Court Opinion

ID: 9543556
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:46:32.251836+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:10:34.986314
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE JIGANTI, dissenting: Ronald Kopec failed to appear at his divorce prove-up hearing on July 31, 1980. The hearing was brief and was fairly held as were subsequent hearings in this matter. The court ordered that the marriage be dissolved and divided the property. The report of proceedings covers 18 pages. Before the judgment order was prepared by counsel for Barbara Kopec, Ronald appeared through counsel and asked to have the matter heard on the merits. The majority states, and I believe properly so, that the court should be guided by a standard of doing substantial justice for the parties. There are several factors that I think should be considered in determining what constitutes substantial justice. Vacating the order eventually entered would only modestly inconvenience the court and Barbara because the hearing was so brief. Barbara was the only witness. The respondent exhibited no disrespect for the court in failing to appear. Ronald was timely in bringing about his motion asking the court to vacate the proceedings of July 31, 1980. It was brought even before a judgment was entered. Most significantly, particularly in the context of this case, the ultimate result must be considered. After a SM-month marriage with apparently no particular equities on either side, Barbara will receive at least $10,000 that was the respondent’s property at the time of the marriage. Section 503(c) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act provides that marital property shall be divided without regard to marital misconduct in just proportions considering 10 factors. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 40, par. 503(c).) Of particular significance are those factors that say that the court shall consider the contribution of each party to the acquisition of the property and the duration of the marriage. The trial court did not specifically consider the fairness of the property division after the initial prove-up hearing, but this court did and concluded the property distribution was fair. The only factor relied on in reaching that conclusion is that the $10,000 award was less than a half interest in the equity in the home. The apparent rationale is that marital property is required to be divided into equal proportions. That position, of course, is not sound. The requirement is that marital property be divided in just proportions. In re Marriage of Atkinson (1980), 82 Ill. App. 3d 617, 402 N.E.2d 831, aff'd (1981), 87 Ill. 2d 174, 429 N.E.2d 465. In my estimation substantial justice will be accomplished by vacating the judgment order that was eventually entered and by having a hearing on the merits.