Boykin v. Boykin, 54588

Decision Date08 February 1984
Docket NumberNo. 54588,54588
Citation445 So.2d 538
PartiesJimmy BOYKIN v. Sue B. BOYKIN.
CourtMississippi Supreme Court

Robert C. Grenfell, Jackson, for appellant.

E. Howard Eaton, Taylorsville, for appellee.

Before BROOM, P.J., and HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, JJ.

HAWKINS, Justice, for the Court:

Jimmy Boykin appeals from a divorce decree of the Chancery Court of Smith County in which the chancellor, after granting him a divorce from his wife, awarded possession of the home to the wife until she remarries or moves.

The only issue we address on this appeal is whether the chancellor erred as a matter of law, or was manifestly wrong in awarding possession of the residence to the wife. Persuaded the chancellor had authority to award possession to the wife and was not manifestly wrong, we affirm.

Mr. and Mrs. Boykin married on April 14, 1962, and lived together as husband and wife until they separated January 9, 1982. Two sons were born of their marriage, one 18 years of age at the time of trial, and the other 14. She filed suit, he answered and cross-complained. The proof for both was rather weak, but the chancellor awarded the divorce to the husband, and there was no cross-appeal by Mrs. Boykin.

It was the desire of the younger son to remain with his father, and the chancellor awarded custody to Mr. Boykin. The older son desired to live with Mrs. Boykin.

The chancellor awarded possession of the home to Mrs. Boykin until she remarries or moves, and required Mr. Boykin to pay the monthly notes of $58.00 each, secured by a deed of trust against the home.

Mr. Boykin appealed, and alleges the chancellor erred in giving Mrs. Boykin possession of the home. The basis of his contention is that since the minor son is living with him, and he was awarded his custody, as a matter of law he was entitled to possession of the home. There is no Mississippi case directly in point.

We have recently held that a decree awarding possession of the marital residence to the wife may be construed as continuing alimony. McIlwain v. McIlwain, 441 So.2d 517 (Miss.1983, and not yet reported). Further, in a domestic relations case, there is no reason why a chancellor, under the broad discretion granted him, cannot in his decree award possession of the marital residence to either party.

Counsel for Mr. Boykin argue cogently that because custody of the child was awarded to him, he is entitled to possession of the home. He cites several cases from Florida and Alabama to support this contention. See: Zeller v. Zeller, 396 So.2d 1177 (Fla.App.1981); McMaster v. McMaster, 379 So.2d 189 (Fla.App.1981); Weaver v. Weaver, 394 So.2d 378 (certiori denied Ex parte Weaver, 394 So.2d 380 (Ala.1981)) (Ala.Civ.App.1980); Hudson v. Hudson, 391 So.2d 664 (Ala.Civ.App.1980); Ray v. Ray, 379 So.2d 627 (Ala.Civ.App.1980); Hausler v. Hausler, 382 So.2d 806 (Fla.App.1980); McDonald v. McDonald, 368 So.2d 1283 (Fla.1979); Alford v. Alford, 364 So.2d 1255 (Fla.App.1978); Bailey v. Bailey, 361 So.2d 204 (Fla.App.1978); and Cobb v. Cobb, 352 So.2d 1384 (Ala.Civ.App.1977). We construe these cases, at least...

To continue reading

Request your trial
4 cases
  • Bowen v. Bowen
    • United States
    • Mississippi Supreme Court
    • February 27, 1997
    ...the situation as only a trial judge can, and we are unable to say he was manifestly wrong under the facts of this particular case." Boykin, 445 So.2d at 539 (affirming award to wife of use and possession of marital home even though husband was awarded custody of minor child). Because punish......
  • Bonderer v. Robinson, 56541
    • United States
    • Mississippi Supreme Court
    • October 15, 1986
    ...and exclusive possession by Ms. Robinson of the marital residence may be construed as continuing alimony. See e.g. Boykin v. Boykin, 445 So.2d 538 (Miss.1984); McIlwain v. McIlwain, 441 So.2d 517 (Miss.1983); Rhodes v. Rhodes, 336 So.2d 1315 (Miss.1976); Savell v. Savell, 290 So.2d 621 (Mis......
  • Moak v. Moak, 91-CA-465
    • United States
    • Mississippi Supreme Court
    • January 27, 1994
    ...rule that "it is better to award possession of the martial residence to the party who is given custody of the children." Boykin v. Boykin, 445 So.2d 538, 539 (Miss.1984). HAWKINS, C.J., PRATHER, P.J., SULLIVAN, JAMES L. ROBERTS, Jr. and SMITH, JJ., concur. BANKS, J., dissents with separate ......
  • Lenoir v. Lenoir, 91-CA-669
    • United States
    • Mississippi Supreme Court
    • December 17, 1992
    ...under the broad discretion granted him, cannot in his decree award possession of the marital residence to either party. Boykin v. Boykin, 445 So.2d 538, 539 (Miss.1984). This Court addressed an almost identical question in Trigg v. Trigg, 498 So.2d 334 (Miss.1986). In Trigg, we held that a ......

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT