Hopkins v. Hopkins

39 Wis. 167 | Wis. | 1875

Cole, J.

The moving papers used in support of the second rule to show cause why the judgment of divorce should not be vacated, or modified in certain particulars, present, as it seems to us, no case for setting aside the judgment. It is claimed that tbe affidavits sbow that the judgment was obtained in pursuance of a collusive agreement, or by fraud and imposition practiced upon the defendant. But this position is clearly not sustained by anything found in the record. It is true, the defendant states in substance, in his affidavit, that at the time the action was commenced, he was sick and unable to attend to business; that he put in no answer and entered'no appearance in the cause; that he saw the attorney of the plaintiff by the appointment of such attorney, and entered into ar agreement with him concerning the suit and the amount of alimony which was to be paid the plaintiff upon the divorce being granted, and also in respect to what articles of personal property or household furniture the plaintiff should receive; and that he then agreed not to oppose the granting of a divorce. But all this is flatly contradicted by the plaintiff in her affidavit, who positively denies that she ever made any agreement or had any understanding with the defendant of any kind in reference to the suit, or in respect to the amount of alimony which she was to receive, or in regard to the custody of the children; and she expressly denies that she ever authorized her attorney or any other person to make any agreement or to have any understanding concerning the action, except as stated by her in a subsequent part of her affidavit, which is not material on this point. The burden of proving the fraud or collusive agreement was upon the defendant; and it is certainly impossible to say that he has established the fact that he was in any wise imposed upon, or that any collusive agreement was entered into in respect to the divorce. We are therefore relieved from considering the question whether an agreement not to oppose the granting of a divorce, and to pay a stipulated sum for alimony, would amount to a fraud upon the law, and constitute a sufficient ground for setting aside the divorce. It is sufficient to say that no such case has been established by the evidence; nor have any circumstances been shown from which fraud in respect to the divorce can be inferred. As a matter of course, -a collusive agreement between the parties to procure a divorce when no breach of matrimonial duty had been committed, would be a fraud upon the court and could not be sanctioned. But that is not the case before us; and therefore the application to set aside the judgment may be dismissed with the remark that no reason whatever was shown for granting that relief.

The original judgment of divorce was, however, modified in some of its provisions. The court ordered that the custody of the boy, Emery E. Hopkins, which was awarded the plaintiff, should be given to the defendant. No complaint is made of this modification of the judgment. The court further ordered that the custody of the daughter, Nosa Ann Hopkins, which had been originally given to the plaintiff, should be taken from both parents and awarded to Andrew Willard, who was appointed her guardian for a year, and was entrusted with the care and control of her person, and with her education and support, under the direction of the court; and the defendant was ordered to pay the guardian $250 a year for the support and education of the daughter. It seems to us the court had no authority, in this action for a divorce, thus to take the custody and control of a child from both parents and give it to a stranger. The statute provides that the court, upon adjudging a divorce, may make such further judgment as it shall deem just and proper concerning the care, custody and maintenance of the minor children of the parties, and may determine with which of the parties the children, or any of them, shall remain, having due regard to the age and sex of such children. Sec. 19, ch. 111, N. S. The court is authorized, on the petition of either of the parties, to revise and alter such judgment concerning the care, custody and maintenance of the children, or any of them, and make a new judgment concerning the same, as the circumstances of the parents and the benefit of the children shall require. Sec. 20. The statute evidently contemplates that the -ca're and custody of the children shall be awarded to one or both of the parents, due regard being had to the age and sex of the children, and to the character, occupation and 'circumstances of the parent or parents. Welch v. Welch, 33 Wis., 534. It is a general principle of the law of divorce in this country, that the courts, either of law or equity, possess no powers except such as are conferred by statute; and therefore authority for the action of the court in that class of cases must be found in the statute, and cannot be looked for elsewhere. Barker v. Dayton, 28 Wis., 367. In a proceeding for the appointment of a chancery or probate guardian, where the statutory or general jurisdiction of the court is invoked, it may be competent for the court to take the care and custody of an infant from either or both of the parents, and award it to a third person; and this is sometimes done when the welfare of the child will thereby be subserved. But that is a different proceeding, calling into exercise larger power and discretion than the proceeding before us. Here 'the power and discretion of the court to award the care and custody of the children are limited to the parents; and to one or the other should the custody of Rosa Ann Hopkins have been given. Wé are unable to say, upon the evidence before us, that either parent is unfit to be entrusted with that charge; but this matter will be remitted to the circuit court for the exercise of its discretion in view of all the circumstances. If the care and custody of the daughter shall be awarded to the mother, then the defendant should be ordered to pay the plaintiff such a sum for her support as may seem just and proper, /p

The court likewise modified the judgment in respect to the household furniture and other articles awarded the plaintiff. No serious complaint is made of the judgment as it now stands in that regard, and we are inclined to think it is right. The court awarded the plaintiff $3,000 alimony, which we consider an undue proportion of the husband’s estate. The defendant has made a statement of the property which he owned when tbe suit was commenced and tbe judgment entered, and has affixed to it a valuation wbicb amounts in tbe aggregate to tbe sum of $7,575. Tbe decided weight of testimony tends to sbow tbat tbis is a fair valuation of bis property, and tbe income or profits of bis business seems to be small and ratber uncertain. In view of these facts we think tbe sum of $2,000 is all tbe defendant should be required to pay for alimony. This is about tbe proportion of tbe husband’s estate wbicb tbis court has awarded, so far as any rule can be deduced from tbe cases decided. Cole v. Cole, 27 Wis., 531; Moul v. Moul, 30 id., 203; Williams v. Williams, 36 id., 362. Tbe defendant will be required to pay tbe costs of these appeals in tbis court, and also tbe costs in tbe court below. Tbe payment of tbe $2,000 alimony can be ordered and arranged by tbe court so as not to be unduly burdensome upon tbe defendant.

Tbe counsel for tbe plaintiff lays stress upon tbe fact tbat tbe defendant bad offered to pay $3,000 as alimony, and insists tbat be should be held to bis offer. But under tbe circumstances we do not feel inclined to attach much importance to tbe proposition. Tbe evidence shows what tbe defendant is worth, and bis ability to earn money, and upon tbat evidence alimony is awarded.

It follows from these views tbat tbe order of April 23,1875, must be reversed, and tbe cause must be remanded to tbe circuit court, with directions to modify tbe original judgment of divorce so as to conform to tbis opinion.

By the Oowrt. — It is so ordered.