Ex Parte Lavender , 207 Ala. 666 ( 1922 )

This is a petition, filed by Mrs. Lavender (formerly Morgan), for writ of mandamus to require one of the judges of the tenth circuit to vacate an order overruling her motion for a decree pro confesso, and refusing to enter decree pro confesso against W. Barnes Morgan in the proceeding, the primary stage of which was reviewed and determined in Morgan (now Lavender) v. Morgan,203 Ala. 516, 84 So. 754. Subsequently Mrs. Lavender filed an answer to W Barnes Morgan's petition to modify the decree in respect of the allowance for alimony. Later she amended this pleading so as to give it the form of a cross-petition, averring that the allowance of $4,000 alimony was a unit allowance; that it was fixed at that sum in the register's report by agreement of the parties; that the permission to Morgan to pay it in several installments was a concession merely, to enable Morgan to discharge the alimony without sacrifice of property and without inconvenience to him; and that the report of the register on reference and the decree expressed the intention of the parties, but omitted to recite the averred fact that the allowance was a matter of agreement, both in amount and in the manner of its payment. Among other things, Mrs. Lavender alleges in her cross-petition that the stated agreement for alimony through a unit allowance, with manner of payment as provided in the report and in the decree, induced her to surrender rights to alimony that otherwise she would not have abandoned, and that the suspension of the payments of (unpaid) installments has caused her loss and inconvenience. It was held on the appeal in this proceeding that the court had effectually reserved the power to change or modify the decree in respect of its allowance of alimony and of support of the child of the marriage, then dissolved. Morgan v. Morgan, supra.

W. Barnes Morgan's petition initiated the proceeding. Petition was the proper method to invoke the court's reserved and preserved power in the premises. Sayre v. Elyton Land Co.,73 Ala. 85, 96, 97, and authorities cited on page 97. Mrs. Lavender's pleading was not a cross-bill. In our practice that character of pleading is only appropriate to an original bill. In this instance, a petition — the proper means to serve the purpose intended — was the initial pleading, and a petition cannot be made the predicate for the interposition of a higher character of pleading, viz. a cross-bill, by the respondent to the initial petition. Mrs. Lavender's pleading was a counter petition. Whatever virtue there is in the matters set up in the counter petition may be availed of on the hearing on the merits of Morgan's petition. We intimate no opinion upon those possible issues other than is implied or results from the conclusions stated on the appeal reported in 203 Ala. 516,84 So. 754. Mrs. Lavender's counter petition not being a bill or a cross-bill (Code, §§ 3118, 3119), the failure of Morgan to plead thereto, however prolonged, gave no right to decree pro confesso. It is upon bills, original or cross, that such decrees may be granted. Code, § 3162 et seq. Hence the court below correctly declined to enter decree pro confesso on Mrs. Lavender's counter petition.

The writ of mandamus here sought is denied.

Writ denied.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SOMERVILLE and THOMAS, JJ., concur.