Court Opinion

ID: 9681635
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 07:53:39.730741+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:34.953181
License: Public Domain

PALMORE, Judge
(concurring).
The dissenting opinion in this case contains a valuable historical analysis of the development of the current state of the law in this jurisdiction relating to the increasingly difficult problems of divorce, alimony and property division. However, the principal issue discussed in the dissent was not really presented at the trial level and was certainly not urged on this appeal.
While we appear to stand alone in our approach to statutory construction in this field, the same authority which notes this variance also admits that our decisions have generally achieved acceptable results. Despite the literalism of the particular statute, the legislature has also deliberately vested jurisdiction in matters of divorce and alimony in equity courts for a long time. That the powers of equity have always been adapted to meet social problems and changes as they arise is an established tradition which cannot be regarded as completely unknown to the legislative branch.
Nevertheless, the dissent ably illustrates a real need for a restatement of the law in this jurisdiction. In my view that restatement should consist more of clarification and recasting of language than in any radical change of governing principles.
In the instant case, the appellant has argued that he is willing to pay substantial amounts for the support of appellee — the only issue is how much. An able and conscientious trial judge carefully and meticulously undertook to effect what he conceived to be a fair and equitable result under existing law. No abuse of discretion on his part is shown in this aspect of the case.
Recognizing the need of clarification and reconciliation of apparently conflicting statements in our opinions in this delicate area, I am nevertheless convinced that in this case the trial judge acted properly within the framework of existing law. I do not believe the result would be different under the restatement of law that I am persuaded is necessary.
I am authorized to state that Judge Reed (no relation to the parties to this action) concurs in the views which I have stated.
We therefore concur in the majority opinion and in the results directed therein.