In RE MARRIAGE OF ROEDER v. Roeder

Andrew Roeder, the respondent on appeal, died after an oral judgment of divorce but prior to the completion of evidence relating to the division of marital property. At a subsequent hearing, Mr. Roeder’s counsel submitted appraisals of several items of property, and the court heard testimony from an appraiser. Lucille Roeder objected, arguing that the intervening death of Andrew had divested the family court of jurisdiction over the property. She also moved the trial court to vacate the divorce, contending that Andrew’s death prevented the divorce from becoming final and that no divorce may…