Goodman v. Goodman

Hill, Chief Justice.

The issue raised in this appeal is as follows: In a divorce suit instituted after the entry of a separate maintenance judgment, may a spouse seek equitable division of property held by the other spouse under that judgment?

This is the second appearance of this case in this court. See Goodman v. Goodman, 253 Ga. 281 (319 SE2d 455) (1984). The statement of facts which follows includes matters predating the prior appeal.

In 1979, the wife filed suit for separate maintenance. In 1980, a separate maintenance judgment and decree was entered awarding her, as permanent alimony:…