Opinion ID: 371900
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Equitable Aspects of the Judgment

Text: 11 Mr. Dorey contends that the federal district court erred in ordering him to keep the court apprised of his address and employment and in enjoining him and others who represent him from disposing of assets beyond reasonable living expenses until satisfaction of the judgment. The assertion misses the mark. 12 The law of the jurisdiction granting a foreign judgment full faith and credit determines the methods by which the judgment may be enforced. Lynde v. Lynde, 181 U.S. 183, 187, 21 S.Ct. 555, 45 L.Ed. 810 (1901); Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 99 (1971); R. Leflar, Supra, § 76 at 176-77. Indeed, the state enforcing a foreign judgment may use equitable means normally available to it in enforcing judgments even if those means are not available in the forum that rendered the judgment. See Glanton v. Renner, 285 Ky. 808, 149 S.W.2d 748, 751 (1941). Further, a federal court sitting in diversity follows the practice of the state in which it sits with regard to equitable enforcement of judgments. See Stephenson v. Duriron Co., 292 F.Supp. 66, 80 (S.D.Ohio 1968), Aff'd 428 F.2d 387, 392 (6th Cir.), Cert. denied, 400 U.S. 943, 91 S.Ct. 245, 27 L.Ed.2d 247 (1970). Federal courts enforcing foreign alimony awards follow the general rule. See Howard v. Jennings, 146 F.2d 332, 334-35 (8th Cir. 1945). 13 Alabama courts employ their equitable powers to enforce alimony judgments. See McGugin v. McGugin, 357 So.2d 347, 351 (Ala.Civ.App.1978); Moore v. Moore, 57 Ala.App. 735, 331 So.2d 742, 744 (Ala.Civ.App.1976); Stone v. State, 42 Ala.App. 485, 485-86, 168 So.2d 266, 266-67 (1964). Further, equitable powers will be used in enforcing a foreign support judgment. See Fowler v. Fowler, supra, 45 Ala.App. at 356, 230 So.2d at 746. Even contempt of court that may result in imprisonment is available, See Stone v. State, supra, 42 Ala.App. at 485-86, 168 So.2d at 266-67, and Alabama courts exercise equitable powers to eliminate the interest of one party in a home formerly jointly owned. See McGugin v. McGugin, supra, 357 So.2d at 351; Moore v. Moore, supra, 331 So.2d at 744. Directly relevant to the present situation, one party in domestic litigation has been restrained from disposing of assets until satisfaction of an alimony judgment. Awad v. Awad,54 Ala.App. 154, 156, 306 So.2d 21, 23 (1975). There can be little question of the district court's authority to equitably enforce its judgment, and the district court committed no error in doing so. 8 14 Francis Dorey argues that the district court erred in its award of interest. He apparently complains of interest accumulating on interest. The award of interest on interest is proper in those situations in which a judgment grants interest on an amount resulting from an unsatisfied judgment on which interest has accrued. Hellenic Lines, Ltd. v. Gulf Oil Corp., 359 F.2d 403, 404 (2d Cir. 1966). Mr. Dorey also contends that the California judgment did not specify the rate of interest applicable. We need do no more than note that the judgment set interest at the rate allowed by law.