Opinion ID: 1246954
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: determination of husband's net worth

Text: 12. It is therefore clear in a divorce action, where discovery procedures directed toward the establishment of the husband's net worth involve burdensome expense and an exposure of the parties and witnesses to unreasonable oppression and injury within the meaning of Rules 30.02 and 45.02, the trial court may, in its discretion, require both parties first to litigate the issue of whether either party is entitled to a divorce, and the further issue of whether any delinquency of the parties has been of a nature and degree which is material in fixing the amount of alimony, if any be awarded. Until grounds for a divorce have been reasonably established, there is no need for incurring burdensome expense or for exposing parties or witnesses to annoying or oppressive disclosures.