Coble v. Coble

Husband (petitioner) petitions this Court to review the decision of the Court of Appeals in Coble v. Coble, 292 S. C. 233, 355 S. E. (2d) 863 (Ct. App. 1987). We grant certiorari, dispense with further briefing, and vacate both the Court of Appeals’ opinion and the family court order because the family court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the separation agreement at issue.

In 1980 the parties signed a separation agreement. This agreement was neither incorporated nor merged in the divorce decree, filed in 1981.1 In 1985 Wife (respondent) brought this action to enforce the agreement.…