ARK. 321 Alice WILLETT v. F. Giles WILLETT 75-269 S 532 S.W. 2ci 756 Opinion delivered February 23, 1976 MVO K UL — rmvunwint, r.oirvr,_,.. vi-sr,vInNT ”Tr,,A4u.tv-r TY OF REASONABLE NOTICE. — An Illinois judgment against divorced husband living in Arkansas for child support arrearages and medical payments was not entitled to full faith and credit where on July 16, 1969, the husband received by mail in Arkansas notice that the wife's petition would be heard in Illinois on July 17, for even though the Illinois court had continuing jurisdiction, the husband was entitled, as a matter of due process, to reasonable notice of the petition for judgment. Appeal from Pulaski Circuit Court, Third Division, Steele Hays, Special Judge; affirmed. Laster & Lane, for appellant. William R. Wilson jr., P.A. for appellee. GEORGE ROSE SMITH, Justice. The only question here is whether a money- judgment entered in Illinois is entitled to full faith and credit in Arkansas. We affirm the trial court's refusal to enforce the Illinois judgment. In 1961 the appellant obtained a divorce in Illinois, where both parties were living. The decree ordered the appellee to pay child support and certain medical expenses. In 1969, after the appellee had moved to Arkansas, the appellant filed a petition in the Illinois case for judgment against the appellee in the amount of his arrearages. On July 16, 1969, the appellee received by mail, in Arkansas, notice that the appellant's petition would be heard in Illinois on July 17. Upon the advice of an Arkansas attorney the appellee made no attempt to resist the petition. On July 17 the Illinois court entered judgment against the appellee for $8,760, with interest. In 1972 the appellant brought this action to enforce t he Illinois- judgment. The trial court was right in refusing to recognize the judgment. Even though the Illinois court had continuing
322 [259 jurisdiction in the case, the appellee was entitled, as a matter of due process, to reasonable notice of the petition for judgment. Leflar, American Conflicts Law, § 28 (rev. ed., 1968). The one day's notice that was given cannot be said to be reasonable in the circumstances. Consequently the Illinois-judgment is not entitled to full faith and credit. Griffin v. Griffin, 327 U.S. 220 (1946). Affirmed.
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