Court Opinion

ID: 9671916
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:45:18.118654+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:12.983946
License: Public Domain

Steinle, J.
(dissenting). In the former action of divorce between these parties, Leach v. Leach (1952), 261 Wis. 350, 52 N. W. (2d) 896, the husband’s complaint did not allege a cause of action for desertion against the wife. There, each of the parties had charged the other with cruel and inhuman treatment and the trial court found that neither had established a cause of action against the other. The only issue on appeal in the former case was whether, under all of the cir*230cumstances, Mrs. Leach was entitled to support under sec. 247.28, Stats. This court overruled the trial court’s determination for an allowance.
In the prior action the trial court had merely found that Mrs. Leach had vacated the home of the parties on August 14, 1947. It did not determine that she left without just cause. It found that for some years she had been in poor health and that (p. 354), “it is evident to the court that her physical and nervous condition has had a great deal to do with the strained relationship which has gradually arisen between the parties.” True, the trial court did not specifically find that the condition of her health was such as to require that she live apart from the husband. On the other hand, it did not determine that she had wilfully deserted the husband. Had wilful desertion been established, even though for less than a period of a year, such conduct may well have resulted in cruel and inhuman treatment which may have entitled the husband to a decree on such ground.
Had the parties or their counsel at the prior trial attached as much importance to the matter of the wife’s leaving of the home as they do now, — or had they been aware of the fact that in the future the evidence which they then presented on the subject might be used in a determination of another cause of action between them, to wit, wilful desertion, — it is not difficult to visualize that both sides undoubtedly would have developed proof on the subject of far greater weight and possibly quantity and quality than that which was presented. Mrs. Leach had undergone very serious operations. She had submitted to psychiatric treatment in hospitals. Medical testimony undoubtedly is available that would bring out in bold relief the truth or falsity of her claims regarding the necessity for such medical attention, and which may have an important bearing as to whether she was responsible for remaining away from the husband or even as to whether she was justified in living apart from him. The court at the *231prior trial found that the record abounds in proof of trivialities. Certainly the wilful desertion, which the husband now claims, is not a triviality. Obviously, in view of the court’s findings, the husband’s proof on the point then must have been very weak indeed. At least, it is reasonable to assume, that the wife in controverting it, was not led to believe that it was a major matter in the cause.
I am of the opinion that the wife at the trial of this action ought to be afforded full opportunity to establish her reasons for leaving the home of the parties. If she is able to present competent evidence to show just cause for such leaving, she ought to be entitled to have it considered in a determination of the husband’s charge that she wilfully deserted him. She ought not to be bound by a finding on the subject in another cause where the issues were different and the consequences totally dissimilar.
Actually the wife has not had her “day in court” with reference to this important item. It seems to me that by the • rule of the majority opinion herein she is denied due process of law, — she may be foreclosed in offering evidence that in fairness to her and in the interests of justice ought to be included in the court’s consideration of whether the desertion was wilful. For these reasons I find myself compelled to respectfully dissent from that portion of the majority opinion holding that the item of her leaving without just cause is res adjudicata and whereby she becomes precluded from presenting information which may result in injustice to her.
In this matter I am in agreement with the majority of the members of the court as to reversal of the order of the trial court’s allowance for attorneys’ fees and disbursements on appeal.
I am authorized to say that Mr. Justice Broadfoot concurs in this dissent.