12 N.W.2d 368 | Neb. | 1943
This is a suit to obtain an injunction against the plaintiff, enjoining the collection of certain temporary alimony payments awarded the plaintiff in a divorce action. The trial court found for the defendant and enjoined the collection of the questioned payments. Plaintiff appeals.
The record shows that Elizabeth H. Wolfe commenced a suit for a divorce against her husband, Warren B. Wolfe, on
■ The statute providing for temporary alimony states in part: “In every suit brought, either for a divorce or for a separation, the court may, in its discretion, require the husband to pay any sum necessary to enable the wife to carry on or defend the suit during its pendency; * * * .” Comp. St. 1929, sec. 42-308. It is evident therefore that the district court in its discretion could have ordered the payment of temporary alimony up to the date the final order was entered and that the meaning of the words “pending the final hearing,” as used in the trial judge’s order, are in no way limited by the statute providing for the allowance of temporary alimony.
The term “final hearing” seems to have been given several meanings dependent upon the nature of the situation existing when the term was defined. It has been said that the hearing in equity is equivalent to the trial of an action at law. In other words, the term “hearing” applies to suits
In Babcock v. Wolf, 70 Ia. 676, 28 N. W. 490, the court said: “The trial of a chancery suit is called a hearing, and, technically considered, this includes not only the introduction of evidence and the arguments of the solicitors, but the pronouncing of the decree by the chancellor; * * * .”
But when the word “hearing” is qualified by the word “final,” it clearly denotes the proceeding by which the case was absolutely determined and necessarily includes the final order or decree. A hearing that does not result in a final order is not a final hearing. The one is therefore a necessary attribute of the other. See Miller v. Tobin, 18 Fed. 609; McArthur Bros. Co. v. Commonwealth, 197 Mass. 137, 83 N. E. 334.
Can it be said that the hearing held on May 2, 1939, was a final hearing in the absence of a final order or decree disposing of the issues of fact and law raised at such hearing ? If the decree had been appealed or a new trial required for any reason, could it reasonably be said that the hearing of May 2, 1939, was a final hearing? We think not. The use of the words “final hearing” in the order fixing temporary alimony contemplated the proceeding by which the issues were finally disposed of on their merits. The rendition and entry of the final decree on July 31, 1939, was an integral part of the final hearing and it cannot be successfully contended that the final hearing was completed prior to that date.
In this connection it must be noted that the district- court is authorized by section 42-308, Comp. St. 1929, to require the husband to pay temporary alimony during the pendency of the action. While it is within the discretion of the trial
We think the trial court erred in failing to dismiss the defendant’s petition for an injunction. The permanent injunction granted by the trial court is therefore vacated and the cause of action dismissed. An attorney’s fee of $100 is allowed plaintiff’s attorneys for services rendered in this court.
Reversed and dismissed.