Flood v. Flood

Jessie C. Flood was granted a divorce a vinculo matrimonii in the Circuit Court of Baltimore City, from Ida Mae Flood, on September 2, 1971. The decree of divorce provided that the appellant was to pay child support, including arrearages, and permanent alimony, accounting from the date of the decree.

The husband, appellant here, attacks only that portion of the decree awarding alimony to the wife and presents the question of whether vel non a court of equity may sua sponte award alimony to a wife who has neither claimed nor demonstrated a need for it.

The husband filed a “Second Amended Bill of…