Fearon v. Fearon

The dominant question presented in this appeal is whether a husband is entitled to receive credit for monies paid directly to his children or to others for the children’s benefit when a divorce decree directs that a lump sum be paid periodically to the wife for the “support and maintenance” of herself and the children whose sole custody has been awarded to her.

On June 27, 1961, the Circuit Court of Fairfax County entered a decree granting Elizabeth J. Fearon, appellant, a divorce a mensa et thovo from her husband, Gerard Andrew Fearon, appellee, on the ground of constructive desertion. The…