From Casetext: Smarter Legal Research

In re Marriage of Smith

Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, Division Three
May 24, 1983
652 S.W.2d 743 (Mo. Ct. App. 1983)

Opinion

No. 46067.

May 24, 1983.

APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT, CITY OF ST. LOUIS, ANNA C. FORDER, J.

Jack F. Allen, St. Louis, for appellant.

Bertram Cooper, St. Louis, for respondent.


Former husband appeals from a decree of dissolution of marriage. We affirm as modified.

On appeal, the husband alleges that the trial court erred in (1) dividing the marital property, (2) ordering that appellant pay the marital debts, and (3) ordering appellant to continue his employment.

After reviewing the record, we find no error in the division of the marital property. An extended opinion on this issue would have no precedential value, and so we affirm that portion of the decree in accordance with Rule 84.16(b).

Appellant complains in his second point that the trial court was without authority to allocate payment of the marital debts. Although the trial court is not required to do so, allocation of the marital debts between the parties is the better practice because it serves to alleviate future dissention. N.J.W. v. W.E.W., 584 S.W.2d 148, 151 (Mo.App. 1979); see Conrad v. Bowers, 533 S.W.2d 614, 623 (Mo.App. 1975). Furthermore, the existence and extent of marital debt and who will be responsible for payment are factors considered by the trial court in establishing a fair division of the marital assets. In re the Marriage of Kluba, 627 S.W.2d 920 (Mo.App.E.D. 1983). Appellant's complaint is without merit.

Appellant's third point is well taken. It is well settled that a court of law cannot compel a person to continue with his employment. See Clyatt v. United States, 197 U.S. 207, 215-218, 25 S.Ct. 429, 430-31, 49 L.Ed. 726 (1905); Shaw v. Fisher, 113 S.C. 287, 102 S.E. 325, 326-327 (S.C. 1920); Philadelphia Ball Club v. Lajoie, 202 Pa. 210, 51 A. 973, 975 (Pa. 1902); Kemp v. Division No. 241, Amalgamated Ass'n of Street and Electric Ry. Employees of America, 255 Ill. 213, 99 N.E. 389, 392 (Ill. 1912). Therefore, the decree is modified to eliminate that provision.

The judgment of the trial court is affirmed as modified.

Respondent's request for damages for frivolous appeal is denied.

REINHARD and CRIST, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

In re Marriage of Smith

Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, Division Three
May 24, 1983
652 S.W.2d 743 (Mo. Ct. App. 1983)
Case details for

In re Marriage of Smith

Case Details

Full title:IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF ADAM SMITH, APPELLANT, AND EDNA LOUISE SMITH…

Court:Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, Division Three

Date published: May 24, 1983

Citations

652 S.W.2d 743 (Mo. Ct. App. 1983)

Citing Cases

Smith v. Smith

Nevertheless, when appropriate, the courts should allocate the debts between the parties. In Re Marriage of…

Smith v. Smith

§ 512.080, RSMo 1984 Suppl. The cases cited by appellant do not deal with the proposition that an appeal…