Hawkins v. Hawkins

In my opinion, Georgia law does not authorize the trial court to require the payment of periodic alimony beyond the death of Mr. Hawkins, by ordering that he maintain a life insurance policy for the benefit of Ms. Hawkins. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent.

Contrary to the majority opinion, neither Ritchea v. Ritchea, 244 Ga. 476 (260 SE2d 871) (1979) nor Andrews v. Whitaker, 265 Ga. 76 (453 SE2d 735) (1995) supports the proposition “that a trial court may order a spouse to carry life insurance for the benefit of the other spouse.” (Majority opinion, p. 638.) Ritchea, supra at 477 (2),…