Court Opinion

ID: 9625885
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 07:54:00.768703+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:06:16.535259
License: Public Domain

LUJAN and COMPTON, Justices (dissenting) . In our opinion the case of Pavletich, 50 N.M. 224, 174 P.2d 826, properly appraised and understood, completely removes recrimination from consideration in divorce suits except for such weight as proof of it may have on the issue of incompatibility as a ground for divorce. To elucidate our views, adultery on the part of the plaintiff is set up as a defense by the wife against his suit for divorce on the ground of incompatibility. We do not say proof of such adultery may not be shown in evidence. We think it can be but only and solely for the purpose of determining whether the incompatibility alleged as a ground of divorce in fact exists. If the trial judge makes a finding that incompatibility does exist that ends the matter and a decree of divorce should be entered. If this result may seem harsh in individual cases the problem is one for the legislature. We feel convinced that such is the effect of this court’s holding in the Pavletich case. It follows from what has been said that we think the judgment should be affirmed. The majority holding otherwise, We dissent.