Case Name: State ex rel. Lizzie White v. Clement Bates, Judge
Court: Hamilton Circuit Court
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1890-01
Citations: 3 Ohio Cir. Dec. 10
Docket Number: 
Parties: State ex rel. Lizzie White v. Clement Bates, Judge.
Judges: Swing, Cox and Smith, JJ.
Reporter: Ohio Circuit Decisions
Volume: 3
Pages: 10–10

Head Matter:
COSTS IN DIVORCE CASES.
[Hamilton Circuit Court,
January Term, 1890.]
Swing, Cox and Smith, JJ.
State ex rel. Lizzie White v. Clement Bates, Judge.
Granting Decree cannot be Conditioned on Payment oe Costs.
Where decree for divorce is granted the petitioner, she cannot be required to pay the costs as a condition precedent to the entry of the decree in her favor.
Mandamus.
A. J. Marsh, attorney for relator.

Opinion:
Smith, J.
We are of the opinion, that where, on the hearing of an application for divorce, the court of common pleas has found that the petitioner, a married woman, is clearly entitled thereto, and has approved a decree granting such divorce, that it has not the right to require, as a condition precedent to the entry thereof, that the costs in the case be paid by such petitioner, though the decree so approved, provided that she should have a judgment for such costs against her husband, the defendant. A rule of the court, requiring the petitioner in such case to pay the costs before the entry of the decree, is not warranted by, but is inconsistent with the laws of the state. We think the case comes dearly within the principle laid down in the case of Heffer v. Scranton, 27 O. S., 579.
It being conceded by the answer that the facts in this case are as above stated, a peremptory writ will be allowed as prayed for.