Brown v. Brown

The dispositive question in this appeal is whether a notation made by a judge of a juvenile and domestic relations court, which marked a file “closed,” had the effect of terminating a previous order for continuing child support. We answer the question in the negative.

The facts are undisputed. Thomas R. Brown (Thomas) and Florence B. Brown (Florence) were married in 1952. Between 1953 and 1966, four children were born of the marriage. During that time, the parties jointly acquired a residence in Petersburg.

Thomas and Florence separated in June 1971. In July, Florence filed a petition in the…