Summary
In Knott v. Knott (6 App. Div. 589) it was held that the defendant, who had notice of the motion for alimony and counsel fee, who, therefore, appeared before the referee and contested it, and who appeared before the court when the final order therefor was made, but who then left the State so that the order was not served upon him, was nevertheless in contempt, and that his answer could be stricken out, but not his appearance.
Summary of this case from Harney v. HarneyOpinion
June Term, 1896.
Percy L. Klock, for the appellant.
William P. Burr, for the respondent.
Present — VAN BRUNT, P.J., BARRETT, RUMSEY, O'BRIEN and INGRAHAM, JJ.
The defendant had notice of the motion for alimony and a counsel fee, appeared before the referee by whom the question of fact arising upon the motion was heard, contested the right of the plaintiff to alimony and a counsel fee, and appeared before the court when the final order directing the payment of alimony and a counsel fee was made. He does not deny that he had notice of that order and knew of its contents. Subsequent to the granting of the order he left the State, and consequently the order was not served upon him. He has failed to comply with the order in any respect, or to pay anything to the plaintiff on account of the alimony and counsel fee directed by that order to be paid.
We think the court below had power to strike out the answer. ( Quigley v. Quigley, 45 Hun, 24; Walker v. Walker, 82 N.Y. 261; Brisbane v. Brisbane, 5 Civ. Proc. Rep. 352.)
The fact that, in consequence of the defendant's refusal to comply with the order of the court, sequestration proceedings were instituted and a receiver appointed, simply emphasizes the defendant's contempt, and that those proceedings have been ineffectual is no reason why any other proceedings should not be taken against the defendant to compel him to comply with the order of the court.
The court below had no authority to strike out the appearance of the defendant. The defendant had a right to appear in the action so as to have notice of the subsequent proceedings.
The order should, therefore, be modified so as to provide that the answer interposed by the defendant be stricken out, and that the action proceed as if such answer had not been interposed, and as so modified affirmed, without costs to either party of this appeal.
Order modified so as to provide that the answer interposed by the defendant be stricken out, and that the action proceed as if such answer had not been interposed, and as so modified affirmed, without costs of appeal to either party.