Court Opinion

ID: 9733400
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 17:06:12.408672+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:40.962045
License: Public Domain

J. H. Gillis, P.J.
(concurring in part and dissenting in part). While I agree with the majority that the trial court erred in taking testimony prior to *755the expiration of the six-month waiting period, contrary to MCL 552.9f; MSA 25.89(6), I believe the error was harmless. The purpose of the statute is to "afford an opportunity to the parties to consider their responsibilities toward their children and to effect a reconciliation if possible”. Linn v Linn, 341 Mich 668, 672; 69 NW2d 147 (1955). See, also, Falconer v Falconer, 330 Mich 532, 534; 48 NW2d 158 (1951). Thus, had plaintiff contested the grant of the divorce itself, one could argue that the policy behind the statute had been thwarted as a result of the trial court’s action. However, plaintiff does not contend that a reconciliation was or is possible, but rather attacks the property settlement as inequitable. Since compliance with the statute would not have achieved its intended purpose, I would deem its violation harmless.
I believe this conclusion is also supported by another aspect of this case, that is, the fact that plaintiff agreed to have the complaint for divorce heard by the trial judge prior to the expiration of the statutory waiting period. I believe that such conduct waives any right to later attack the terms of the divorce judgment on the grounds that the statute was violated. I believe the concept I first expressed in People v Brocato, 17 Mich App 277; 169 NW2d 483 (1969), should apply here, that is, that one should not be permitted to sit back and harbor error to be used later as an appellate parachute. Brocato, supra, p 305.
However, as to the question of fraud raised by the plaintiff, I agree with the reasoning set forth in the majority opinion. Therefore, I too would remand this case for the purpose of conducting an evidentiary hearing concerning the plaintiff’s allegations.