Case Name: Blinks v. Blinks
Court: New York Superior Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1893-09
Citations: 5 Misc. 193
Docket Number: 
Parties: Blinks v. Blinks.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 193–194

Head Matter:
Blinks v. Blinks.
(New York Superior Court—Special Term,
September, 1893.)
In an action for separation by the alleged second wife of a bigamist, the plaintiff is not entitled to alimony and counsel fees.
Motion by plaintiff for alimony and counsel fees.
William E. Morris, for plaintiff.
J. Hardy, for defendant.

Opinion:
McAdam, J.
The. defendant is evidently a bigamist, and the civil remedy first invoked by the plaintiff to annul her marriage to him, the proper and only one. The present action is for a judicial separation, which presupposes a valid existing marriage. No man can have two wives at the same time. He is under no obligation to live with number two, because she has no right to his consortium or conyugal society. These belong exclusively to number one. Number two needs no legal separation, because she has never been joined to him by legal ties. There is nothing to sever. A void thing is no thing. The law commands them to live apart, and they cannot legally come together. To live otherwise would be concubinage, which the laws of modern times do not cherish. The right to alimony springs from the marital relation, and depends upon it for vitality. The husband becomes entitled to his wife's services, and she in return therefor, to support according to his means. 2 Bish. Mar. & Div. (4th ed.) § 369. But no right to alimony can he based on a decree declaring the marriage void ah initio^ whether the marriage were a void one or voidable. Id. § 376. The motion for alimony and counsel fee must, therefore, be denied, without costs. The plaintiff may, if she so elects, discontinue her action for separation and proceed with the one for decree of nullity.
Motion denied.