Sprouse v. Griffin

In this controversy arising from a divorce suit in which one of the parties died while the suit was pending, we consider whether the Court of Appeals correctly ruled that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to determine entitlement to funds the trial court, prior to the death, had ordered held in escrow. Also, we consider if the Court of Appeals erred in refusing to rule on the status of the funds, that is, whether they were held as entireties property or as a tenancy in common.

In May 1991, appellant Lorraine G. Sprouse, the wife, filed a bill of complaint against her husband, Thomas E.…