Houchins v. Houchins

CLARK, Chief Judge.

In this appeal from a dissolution of marriage decree, the issue is whether the trial court abused its discretion in striking appellant’s pleadings and conducting a trial of the case without appellant’s participation. We conclude the order striking the pleadings was improvidently made and therefore reverse the judgment and remand the cause for further proceedings.

The questions in the case center on pretrial proceedings. They are summarized as the background for discussion of the issues.

Respondent husband filed a petition in the Circuit Court of Clay County on April 29,1985,…