Collins v. Collins

485 So. 2d 956
CourtLouisiana Court of Appeal
DecidedMarch 10, 1986
Docket85-CA-617
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 485 So. 2d 956 (Collins v. Collins) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Collins v. Collins, 485 So. 2d 956 (La. Ct. App. 1986).

Opinion

485 So.2d 956 (1986)

Kim Monica Killebrew, Wife of Jeffrey C. COLLINS
v.
Jeffrey C. COLLINS.

No. 85-CA-617.

Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fifth Circuit.

March 10, 1986.
Writ Denied May 12, 1986.

*957 Floyd J. Reed, Reed & Reed, New Orleans, for plaintiff-appellant.

Philip R. Riegel, Jr., Parlongue & Riegel, New Orleans, for defendant-appellee.

Before KLIEBERT, BOWES and DUFRESNE, JJ.

KLIEBERT, Judge.

This is a suspensive appeal by the wife, Monica Killebrew Collins, from a judgment of the district court decreeing a separation from bed and board between her and her husband, Jeffrey C. Collins. The judgment found the parties to be mutually at fault and provided for the settlement of alimony and community property rights. For the reasons which follow, we dismiss the appeal as to all parts of the judgment except the judgment of separation from bed and board and as to that judgment affirm the trial court.

The wife filed for a separation from bed and board on December 17, 1984. The petition alleged as grounds for the separation cruel treatment and the wife's abandonment by the husband on November 24, 1984. It also prayed for alimony pendente lite and use of the family home. The husband filed an answer denying the allegations of the wife's petition. Incorporated in the answer was a reconventional demand for a separation based on alleged cruel treatment of the wife.

The rule for alimony pendente lite was heard on February 28, 1985. After hearing the testimony of both parties, the court ordered the husband to pay alimony pendente lite of $325.00 bi-weekly and maintain Mrs. Collins on his hospitalization policy.

On June 5, 1985, while the deposition of Mr. Collins was being taken, the litigants entered into negotiations to settle the marital dispute. Although the case was not set for trial on the merits, the parties asked and the court agreed to hear the merits at that time. At the commencement of the hearing the parties stipulated as follows:

"MR. RIEGEL:
... evidence—the stipulation is as follows: we're going to take up the case this morning on the merits for a judgment of separation on mutual fault. Mr. Collins will pay to Mrs. Collins in satisfaction of alimony and community rights, the sum of five thousand dollars cash; there will be no further alimony rights on behalf of either party, either pendente lite or permanent. Mr. Collins will assume all community obligations except as otherwise provided for in this stipulation. Mr. Collins will pay the uncovered portion of certain covered—insurance covered medical expenses, this was insurance with his former employee, incurred by the wife and the total maximum of those expenses that she has incurred, to be submitted to insurance—or that have already been submitted, are thirteen hundred dollars, and that's the extent of the gross amount that we would be responsible for the deductible portion. Mrs. Collins will waive any community rights, or any rights to the husband's separate proceeds, from a lawsuit pending—lately pending in the Fourteenth Judicial District Court for Calcasieu Parish, entitled `Collins versus Ritter and B.J. Trucking and Contracting, Inc.,' that each party will be responsible for his or her own attorney fees in this proceeding, and any debt incurred by a party subsequent to the physical separation, which was on or about 12/1 of 1984, will be the separate debt of that party. Mrs. Collins will receive the 1983 Buick Regal automobile, and she will assume the mortgage indebtedness on that automobile, commencing with the June payment—June of 1985. Mr. Collins will make up the past-due payments; there are three past-due payments. There is a Plymouth Reliant automobile which is mortgaged, which is going to be repossessed by the creditor— the purchase price hasn't been paid for it, okay, and the title has never been transferred.
* * * * * *
(AN OFF THE RECORD DISCUSSION BETWEEN COUNSEL)
MR. RIEGEL:
*958 Yes, and the restraining order that was issued against the funds received by Mr. Collins, will be dismissed as well as all rules that are presently pending before the court filed by both parties. Payment of the five thousand dollars will be made upon the—after the signing of the judgment.
THE COURT:
That's so stipulated, Mr. Plaia?
MR. PLAIA:
Yes, your Honor."
Then Mr. Collins testified under oath as follows:
"MR. PLAIA:
Q. Mr. Collins, you're presently married to Kim Killebrew Collins?
A. Yes, I am.
Q. Were you married to her on or about August 21st, 1982, in New Orleans?
A. Yes, that's correct.
Q. And at the time of the filing of her petition, you and her were both domiciled in Jefferson Parish?
A. That's correct.
Q. And no children were born of the marriage?
A. That's correct.
Q. And Mr. Collins, is it not true that during the course of the marriage, you perpetrated certain acts of cruelty against your wife?
A. That's correct.
Q. And is it also not true that she also perpetrated certain acts of cruelty against you?
A. That's correct.
Q. And that the acts of cruelty that you perpetrated against each other would constitute mutual fault?
A. That's correct.
MR. PLAIA:
I have no other questions, your Honor.
THE COURT:
MR. Riegel?

DIRECT EXAMINATION

MR. RIEGEL:
Q. Mr. Collins, did you and your wife separate?
A. Yes, we did.
Q. And when did you separate?
A. We separated December 1st of 1984.
Q. And have you lived continuously separate and apart since that time?
A. Yes, we have.
Q. And the irreconcilable differences between you are such as to render your continuing to live together insupportable?
A. There are such irreconcilable differences.
Q. And you heard the stipulation that was entered into the record ...
A. Yes, sir.
Q.... prior to the hearing? You're in agreement with the terms of that stipulation?
A. Yes, I am.
MR. RIEGEL:
I have no further questions.
THE COURT:
You may step down, sir."

Thereafter, Mrs. Collins testified under oath as follows:

"MR. PLAIA:
Q. Mrs. Collins, did you hear your husband testify regarding the circumstances which led to the breakup of your marriage?
A. Yes, I did.
Q. Do you agree with his testimony, ma'am?
A. Yes, I do.
Q. Do you also agree to the stipulation that was entered into the record regarding the partition of the community between you and he?
A. Yes, I do.
MR. PLAIA:
I have no other questions, your Honor.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Jones v. Gillen
564 So. 2d 1274 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1990)
Batiste v. Batiste
548 So. 2d 14 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1989)
Penning v. Bouzon
524 So. 2d 1 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1987)
Petrovich v. Petrovich
513 So. 2d 411 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1987)
Harrison v. Harrison
503 So. 2d 116 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1987)
Loe v. McNamara
501 So. 2d 298 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1986)
Whiteley v. Whiteley
490 So. 2d 1128 (Louisiana Court of Appeal, 1986)
Killebrew v. Collins
488 So. 2d 203 (Supreme Court of Louisiana, 1986)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
485 So. 2d 956, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/collins-v-collins-lactapp-1986.