Supreme Court Corner

By M. Jonathan Hayes

Wetmore v. Markoe, 196 U.S. 68 (1904)

Issue: Is a non-modifiable judgment for alimony a “debt” and therefore discharged (under the definition of debt at the time)?

Holding: No

Justice William R. Day

As part of her divorce, Mrs. Wetmore (now Markoe) was awarded alimony and child support. “The decree did not reserve any right of subsequent modification or amendment.” Three years later Mr. Wetmore was considerably behind in the payments so he filed . . .

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