Opinion ID: 371900
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Future Alimony Installments

Text: 7 Because the California courts properly exercised jurisdiction over Francis Dorey, there is no question that the California money judgment required enforcement by the federal district court. The California judgment for a sum certain, from which defendant failed to appeal, was unquestionably final and therefore entitled to full faith and credit. 6 See Hazen Research, supra, 497 F.2d at 153; Maner II, supra, 412 F.2d at 450-51; Maner v. Maner (Maner I), 401 F.2d 616, 618 (5th Cir. 1968); Green v. Green, 239 Ala. 407, 408-09, 195 So. 549, 550 (1940); Smith v. Smith, 361 So.2d 369, 371 (Ala.Civ.App.1978); Fowler v. Fowler, 45 Ala.App. 354, 356, 230 So.2d 744, 746 (1970); Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws §§ 107, 108 (1971). However, in providing for In futuro alimony, the district court exceeded the requirements of full faith and credit and its authority as a diversity court constrained by Alabama law. 8 In Maner I, supra, this Court spoke to the precise question confronted here. 9 In regard to the enforcement of the (foreign state court) alimony decree as to future installments, the full faith and credit clause does not require Alabama courts to enforce that decree since it is not final and may be modified as circumstances require. . . . However, as a matter of comity, Alabama courts may enforce a foreign alimony decree requiring future payments, but in this respect the Federal District Court sitting in effect as an Alabama court in a diversity case is bound by Alabama Law. 401 F.2d at 618 (citations omitted). 10 The Maner I court concluded that Alabama courts would not enforce an award for future alimony. Id. Although that conclusion is somewhat less certain now than it was in 1968, we hold that Maner I still accurately reflects Alabama law. 7 Accordingly, we reverse that portion of the district court's judgment enforcing the California award of future alimony.