In Re the Marriage of Marconi

HARRIS, Justice.

This is an appeal from the district court’s refusal to vacate a default dissolution-of-marriage decree. Jurisdiction over the respondent-wife was obtained by published notice, necessitated because she had fled the state with the parties’ child as a result of domestic abuse. So the dilemma facing the district court was plain. The respondent’s flight and deliberate disappearance necessitated notice to her by publication, and her lack of awareness of the proceedings was the natural consequence. But the flight was precipitated by the petitioner-husband’s misconduct in inflicting…