Summary
reversing an order denying a motion to set aside a final judgment of dissolution of marriage where the record clearly demonstrated that the appellant did not receive notice of the final hearing
Summary of this case from Jones v. Gov't Emps. Ins. Co.Opinion
No. 75-364.
January 9, 1976.
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Broward County, L. Clayton Nance, J.
Thomas E. Hunt, Mueller Hunt, Fort Lauderdale, for appellant.
Mark S. Roth, Miami Beach, for appellee.
Appellant seeks review of an order denying a motion to vacate and set aside final judgment of dissolution of marriage for failure to give notice of final hearing.
Upon review of the record on appeal and after consideration of the briefs and oral argument of counsel for the respective parties, we are of the opinion there was a gross abuse of discretion by the trial court in declining to vacate and set aside final judgment of dissolution of marriage under Rule 1.540, Fla.RCP, as it is clear that appellant did not receive notice of the final hearing.
Accordingly, the final judgment of dissolution of marriage is vacated and set aside, and the cause remanded for further proceedings.
Reversed and remanded.
CROSS and OWEN, JJ., concur.
DOWNEY, J., concurs specially, with opinion.
I concur in everything said in the majority opinion, but in addition on remand I would direct that appellee amend his counter petition if he claims a special equity in the jointly held property of the parties. As the pleadings are now cast there is no pleading basis for an adjudication of a special equity in said property.