Klotz v. Klotz

This was an action in the Ottawa Common Pleas for divorce, Marie A. Klotz being plaintiff and William S. Klotz, defendant. The evidence showed the husband to have in his name two pieces of real estate. They were purchased before marriage, and the money with which to make the down payment was obtained from his father, upon cognovit note. The husband owed more upon these properties than when he purchased them. The undisputed evidence showed that Wm. Klotz was earning less than $100 per month. All of the real estate was in Lucas County.

Upon the trial, Mrs. Klotz was granted a divorce, the custody of minor children, and an allowance of $50 a month for the children’s support, which was made a lien upon the real estate in the name of Klotz; and she was allowed $1000 alimony, payable $150 in cash, $250 in one year, $250 in two years, and $350 in three years, all made a lien upon said real estate; Mrs. Klotz was given all of the household goods, part of which belonged to her before marriage and costing about $1400, part of which belonged to him before marriage, and part of which were purchased.

Error proceedings were prosecuted by Wm. Klotz, it being claimed that the trial court had exhausted the earning capacity of the defendant in allawing alimony for the support of the children; that under 11990 GC., the alimony allowed must be proportionate to the property of Klotz; that he had only a naked legal title to the real estate and no equity in it, and therefore it was not a basis for the allowance of alimony under said statute.

That there was, therefore, no power in the court to grant the lump sum of $1000 alimony to the wife, payable in installments as aforesaid; and that the court erred in making said •lump sum of alimony for the wife and the monthly installments for the support of the children a lien upon the real estate in Lucas County.

The Court of Appeals Judges for the Third District, sitting in place of those of the Sixth District, affirmed the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas upon the authority of Lape v. Lape, 99 OS 143.

A further question is involved in the case, in that the husband sought to make amends in hi sanswer for his misconduct toward his wife and sought a reconciliation. This was renewed at the opening of the trial, and at the close of the trial; Mrs. Klotz at all times spurned the offers of her husband. It is claimed that the conduct of Mrs. Klotz under the circumstances, made her technically a deserter under the rule of Cadwell v. Cadwell, 20 O. C. C. (N. S.) 483.