Farrell v. Farrell

This is a petition by a wife against her husband brought under G. L. c. 209, § 32. This section enumerates three classes of cases in which the court may make an order concerning the support of a wife. It may be done if “a husband fails, without just cause, to provide suitable support for his wife, or deserts her, or if the wife, for justifiable cause, is actually living apart from her husband.” Respecting this statutory provision it was said in Bucknam v. Bucknam, 176 Mass. 229, “There would be no reason for the first class of cases if the power of the court to make an order was intended to…