Long v. Long

WELLS, Judge.

The court ordered a mistrial after determining that plaintiff was not entitled to alimony. This clearly constituted error.

Suit for divorce from bed and board is not exclusively a means for collection of alimony, but also a means of establishing a certain legal relationship. See Schlagel v. Schlagel, 253 N.C. 787, 117 S.E. 2d 790 (1961); 1 Lee, N.C. Family Law § 35 (1979). Although alimony may be the true subject of controversy, the statutory provisions allowing suit for alimony are permissive, not mandatory; a party suing for divorce from bed and board may, but is not required…