Rook v. Rook

In this appeal from a decree declaring a property settlement agreement void, the dispositive issue is whether the trial court had jurisdiction.

On December 11, 1980, Robert and Lisbeth Rook executed a property settlement agreement in contemplation of a separation. On January 21, 1982, Robert filed a bill of complaint against Lisbeth alleging that the parties had lived separate and apart without cohabitation or interruption since December 23, 1980. He prayed for a divorce a vinculo matrimonii on the ground of one-year separation without any cohabitation and without interruption and for…