The initial issue for the court to consider in this divorce proceeding as submitted was the validity of a separation agreement entered into between the parties. The primary question is whether the court can enter an order for spousal support based upon the needs and resources of the parties or whether the court is bound by those provisions of § 20-109 of the Code which state: "If a stipulation or contract signed by the party to whom such relief might otherwise be awarded is filed with the pleadings or depositions, then no decree or order directing the payment of support and maintenance for the spouse, suit money or counsel fee or establishing or imposing any other condition or consideration, monetary or nonmonetary, shall be entered except in accordance with that stipulation or contract." The complainant asserts that the agreement is not valid and assigns two reasons therefor: first, the contract was entered into in duress and the complainant did not voluntarily agree to be bound thereby but rather executed the same for the purpose of obtaining a reconciliation, and second, that there was an attempted reconciliation between the parties following the execution of the separation agreement which would have the effect of revoking or rescinding the separation
As to the effect that a reconciliation has upon the continued validity of a separation agreement can vary with the circumstances surrounding each agreement and the actions taken by the parties thereunder. As to when and under what circumstances the terms of a separation agreement shall apply can be specified in the agreement itself. Quite often an agreement is entered into, under current statutes, while the parties remain together and in anticipation of a separation. Therefore, it is not necessary that a separation exist in order for an agreement to be valid so long as the parties intend to be bound by the terms thereof during a period of separation. Likewise, I am of the opinion that an attempted reconciliation during a period in which the parties are bound by the terms of a separation agreement would not revoke or rescind such agreement unless specifically provided for therein or unless the parties mutually agree, by words or acts, not to be bound thereby. No such evidence exists in the case before the court. In fact, even after the period of separation it appears that the parties have continued to abide by and be governed by the terms of the separation agreement and have accepted the benefits thereof. Such actions indicate that the parties did intend that the agreement be binding upon them even after the attempted reconciliation and would, in essence, constitute a ratification of the stipulation agreement. Accordingly, I am of the opinion that the separation agreement is valid and binding upon the parties and that no spousal support can be awarded contrary to the provisions thereof.
The evidence is sufficient to establish that the defendant deserted the complainant on November 18, 1982; however, I fail to find any corroborating evidence establishing jurisdiction pursuant to § 20-97 of the Code. I
The above chancery proceeding was filed on June 15, 1982, by Jewell Christine Daugherty Smith seeking a divorce from her husband. She alleged that Harold Buckles Smith had wilfully deserted and abandoned her on June 5, 1982, ten days prior to the filing of her bill. The bill of complaint alleged that a separation property settlement agreement had been entered into on June 9, 1982, six days before suit was filed and four days after the alleged desertion. The complainant prayed that the separation agreement be voided and rescinded by the court due to coercion and mental duress.
The complainant took depositions on January 6, 1983, in support of her divorce and also attacking the validity of the separation agreement. The evidence was submitted to the court and by letter opinion dated March 9, 1983, the court ruled that the evidence was sufficient to prove wilful desertion and abandonment by the defendant but that the evidence failed to corroborate jurisdiction as required by § 20*97 of the Code and also was insufficient to require the court to rescind or vitiate the separation agreement.
[MJantal property settlements entered into by competent parties upon valid consideration for lawful purposes are favored in the law and such will be enforced unless their illegality is clear and certain. Cooley v. Cooley, 220 Va. 749, 752 (1980).
There was no clear and convincing evidence submitted to prove duress, undue influence or legal incapacity. To the contrary, the evidence indicated that both parties were competent and capable of understanding the nature and consequences of their acts and of the terms of their agreement, both were represented by and had the advice of counsel when the agreement was prepared and entered into, the agreement was supported by consideration, and no duress or undue influence was proven sufficient to overcome the voluntary act of the complainant. The complainant’s unilateral desire that the agreement would
Subsequent to the court's having rendered its opinion, the complainant requested an opportunity to submit additional evidence on the issue of her mental and emotional state at the time the contract was made and additional evidence on the issues of duress and undue influence. The court ruled that in order to reopen the evidence or grant a rehearing the complainant must demonstrate some error on the face of the record or some legal excuse for failing to present her evidence prior to rendition of the ruling which she now seeks to change.
The petitioner’s right to relief on a rehearing depends upon his ability to point out some error on the face of the record, or to show some legal excuse for his failure to present his full defense at or before the time of entry of the decree which he seeks to have modified.
It has been held error for the chancellor to refuse an application to open an interlocutory decree founded upon affidavits of a discovery of important matter since such decree was rendered. However, the court should be satisfied before allowing a petition to rehear to be filed on the ground of after-discovered evidence that the evidence relied on is new, and could not have been discovered by the use of ordinary diligence prior to the date of the decree complained of. And in order to enable a party to submit additional evidence, the additional evidence proposed to be submitted must not be merely cumulative and impossible of changing the result. 16 Michie’s Jurisprudence, Rehearing, Section 5, pp. 42-43.
Counsel for the defendant shall prepare a decree in conformity with the findings and rulings herein and shall include such prior proceedings in the decree, including the ruling of March 9, 1983, fully to reflect the actions taken herein. In order to include in the decree the granting of the divorce a vinculo matrimonii the matter of jurisdiction pursuant to Section 20-97 of the Code shall require corroboration.