Opinion

Brown v. Brown

  • 3 Thomp. & Cook 477
  • 8 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 443
Court
New York Supreme Court
Filed
May 15, 1874
Status
Published
Author
Barnard
On the bench
Barnard
Cited by
0 cases

The opinion

Barnard, P. J.

This is an action for a divorce. The summons was served by publication. Shortly after the decree was entered, granting an absolute divorce in favor of plaintiff, the court, upon proof that the defendant did not receive any copy summons by mail, or any notice of the publication thereof, and upon affidavits showing a defense, opened the judgment, and permitted defendant to defend; from this order the plaintiff appeals.

By section 135, subdivision 5 of the Code, it is provided, that “ The defendant against whom publication is ordered, or his representatives, on application and sufficient cause shown, at any time before judgment, must be allowed to defend the action, and except in an action for divorce, may in like manner, upon good cause shown, be allowed to defend after judgment, or at any time within one year after notice thereof, and within seven years after its rendition, on such terms as may be just.” This section deprives the court of power to grant the order appealed from.

In all actions, except for divorce, after judgment, the defendant may be allowed to defend within one year after notice of the judgment, and within seven years after its rendition. The legislature doubtless intended to provide for new relations under the judgment — another marriage and birth of children.

The character of the person who should marry such divorced *478 plaintiff, and the legitimacy of his or her children born of such a marriage, are protected by this statute. This exception as to divorce was not in the Code of 1848. Code 1848, § 114. It was first inserted in 1849, and has never been altered since. Code of 1849, § 135, subd. 6.

The order should be reverse 1, and the motion denied without costs.

Order reversed.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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