Section 27.10 Estoppel

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

4. (§27.10) Estoppel

In addition to res judicata, the principle of estoppel may operate to bar collateral attacks on a divorcing state’s jurisdiction. A party will be estopped from asserting the invalidity of a decree if that party’s conduct after the entry of the decree is inconsistent with the party’s contention that the decree is invalid. See:

· Harris v. Harris, 196 F.2d 46 (D.C. Cir. 1952), cert. denied, 344 U.S. 829 (1952)

· In re Marriage of Sumners, 645 S.W.2d 205 (Mo. App. S.D. 1983) (remarriage)

· Bennett v. Terry, Pub. Adm’r, 299 S.W. 147 (Mo. App. E.D. 1927) (lapse of time)

· Littlefield v. Littlefield, 203 S.W. 636...