes—Presumptions.
Statutory presumption favors granting mother custody of minor children in action for divorce (CL 1948, § 722.541).
6. Same — Custody of Children — Statutes —• Misconduct of Mother.
Court will not override statutory preference for the placing of minor children with the mother, even though the mother is guilty of misconduct, if the best interest of the children requires that they be continued in her custody (CL 1948, § 722-.541).
7. Same—Custody of Children—Discretion of Court—Welfare of Children.
Award of custody is discretionary matter with the court, the welfare of the children being the primary consideration and proof of unfitness is required to deprive the mother of custody (CL 1948, §§ 552.16, 722.565).
8. Same—Custody of Children—Observation of Trial Court.
Advantage of trial court in being able to observe parents, to hear their testimony, and to interview them in chambers is peculiarly persuasive in the area of child custody, and■ Court of Appeals is not prepared to say trial court abused his discretion in not finding mother unfit and awarding to her the custody of the 3 children (CL 1948, §§ 552.16, 722.565).
Appeal from Eaton; McDonald (Archie D.), J.
Submitted Division 3 June 9, 1965, at Lansing.
(Docket No. 269.)
Decided September 20, 1965.
Bill of complaint for divorce by Rose Ann Gundry against John Lee Gundry. Cross-bill of complaint for divorce by defendant. Judgment of divorce for plaintiff. Defendant appeals.
Reversed and complaint and cross complaint dismissed.
Reamer Wigle, for plaintiff.
Andrew J. Transite, for defendant,

Opinion:
T. G. Kavanagh, J.
This matter was tried on the bill of complaint for divorce by Rose Ann Gnndry and cross bill of complaint by John Lee Gnndry, both actions alleging extreme cruelty. A judgment was entered awarding plaintiff a divorce and the defendant appeals.
A reading of the record in this case establishes clearly that both parties were guilty of extreme cruelty. This circumstance requires that the complaint and cross complaint both be dismissed. CL 1948, § 552.10 (Stat Ann 1957 Rev § 25.90); Sovereign v. Sovereign (1956), 347 Mich 205.
Accordingly, the judgment of divorce entered below is hereby set aside and a judgment dismissing the complaint and cross complaint may enter here.
No costs.
J. H. Gillis, P. J., concurred with T. G. Kavanagh, J.