Commonwealth v. Smith
Commonwealth v. Smith
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
This is a proceeding under the Act of April 13, 1867, P. L. 78, based upon an information made by Lizzie S. Smith against her husband, Harry E. Smith, to obtain an order for her support.
An appeal in cases of this character operates merely as a certiorari and, therefore, confines us to an examination as to the jurisdiction of the court and the regularity of the record: Com. v. Tragle, 4 Pa. Superior Ct. 159; Com. v. Hart, 12 Pa. Superior Ct. 605. The jurisdiction of the court below in this case is not in any way questioned or denied, and the record shows regular proceedings under the act above mentioned and a proper decree based upon those proceedings by which “ it is ordered that the defendant pay the costs of this prosecution; that he pay for the support of his wife $1.25 per week and that he give security in the sum of $100, conditioned that he carry out this order.”.
The appellant strenuously insists that he is not liable to contribute to the support of his wife, by reason of an agreement of separation which, by its terms, provides that the wife “ shall not henceforth at any time hereafter trouble, molest, sue or prosecute the said Harry E. Smith for any claims for maintenance or alimony.” As was said in Scott’s Estate, 147 Pa. 102, “ It is settled law in this state that an agreement between husband and wife to live separate and apart, if based upon a good consideration and reasonable in its terms and actually carried into effect by both parties will be valid and binding upon the wife as upon the husband: Hutton v. Hutton, 3 Pa. 100 ; Dillinger’s App., 35 Pa. 357 ; Hitner’s App., 54 Pa. 110; Speidel’s App., 107 Pa. 18.” This applies to proceedings like the present under the act of 1867, supra: Com. v. Richards, 131 Pa. 209.
The tribunal to determine the reasonableness of the provision made for the support of the wife under the articles of separa
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Harry E. Smith
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- 9 cases
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- Syllabus
- Appeal — Husband and wife — Action for support. An appeal in a proceeding, under the Act of April 13, 1867, P. L. 78, by a wife against her husband, to obtain an order for her support confines the appellate court to an examination of the jurisdiction of the court and the regularity of the record. Jurisdiction, Q. S. — Questions of fact — Agreement to live separate. A reasonable agreement to live separate and apart if based upon good consideration will protect the husband in an action for support, but it is for the quarter sessions to determine the reasonableness of such agreement and their ruling thereon will not be iwiewed, nor can the appellate court reconsider any question of fact passed upon by the court below.