O'Malley v. Fricke

80 N.W. 436, 104 Wis. 280, 1899 Wisc. LEXIS 269

Opinion

Winslow, J.

Two contentions are made by the .appellants: first, that the order of publication in the divorce action was void, and hence that no jurisdiction was obtained by the court in that action; and, second, that, even if jurisdiction to render judgment for divorce was obtained, still the court could not transfer the title to real estate when the only service upon the defendant was substituted service.

It seems entirely plain that, following the decision of this; court in Beaupre v. Brigham, 19 Wis. 436, the order of publication in this case was fatally defective, and hence that no jurisdiction was obtained by the publication of the summons. The statute governing service by publication (sec. 2640, E. S. 1818) provides that the order shall direct the publication of the summons and also contain a direction that a copy of the summons and complaint be deposited in the postofS.ce, addressed to the defendant, “ or a direction that such deposit may be omitted because the defendant’s postoffice address cannot be ascertained.” The order in the present case contained neither a direction for mailing, nor a direction that mailing might be omitted. It avails not to say that it was shown by the affidavit for publication that the defendant’s postoffice address could not be ascertained. This is insufficient. There must also be a judicial finding of that fact contained in the order. As this requirement is jurisdictional, the result follows that no jurisdiction was obtained of the defendant by the publication of the summons. The lack of jurisdiction affirmatively appearing from the record, it may be taken advantage of upon collateral attack. Cody v. Cody, 98 Wis. 445. This ruling is decisive of the case, and renders unnecessary the consideration of the second question raised by the appellant. A verdict for the defendants should have been directed.

By the Cowri.— Judgment reversed, and action remanded for a new trial.