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406 So. 2d 989

McGhee v. McGhee

Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama

Decided November 18, 1981

Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama · decided 1981-11-18

Relies on Brown v. Brown · Ex Parte Brown

Decided 1981-11-18

WRIGHT, Presiding Judge.

¶1This is an appeal from the denial of a motion to set aside a judgment by default entered in a divorce action.

¶2Plaintiff-wife brought an action for divorce, custody of and support for two minor children, and other relief in Montgomery County, Alabama, on January 27,1981. Defendant-husband was served with summons and complaint by registered mail in At-*990more, Alabama, on February 14, 1981. Defendant, though securing an attorney, failed to answer. Upon motion and testimony taken before a commissioner, judgment after default was entered by the court on March 28, 1981.

¶3Defendant moved to set aside the judgment on April 15, 1981. As grounds therefor he alleged that his failure to answer the complaint was due to the trickery of plaintiff in leading him to believe that there would be a reconciliation and an abandonment of the action.

¶4Defendant first complains that the trial court was in violation of Rule 40(a), A.R. C.P., in setting and hearing a motion to set aside a deed from defendant to plaintiff.

¶5We respond that Rule 40(a) does not apply to hearing of motions but to setting of a trial on the merits after pleading and discovery. We further comment that the motion referred to was not appropriate as it pertained to a matter not previously before the court. There was no reversible error in the action of the court on that motion. For setting and hearing of motions other than post-trial, look to Rule 6, A.R.C.P.

¶6Defendant further charges abuse of discretion in denial of his motion to set aside the judgment of divorce. We find no abuse of discretion and affirm on authority of Brown v. Brown, 374 So.2d 332 (Ala.Civ.App.), cert. denied, 374 So.2d 334 (Ala.1979).

¶7AFFIRMED.

BRADLEY and HOLMES, JJ., concur.
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