In Re Marriage of Lawrence

This matter was initiated in the circuit court of Peoria County in 1979 when Hazel Lawrence filed a petition for separation from her husband, Merle. Merle eventually responded in 1981 with a counterpetition for dissolution of the parties’ marriage, alleging as grounds constructive desertion and mental cruelty (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 40, par. 401(2)). On June 7, 1982, the court granted Merle’s counterpetition and dismissed Hazel’s petition as moot. Hazel’s first attempt to appeal to this court resulted in a dismissal for failure to comply with supreme court rules in November of 1982.…