Patrick v. Cochise Hotels Inc‪.‬

The parties were married July 26, 1952, and lived together -- with some brief interruptions -- for approximately fifteen months. The wife, in October 1953 instituted the action for divorce; defendant answered the complaint and also counterclaimed for a divorce. A month later the court gave the husband possession of the home and awarded the wife an attorneys fee of $250, and $150 per month for her support, pendente lite. This allowance continued for a period of sixteen months as judgment was not rendered until June 1955. Throughout the marital period the wife was employed as a teacher at a salary ranging from $4,000 to $4,300 per annum. There was such a commingling of community and separate funds of the parties during this period that it was impossible for the court, with the imperfect records kept, to ascertain with accuracy just what disposition was made of such income.