Thayer v. Thayer

I dissent. While there have been varying • definitions of the term alimony, the cases generally agree it primarily is “an allowance the wife from the husband for her support in a divorce action in lieu of the legal obligation of her husband to support her . . . .” Knipfer v. Knipfer, 259 Iowa 347, 352, 144 N.W.2d 140, 143 (1966), quoting 2 Nelson on Divorce and Annulment, section 14.02 (2d ed. rev.' 1961). The right to receive alimony is based upon the husband’s common law obligation to support his wife. Division of property is based on the wife’s right to a just and equitable share of the…