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Brown v. Brown

Texas Court of Appeals

704 S.W.2d 528 (1986)

Facts

Horace Brown (plaintiff) and Dawn Marie Brown (defendant) were married. Horace was a 70-year-old widower with substantial financial savings. Dawn Marie was a 46-year-old divorcée. Horace and Dawn Marie met through a pen-pal club and were married very soon after. The spouses signed a postmarital agreement that bestowed financial benefits on Dawn Marie. Horace did not understand the agreement before he signed it. Soon after the marriage, Dawn Marie rapidly spent Horace’s money and berated and verbally abused Horace. Horace filed for divorce. Horace’s doctor testified that Horace developed a stomach disorder attributed to situational stress and, specifically, Dawn Marie’s treatment of Horace. Horace’s neighbor testified that Horace became nervous and depressed soon after the marriage. The trial court granted Horace the divorce and held that the postmarital agreement was void. Dawn Marie appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Countiss, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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