Main v. Main

180 Iowa 616
CourtSupreme Court of Iowa
DecidedJune 25, 1917
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 180 Iowa 616 (Main v. Main) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Iowa primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Main v. Main, 180 Iowa 616 (iowa 1917).

Opinion

Preston, J.

1. divorce: jurisdiction: good-evidence51'1™06: The parties were married in November, 1911, anil lived together about 77 ° yix luon^ls? when they separated, defendant going to a hotel in Colfax to live, and plaintiff continuing to live in the house formerly occupied by them. Both parties continued to reside in Colfax, Iowa, until about the last of November, 1915, when plaintiff removed from Colfax to Fort Dodge, and, as plaintiff contends, took up her jiernianent residence in Fort Dodge, and has been living there ever since. The petition, as originally filed, asking separate maintenance, was filed December 28, 1915, and her amendment, asking a divorce, was filed January 12, 1916. This was the next day after defendant had filed his objections to the jurisdiction and motions. The original petition charged cruel and inhuman treatinent and desertion.

One of the main points relied upon, and, as we view it, the turning point in the case, is whether, under the record, plaintiff was a resident in good faith of Webster County, Iowa, and entitled to bring her action there. We may as well discuss and determine that point now, and then take up the other questions presented. The statute, Section 3171, Code, 1897, provides, in substance, that the district court in the county where either party resides has jurisdiction of the subject matter in divorce cases. The defendant, appellee, concedes that, where an action for divorce [619]*619is originally brought by a bona fide resident oí one county against a bona fide resident of another county, the district court of the county in which either of the parties resides has jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties. He concedes, also, on the question as to whether plaintiff, appellant, was a good-faith resident of Webster County, that the intention of the party is controlling. He says, however, that this intention is to be determined not only by what the party says, but it must be determined from all the facts and circumstances, as disclosed by the record.

Plaintiff, appellant, cites Todhunter v. De Graff, 164 Iowa 567, as holding that, in divorce proceedings, no particular length of time is required to enable a residence to be acquired by the plaintiff in such a suit. Defendant concedes this proposition, provided such residence is in good faith. Defendant’s contention is that the evidence does not show a good-faith residence, but that it is more in harmony with the theory that plaintiff came to Fort Dodge for the purpose of attempting to confer jurisdiction upon the Webster district court, in order that defendant should be compelled to litigate the question away from his home . county. The defendant does not dispute plaintiff’s proposition that, under the authority of Sylvester v. Sylvester, 109 Iowa 401, and other cases, the general rule that the domicile of the husband is the domicile of the wife does not apply in divorce cases.

The only evidence introduced on the question as to plaintiff’s good-faith residence in Webster County is that of the plaintiff herself, although the defendant claims that other matters in regard to prior litigation in Jasper County, the prior residence of plaintiff; should be considered on this point. Counsel for plaintiff contend that plaintiff was cabed as a witness for the defendant on his objections and motion to dismiss, and the defendant is bound thereby; while defendant contends that she was called by him only [620]*620for the purpose of cross-examination of her affidavit filed with her petition, in which she gave testimony in support of her application for temporary alimony. The so-called cross-examination of plaintiff as a witness goes beyond the scope of her'affidavit, we think. The substance of her affidavit is that she is without means, and has not paid her attorneys, and is without means to support herself pending the trial or procure witnesses, and is unable to borrow money, and that defendant is worth about $125,000'. Nothing is said about her residence. In some cases, under such circumstances, it has been held that the party becomes the witness of the party exceeding the cross-examination. But this point is not made, and it may not be very material, in view, of the fact that her testimony is the only direct evidence on the subject. She testifies, as a witness in court, substantially:

“I have been living in Fort Dodge about two months. I occupy five rooms. I went into those rooms about two months ago. I moved to Fort Dodge from Colfax; have been living in the latter place five years. I moved nearly all my personal effects to Fort Dodge from Colfax; left a few things in Colfax, part of them in the house .that belongs to Mr. Main, and in which I had been living, and part of them in storage in Colfax. I brought the greater part of my goods to Fort Dodge. Am holding the key to theColfax house until I get the remainder of my goods away from the house. My goods were shipped to Fort Dodge from Colfax about two months ago; I had them coming just as I could see fit to get them out. I don’t remember when the last shipment was made; I have shipped them as I have had money to ship them with. J rent the house by the month, just a month at a' time. I do not expect to ever go back to Colfax if I can help it. I brought two beds, two dressers, a sofa, bookcases, china closet, table, chairs, rocking chairs, mirrors, dishes, everything that was [621]*621contained in a small house. I have no relatives living in Fort Dodge. I am the same Jessie E. Main who was defendant in the suit of John W. Main in the Jasper district court at the October, 1912, term of that court, and I brought action for separate maintenance in Jasper County for the April, 1913, term of court, and I filed an application in April, 1915, for modification of the decree in the divorce suit, and I dismissed the suit for separate maintenance and the application for modification of the decree in the divorce suit. 1 did not tell Mr. Main I was going away nor give the key to the Colfax house to Mr. Main because 1 did not think 1 had to. Q. Mrs. Main, what purpose or object did you have when you came to Fort Dodge in reference to living here? A. Why, stay here, living here, making -it my home here. Q. How long? To live here and make it your home how long? A. As long as I felt satisfied to live here and as long as I could live here in peace.”

The defendant testified in regard to his property. It appears that, in October, 1912, the defendant herein brought an action for divorce in Jasper County, in which the plaintiff in this case claimed and was granted temporary alimony, and, in her answer in that case, she alleged that the plaintiff. therein, the defendant herein, had wilfully deserted her, and was guilty of cruel and inhuman treatment, and asked for support and alimony so long as her husband continued to reside separate and apart from her. That case was tried in October, 1912, and the petition of plaintiff therein was dismissed. Later, and at the April, 1913, term of the -Jasper district court, this plaintiff’s application for attorney’s fees and support was tried, and attorney’s fees allowed to her, and support in the sum of $50 a month, commencing December 1, 1912. The defendant herein appealed that cause to the Supreme Court, and it was affirmed in January, 1915. 168 Iowa 353. April 26, 1915, the plaintiff herein filed in that cause an application for a [622]*622modification of that decree, and an amendment thereto in May, 1915. That proceeding was dismissed by the plaintiff herein November 2, 1915.

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180 Iowa 616, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/main-v-main-iowa-1917.