Shipley v. Shipley

Robert H. Dudley, Justice.

In 1978, Grady Shipley filed suit for divorce against Catherine Shipley. She responded with a counterclaim for divorce against him. They agreed on a property division and agreed that the wife should have custody of the children, but reached an impasse on the amounts of alimony and child support. Both parties were represented by experienced trial attorneys. One attorney eventually suggested to the other that they “let the Judge decide” those amounts. The trial began on January 24, 1979.

Procedurally, the plaintiff husband dismissed his complaint, and the…