June Marin v. William Rubben Hatfield, United States of America, Garnishee-Appellee

Appellant June Marin was divorced from William Rubben Hatfield in 1971 by decree of a Texas court on February 5, 1971. The judgment of divorce awarded appellant, in addition to other property, a one-half interest in “certain United States Army retirement benefits” payable by reason of Hatfield’s Army service. Congress thereafter enacted 42 U.S.C. § 659 which became effective on January 1, 1975, by which the United States waived immunity to garnishment and similar proceedings for enforce ment of child support and alimony obligations. 1

In 1976 appellant filed the instant complaint under the new…