Court Opinion

ID: 9753091
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 18:57:14.33336+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:27:29.590104
License: Public Domain

Barney, J.
(In dissent). I join the Chief Justice in dissent entirely because of the disposition of this case. I agree with the majority that the facts, on their face, support the conclusion that the motions and maneuvers of the libellee were motivated for purposes of delay and obstruction, rather than to generate a good-faith inquiry into the parties’ total financial situation. I also agree that delay would be to the serious detriment of the libellant. But that delay has come about anyway, and the means were at hand below to completely dispose of the issue now here. While retaining control of the assets for eventual disposition, it seems to me the court could have put the libellee’s contention to the test. He could have been required, within a reasonable time, to either present himself for examination and cross-examination in this jurisdiction, or advance the funds necessary for the libellant’s counselled presence at the deposition taking. His contentions, subjected to cross-examination, would then be before the court, and the property disposition made accordingly. If he failed to come forward on either alternative, it would be his option, and he could not bring here the issue raised on this appeal. Since the opportunity to order the same disposition is available here, I respectfully disagree with the entry order of the majority.