Inola Laverne Hull v Norrell Bernard Hull

• Jurisdiction: Bermuda
• Judgment Date: 05 November 1993
• Date: 05 November 1993
• Docket Number: Divorce Jurisdiction 1992 No. 61
• Court: Supreme Court (Bermuda)

In the Supreme Court of Bermuda

Wade, J

Divorce Jurisdiction 1992 No. 61

Inola Laverne Hull

Petitioner

and

Norrell Bernard Hull

Respondent

Mrs. Georgia Marshall for the Petitioner

Mr. Saul Froomkin for the Respondent

JUDGMENT

Wade, J.

The parties, although now divorced, may conveniently be called ‘the wife’ and ‘the husband’.

The wife and husband were married on the 7th April, 1973 and cohabited in Government accommodation at No. 2 Frog Lane, Devonshire Parish. They began to experience unhappy differences as early as 1976. Eventually, these differences culminated in a total breakdown of the union.

By her petition dated 30th March, 1992, the wife sought dissolution of her marriage. Decree Nisi was pronounced on 29th May, 1992 and made absolute on 23th July, 1992. This was therefore a marriage of some 19 years.

There are two children of the marriage, Norrell Bernard now age 19. and Max Robert, now age 18. Norrell is presently attending the Bermuda College and Max is undergoing police cadet training. Both children reside with the wife in a two-bedroom apartment.

The husband continues to reside in the Government accommodation—the former matrimonial home—at a lower than average rent. However, whenever his service with the Bermuda Government ends, his right to this “subsidized” accommodation also ends.

By her application for ancillary relief dated 4th November, 1992, the wife seeks a lump sum or sums provision together with periodical payments for herself.

Each party filed one affidavit and gave oral evidence. The evidence shows that the husband is a Chief Inspector of Police, and he earns $4,404 per month. There is every indication that in April 3.994, the husband's income will increase to $4,578 per month. As regards the husband's expenses, I have taken into account that the $585 monthly he claims for continuing legal fees, and a portion of the $1,500 monthly he claims for miscellaneous expenses will no longer exist after these accounts have been settled. Thereafter, the husband's monthly expenses will be significantly reduced.

The wife earns $1.005.01 bi-weekly net (inclusive of the deduction of $160 bi-weekly for her Christmas savings club) from her employment as a credit card clerk with the Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Sons Ltd. Additionally, she receives $100 per month from their son Max. Her expenses which I find proved are $3,064 per month, which includes $160 per month for the support of her mother who lives in St...