Connelly v. Connelly

Perhaps the origin and existence of alimony should be mentioned, however briefly, in order to understand not only this dissent but my past dissents on alimony in this Court. Literally, alimony signifies nourishment or sustenance. It is a monetary provision which the law may afford to a wife from her husband’s estate so that she may have food, clothing, habitation, and other necessaries for support. Bradley v. Superior Court, 48 Cal.2d 509, 310 P.2d 634 (1957). The term “alimony” is derived from the Latin word “alimonia,” see Eaton v. Davis, 176 Va. 330, 10 S.E.2d 893 (1940), and, in its…