38 Wash. 605 | Wash. | 1905
Respondent commenced this action against appellant to secure a divorce, and an award of the community property. Appellant appeared by an answer denying- the allegations of abandonment and nonsupport, and interposing a cross-complaint for a divorce. The divorce was granted, solely upon the ground of abandonment, and all of the community property was awarded to respondent. From the decree thus rendered, .defendant appeals to this court.
It was admitted that the appellant had gone to Alaska, leaving his wife in Seattle;, that he had corresponded with her for a while; but eventually ceased for' over a year to answer her letters, or communicate with her in any manner, or to send her any money. She was, however, in possession of their property in Seattle. As there was a substantial conflict in the evidence as to some of the material questions involved, and as the trial court had the advantage of the presence of the parties and witnesses before it, We are not inclined to disturb the findings of that court. Appellant contends that the community propterty should have been divided, and not awarded entirely to the respondent. The court found the value of the property of these parties to be $3,500, with encumbrances to the amount of something over $1,200. The statute authorizes the trial court, where a divorce is granted, to dispose of the property of the parties, “as shall appear just and equitable, having regard to the respective merits of the parties, and to the condition in which they will be left by such divorce, and to the party through whom the property was acquired.” Bal. Code, § 5723. This justifies an
The judgment and decree of the lower court is affirmed.
