Clark v. Clark

22 Pa. D. & C.2d 516, 1960 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 141
CourtPennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Alleghany County
DecidedMarch 30, 1960
Docketno. 4027
StatusPublished

This text of 22 Pa. D. & C.2d 516 (Clark v. Clark) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Alleghany County primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Clark v. Clark, 22 Pa. D. & C.2d 516, 1960 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 141 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1960).

Opinion

McKenna, J.,

This is a suit in equity by plaintiff against defendant for a support order in accordance with the terms of a separation agreement entered into between the parties, who were married, or for such other relief as the circumstances warrant.

The Pleadings

The complaint filed on October 1, 1959, contains these averments:

Defendant and plaintiff are husband and wife, having been married on May 10,1945. A daughter, Linda Clark, was born to the marriage on July 1, 1948. On April 30, 1957, the parties entered into a separation agreement by the terms of which defendant agreed to pay to plaintiff $600 per month, reduced however to $400 per month from the date of the agreement until August 1, 1961. At that time, according to the agreement, a $10,000 payment will be made to plaintiff. Defendant agreed to assign to plaintiff from his share of-his father’s estate $90,000 or one third of the share less $10,000, whichever is greater. The will creating the trust referred to contains a spendthrift clause. Defendant also undertook to create a trust and to [518]*518execute a will in order to carry out the terms of the agreement. He defaulted in the payments agreed to and revoked the will and trust agreement which he had executed in conformity with his contract. Pittsburgh National Bank was named as trustee under his trust agreement and that same institution is also one of four trustees of the estate created by defendant’s father for him.

Plaintiff asks for relief under the Act of April 24, 1947, P. L. 100, 20 PS §301.12, and the Act of December 15, 1955, P. L. 878, as amended, 48 PS §132, and that an order be entered directing Pittsburgh National Bank, successor trustee, to pay $400 per month to her from the share of J. Leonard Clark in the estate of his deceased father, David L. Clark, said payments to continue until August 1, 1961, when they shall be increased to $600 per month. She asks further that the Trust Company be directed to pay past due sums and to impound for her the sum of $10,000 due under the separation agreement, of April 30, 1957, and the further sum of $90,000 or 30 percent of her husband’s share of his father’s estate less $10,000, whichever shall be greater. Complainant also requests that defendant be required to establish a trust fund as he agreed, and for such other relief as may be required in the circumstances.

The Answer

Defendant’s answer to the complaint denies that the parties are husband and wife and asserts that they were divorced by decree of the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada dated May 22, 1959, also that because of defendant’s changed circumstances he cannot abide by the terms of the separation agreement and that at the time of execution of this agreement he was emotionally disturbed. The existence of defendant’s interest in his father’s estate is admitted, but it [519]*519is asserted that the spendthrift clause and the fact that defendant’s estate may be divested by his death prior to age 50 prevent attachment of this interest by plaintiff. Defendant therefore asks us to dismiss the complaint filed.

After hearing a petition was presented to this court asking that Pittsburgh National Bank, trustee of estate of David L. Clark, be made a party to the proceedings. The bank filed an answer asking that the rule issued to show cause why it should not be made a party be discharged for these reasons: (1) The bank is not a necessary party; (2) it being only one of four trustees should not be added unless its cotrustees are also named.

The rule was made returnable March 20, 1960. After argument thereon the rule was discharged.

The issue raised by the pleadings are these:

May this court afford relief to plaintiff? If so, what is the nature of the benefits to be awarded her and against whom may these be enforced?

The Testimony

The case was heard December 29, 1959, before Judge J. Prank McKenna, Jr., sitting as chancellor. Jane C. Clark testified in her own behalf. William R. Ralph, a trust officer of Pittsburgh National Bank, testified to the extent of the interest of J. Leonard Clark in his father’s estate, and Alan D. Riester, a member of the bar of Allegheny County, related some relevant facts, particularly concerning plaintiff’s alleged divorce from defendant in Nevada. He said that he had advised plaintiff not to enter her appearance in that case and that plaintiff followed his advice. It was agreed at the trial in the case at bar that the Nevada divorce should be ignored here. We have therefore treated the parties as husband and wife. It is apparent in any event that a decree of a sister State is [520]*520not entitled to recognition under the full faith and credit clause of the Federal Constitution if such decree was entered without jurisdiction over defendant. Loiacono v. Loiacono, 179 Pa. Superior Ct. 387 (1955).

From the testimony produced at the hearing we make the following

Findings of Fact

1. Defendant, J. Leonard Clark, and plaintiff, Jane C. Clark, are husband and wife, having been married on May 10, 1945, at Pittsburgh, Allegheny County. One daughter was born to the marriage, namely, Linda Clark, on July 1,1948.

2. Plaintiff now resides with her daughter Linda at 632 Field Club Road, Fox Chapel, Allegheny County. Defendant resides at 11401 Montana, Los Angeles 49, Calif.

3. The parties separated in February of 1956 and have not lived together since that time. On April 30, 1957, they entered into a separation agreement by the terms of which defendant agreed to pay to plaintiff $400 per month until August 1, 1961, and $600 per month thereafter. On said date defendant was also to pay plaintiff $10,000 in cash. • The agreement assigns to the wife $90,000 or 30 percent of defendant’s share in his father’s estate less $10,000, whichever shall be greater.

4. Defendant complied with the aforesaid agreement until April of 1959 by paying to plaintiff $400 per month. At that time defendant ceased making payments to plaintiff. He has repudiated his agreement and revoked a trust agreement and a will, which he had executed to carry out the terms of the contract.

5. David L. Clark, defendant’s father, executed a will dated September 9, 1937. After his death on February 3, 1939, the will was admitted to probate [521]*521and is of record in the office of the Register of Wills of Allegheny County in Will Book Yol. 240, p. 420. By the terms of this instrument decedent created a spendthrift trust for his son, J. Leonard Clark, defendant herein. Defendant’s share of his father’s estate as of May 27, 1959, was $366,477. On attaining age 50 the trust terminates as to defendant and he then becomes entitled to his share absolutely and free of trust. Defendant will be 50 years of age on April 3, 1961.

6. Prior to his marriage to plaintiff, defendant had been married to one Dorothy G. Clark. This marriage occurred on March 11, 1936 and terminated in separation in 1945 and divorce thereafter. Two children were born of the union, Barbara Elaine, now aged 22, and Sherry, now aged 18. By the terms of a separation agreement dated January 30, 1945, defendant agreed to pay for the support of his first wife and family at least the sum of $600 per month until 1963.

7. Plaintiff’s expenses amount to $654 per month.

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Loiacono v. LOIACONO
116 A.2d 881 (Superior Court of Pennsylvania, 1955)
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70 P.2d 1059 (Washington Supreme Court, 1937)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
22 Pa. D. & C.2d 516, 1960 Pa. Dist. & Cnty. Dec. LEXIS 141, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/clark-v-clark-pactcomplallegh-1960.