In Re Marriage of Sorenson

Theda • Sorenson (petitioner) appeals a judgment of the circuit court of Madison County dissolving her marriage to Larry Sorenson (respondent). The issues presented are (1) whether the trial judge possessed authority to make certain findings of fact upon which the judgment was based and, (2) assuming such authority, whether these findings were against the manifest weight of the evidence.

The petition for dissolution of marriage was filed on January 14, 1983. On this date, petitioner also filed a petition for temporary custody of the parties’ three-year-old daughter, Sarah. A hearing on the…