Court Opinion

ID: 9752990
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 18:49:12.889642+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:27:27.223285
License: Public Domain

Morse, J.,
dissenting. I disagree that the finding that the parties lived apart for at least six months was clearly erroneous. V.R.C.P. 52(a). In this day and age, setting the law of divorce against this plaintiff by a parsimonious construction of “living apart” is, in my opinion, unwarranted.
*473There was substantial evidence that the only reasons the parties remained under one roof were financial, not the pursuit of conjugal relations. Very little “affection, solace, comfort, companionship, society and assistance” can be gleaned from this record. The Court does say, however, that the evidence supports the conclusion that “resumption of marital relations was not reasonably possible.” If the marriage was not reasonably likely to be resumed, the evidence must support the conclusion that for all practical purposes the marriage had ended.
I also fail to understand why this Court does not simply enter a judgment for divorce effective immediately rather than remand for “such a determination.” Is there a genuine issue of material fact about a bona fide separation since September 1989? I can discern no functional reason for a remand; perhaps there is a ceremonial one.
I also disagree that the trial court’s erroneous finding of the amount of defendant’s monthly expenses requires reversal and a remand for a new trial. If defendant introduced no evidence on his monthly expenses, the finding is extraneous to the decision and of no moment.
I would affirm.