Court Opinion

ID: 5015068
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-01 03:24:27.303568+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:17:34.434015
License: Public Domain

COMBS, Justice.
Appellant, George Williams, in his petition 'for divorce from his wife, Hazel Williams, charged her with the statutory grounds of cruel and inhuman treatment. She denied the allegations of the petition and, by counterclaim, asked for a divorce from bed and board. At the time the suit was filed in April, 1950, the parties had been married some 16 years, and had 'been separated for a little more than a year. They have one son, who is now 16 years old and who has lived with his father since the separation of his parents.
Appellant testified and took the deposition of his brother and one other witness. Although appellee is represented by counsel who cross-examined appellant and his witnesses, she did not testify and did not introduce any witnesses in her behalf.
The trial judge refused to grant appellant an absolute divorce, but did grant him a divorce from bed and board and awarded him custody of the child. The judgment directs that he pay to his wife the sum of $50 per month, and gives her the use of a dwelling house and the household goods acquired :by the parties during their marriage. We infer from the record that the dwelling is owned jointly by the parties, although it is not clear on this point.
Appellant complains of the trial court’s action in refusing him an absolute divorce. It would serve no useful purpose to elaborate on the testimony. It is sufficient to say that the uncontradicted evidence is that the wife is of a nagging, quarrelsome disposition, subject to occasional tantrums and the use of profane language. Appellant testified also that she withdrew money from their joint bank account, which was to be used in his business', and concealed the *167money from him. If Ais were all of Ae testimony we would have no- hesitancy in saying Aat appellant is entitled to an absolute divorce. But he was asked on cross-examination : “How many times have you whipped your wife?” and answered, “I don’t know.” He admitted he had slapped her “on plenty of occasions” and had struck her with his fist. He also admitted on cross-examination Aat he had 'been keeping company wiA anoAer woman, although it appears he Ad not start “going with her” until after his separation from his wife. We conclude Aat bo A parties are at fault, and Aat the trial court was correct in refusing to award appellant an absolute divorce.
We now Ascuss the propriety of Ae trial court’s action in awarding Ae wife alimony. Appellant cites the cases of Grubb v. Grubb, 310 Ky. 449, 220 S.W.2d 1000, and Bell v. Bell, 299 Ky. 7, 184 S.W.2d 124, in which it was held Aat where a husband is granted a divorce from bed and board, and the testimony shows Ae wife is more at fault than Ae husband, she is not entitled to alimony. Conceding this to be Ae correct rule, it is not applicable here. While it is difficult to judge Ae comparative fault of the parties in this case, we think it is fair to- say Aey are equally at fault. The case of Clay v. Clay, 301 Ky. 547, 191 S.W.2d 819, is more nearly in point. In Aat case it was held Aat Ae decree of absolute divorce awarded to Ae husband should have been limited to a divorce from bed and board!, and that as neiAer of Ae parties was wiAout fault, an allownce of alimony should have been made to the wife.
Appellant is somewhat evasive about the amount of his income, but he testified that for tax purposes for Ae year 1949 he reported an income of more than $2,000. We think Ae allowance of $50 per monA to Ae wife is reasonable.
In view of Ae fact the son is now living with his faAer, and refuses to live with his mother, Ae trial judge exercised a sound discretion in awarding custody of Ae son. te> Ae father.
We are also of Ae opinion the trial judge did not abu'se his discretion in permitting Ae wife to live in Ae dwelling owned by the parties. It has been held Aat a provision in a divorce decree awarding temporary occupancy of a dwelling to Ae wife does not violate KRS 403.060, which provides Aat no allowance to a wife shall divest Ae husband of fee simple to realty. Drane v. Drane, 304 Ky. 398, 200 S.W.2d 930, 931.
It is noted Aat Ae trial court has retained jurisdiction of the case. That part of the judgment permitting Ae wife to live in the dwelling, therefore, is temporary in nature. The trial court has authority to modify Ae- judgment, in Ae event of a change in Ae condition of Ae parties.
The judgment is affirmed.