Opinion ID: 1136028
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Whether the cohabitation clause in the divorce settlement providing for the termination of alimony was contrary to Mississippi law and void as a matter of public policy.

Text: Sally argues that the cohabitation clause in the divorce settlement providing for the termination of alimony was contrary to Mississippi law and void as a matter of public policy in that it attempted to deprive the chancery court of authority to hear a plea for alimony modification. Indeed, this Court has held that the parties may not by contract, court-approved or otherwise, deprive the court of authority to hear a plea for modification of periodic alimony. Bell v. Bell, 572 So.2d 841, 845 (Miss. 1990). However, Sally's plea was not one for modification of alimony, but rather for reinstatement of alimony some 22 months after it had been forfeited by her. Certainly, had Sally moved for modification of the alimony prior to its termination, the cohabitation clause in the divorce settlement in no way would have prevented the Chancellor from considering such motion. The clause provided simply that Sally would forfeit her right to alimony upon her cohabitation without marriage with a member of the opposite sex. This Court has stated its policy on enforcing divorce settlements as follows: In property and financial matters between the divorcing spouses themselves, there is no question that, absent fraud or overreaching, the parties should be allowed broad latitude. When the parties have reached agreement and the chancery court has approved it, we ought to enforce it and take as dim a view of efforts to modify it, as we ordinarily do when persons seek relief from their improvident contracts. Bell, 572 So.2d at 844 (citing Osborne v. Bullins, 549 So.2d 1337, 1339 (Miss. 1989); Morris v. Morris, 541 So.2d 1040 (Miss. 1989)). Sally has alleged no fraud, and her claim that she was overreached by John was dismissed by the Chancellor, which order this Court previously affirmed. Weathersby v. Weathersby, 667 So.2d 30 (Miss. 1996). A cohabitation clause providing for the forfeiture of future alimony does not attempt to deprive the chancery court of its authority to hear pleas for the modification of alimony. The cohabitation clause in the instant settlement agreement was not contrary to law or void as against public policy.