Lightner v. Lightner

BERREY, Judge.

Petitioner, Ronald Jess Lightner, hereafter Ronald, filed a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri. Sheila Dale Lightner, respondent, filed an Answer and Cross-Petition. Following a hearing on the merits which was not attended by Ronald, the Commissioner entered Findings and Recommendations. The decree was subsequently approved following the denial of the motion for rehearing by Judge Moran.

Extensive discovery ensued and eventually the case came for hearing on January 29, 1996, pursuant to respondent’s notice. On January 22, 1996,…