Document: 340 U.S. 581 71 S.Ct. 474 95 L.Ed. 552 JOHNSONv.MUELBERGER. No. 296. Argued Jan. 4, 1951. Decided March 12, Mr. William E. Leahy, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Saul Hammer, New York City, respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The right a daughter to attack in validity her deceased father's Florida divorce is before us. She was his legatee. granted after father appeared there and contested merits. issue turns on effect under these circumstances Full Faith Credit Clause Federal Constitution, Art. § 1. 2 Eleanor Johnson Muelberger, respondent, child decedent Bruce Johnson's first marriage. After death wife 1939, he married one Madoline Ham, they established their residence York. In August 1942, obtained from him proceeding, although undisputed facts as developed Surrogate's hearing show that she did not comply with jurisdictional ninety-day requirement.1 Surrogate found 'In court, by attorney interposed an answer denying wrongful acts but questioning allegations Florida. record discloses testimony taken court Johnson. Both parties had full opportunity contest issues decree subject ground petitioner domiciled Florida.' 1944 entered into marriage, third, petitioner, Genevieve Johnson, 1945 died, leaving will which gave entire estate daughter, Eleanor. probate will, third filed notice election take statutory one-third share estate, 18 Decedent Estate Law, McK.Consol.Laws, c. 13. This respondent trial Surrogate, who determined could wife's status surviving spouse, basis alleged invalidity Madoline's divorce, because proceeding been one, '(s)ince valid final State Florida, it collateral courts this state.' 3 Appellate Division affirmed per curiam, 275 App.Div. 848, 88 N.Y.S.2d 783, Court Appeals reversed. 301 N.Y. 13, 92 N.E.2d 44. remittitur remanded case 'for further proceedings inconsistent with' Appeals. But light us we assume requirement 90 days no longer open upon return Accordingly judgment review decree. 4 held finding jurisdiction bound only themselves. followed previous issue. As read cases allow collaterally decided should be equally free do so reached decision consideration Clause. Because involves important adjustment domestic-relations laws several states, certiorari, v. 874, 121. 5 clause statute prescribing other states judgments sister are set out below.2 provision has remained substantially same since 1790. Stat. 122. There legislative history explain purpose meaning statute.3 From judicial experience interpretation clause, emerged succinct conclusion Framers intended help weld independent nation giving within rendering state faith credit have original forum.4 given niggardly generous, full.5 '(L)ocal policy must at times required give way, such 'is part price our federal system."6 6 constitutional promotes unification, centralization. It leaves each power over its own binds litigants, wherever may Nation, prior orders jurisdiction.7 'One enough. 'The principles res judicata apply questions well issues,' matter parties.'8 makes Court, both courts,9 'final arbiter when question raised what permissible limitation clause.'10 7 exercise responsibility recently passed restated controlling subsequent decrees states. Davis Davis, 305 32, 59 3, 83 26, Virginia husband acquired local domicile separation District Columbia, marital domicile, District. appearance findings jurisdiction, contest. two cases, Williams I II, 317 287, 63 207, 87 279, 325 226, 65 1092, 89 1577, party creates adequate relationship justify relation, page 298, 213; 235, 1097. later left determine whether 'ex parte' enter 230, note 6, 237, dissent 277, 1095, 1098, 1117; Esenwein Commonwealth, 281, 1118, 1119, 1608. Cf. Rice Rice, 336 674, 69 751, 93 957. 8 Three years undecided II answered. Sherrer Sherrer, 334 343, 68 1087, 1097, 1429, where personally or counsel, Massachusetts entitled lacked domicile.11 320 Mass. 351, 358, 801, 805. We reversed, saying: 'We believe those related situations clearly indicative result here. Those stand proposition requirements bar defendant attacking grounds participation proceedings, accorded issues, susceptible rendered decree.' pages 351 352, 1090, 1091. And cf. 355 356,12 1093. Coe Coe, 378, 1094, 1451; Estin Estin, 541, 1213, 1561. 9 clear foregoing that, decisions, virtue out-of-state barring either served personal Such barred would permitted make granting state. rule recognized. 17, 44, 46. determined, however, 'stranger action,' York, if attacked 10 No come attention holding parent's parent contesting, here, judicata. ex rel. Willys Chillingworth, 124 Fla. 274, 168 So. 249, relied, does hold. That suggestion writ prohibition Supreme prohibit lower complaint Willys' stepmother's former fraudulently obtained. Therefore, alleged, marriage void stepmother interest widow estate. improper venue complaint. opinions intimated heir, represent divorce.13 Neither nor any cited cover situation doctrine might applied. is, neither proceedings. If privity surely child's father's.14 If, hand, holds, case, stranger proceedings,15 late indicate mere expectancy time divorce. 11 deMarigny deMarigny, Fla., 43 So.2d 442, second sought declared invalid. putative wife, being stranger, without then existing interest, decree, impeach it. quoted approval Freeman Judgments (5th ed.) 636, 319: 'It strangers who, were effect, prejudiced regard some pre-existing right, judgment. Being action, manage cause appeal judgment, law allowed whenever attempted enforced against them affect rights interests rendition.' 447. 12 See also Gaylord Gaylord, 45 507. refused permit effort redress fraud court. 13 conclude Mrs. Muelberger between beyond cannot reason When lack actually state, anywhere Union. forbids. 14 Reversed. 15 FRANKFURTER dissents, reasons Appeals, views expressed 356, 1451. 16 MINTON took case. order obtain complainant resided ninety filing bill complaint.' Fla.Stat.Ann.1943, 65.02. construed require immediately preceding date. Curley Curley, 144 728, 198 584. arrived June, July 29. U.S.Const. IV, 1: 'Section shall public Acts, Records, Proceedings every State. Congress general Laws prescribe Manner Records proved, Effect thereof.' 28 U.S.C. 1738, U.S.C.A. 1738: 'Such records copies thereof, authenticated, United States Territories Possessions usage State, Territory Possession taken.' Jackson, Credit—The Lawyer's Col.L.Rev. 355, cited; North Carolina, 301, 303, 214, 215, 279; Riley Trust Co., 315 348—349, 62 608, 611, 612, 86 885. 40, 26. supra, 41, 6. Treinies Sunshine Mining 308 66, 78, 60 50, 84 85. Mills Duryee, Cranch 481, 485, 411. Carolina I, 302, 215. permission, Mass.Gen.Laws (Ter.Ed.), 209, 36, convey real sole, living apart justifiable causes. highlights ruling: 'But here can used citizens change remove another leave long enough escape rigors laws, scurry back. To hold contravenes say slight concern continuance termination relationships domiciliaries foreclosed arranged litigation represented.' 362—363, 1099, 1100. 278, 251: settled heir Rawlins (18 345) Kuehmsted Turnwall (103 1180, 138 775), supra.' observation directed bind parent. find nothing application applies whom litigation. 349, 11, 1089, 1429. Note, Standing Children Attack Their Parents' Divorce Decree, 50 833.

Category: 10