Chapter 16: Domestic
Relations
Subchapters:
I: General Provisions (§§ 1611-1616)
II: Annulment and Divorce (§§ 1621-1629)
III: Adoption (§§ 1631-1635)
§ 1611. Jurisdiction of High Court.
§ 1612.
Proceedings in annulment, divorce, or adoption - Petitions.
§ 1613.
Proceedings in annulment, divorce, or adoption - Appeal and review; Procedure.
§ 1614.
Proceedings in annulment, divorce, or adoption - Local custom recognized.
§ 1615.
Proceedings in annulment, divorce, or adoption - Confirmation in accordance with recognized custom.
§ 1616. Age of majority.
Case annotations: Where there is diversity of citizenship between the parties, litigation involving domestic relations issues, including custody and child support, falls within the jurisdiction of the FSM Supreme Court. Mongkeya v. Brackett, 2 FSM Intrm. 291, 292 (Kos. 1986).
In litigation brought by a mother seeking child support payments from the father, the court will not grant the defendant-father's motion to change the venue to the FSM state in which he now resides from the FSM state in which: (1) the mother initiated the litigation; (2) the couple was married and resided together; (3) their children were born and have always lived; and (4) the mother still resides. Pernet v. Aflague, 4 FSM Intrm. 222, 224 (Pon. 1990).
Statutory provisions in the Trust Territory Code concerning domestic relations are part of state law because domestic relations fall within the powers of the states and not the national government. Pernet v. Aflague, 4 FSM Intrm. 222, 224 (Pon. 1990).
Since the determination of support payments payable by a divorced husband is a matter governed by state law, the FSM Supreme Court in addressing such an issue is obligated to attempt to apply the pertinent state statutes in the same fashion as would the highest state court in the pertinent jurisdiction. Pernet v. Aflague, 4 FSM Intrm. 222, 224 (Pon. 1990).
Under Pohnpeian state law after confirmation of a customary separation or divorce under 39 TTC 5, the court may order custody and child support under 39 TTC 103. Pernet v. Aflague, 4 FSM Intrm. 222, 225 (Pon. 1990).
Although under historical Pohnpeian customary law only the husband had rights over the children of the marriage, now both parents have rights and responsibilities in connection with a marriage and the court should take this into consideration in determining child custody rights and support payment obligations in cases of customary divorce. Pernet v. Aflague, 4 FSM Intrm. 222, 225 (Pon. 1990).
National courts can exercise jurisdiction over divorce cases where there is diversity of citizenship although domestic relations are primarily the subject of state law. Youngstrom v. Youngstrom, 5 FSM Intrm. 335, 336 (Pon. 1992).
Since a divorce case involves the status or condition of a person and his relation to other persons the law to be applied is the law of the domicile. Youngstrom v. Youngstrom, 5 FSM Intrm. 335, 337 (Pon. 1992).
Under the law of Pohnpei a court may award child custody, and, if necessary order child support. The standard to be applied is the "best interests of the child." Youngstrom v. Youngstrom, 5 FSM Intrm. 335, 337 (Pon. 1992).
A marriage procured and induced by fraud is void ab initio and the party whose consent was so procured is entitled to a judgment annulling the marriage.Burrow v. Burrow, 6 FSM Intrm. 203, 204-05 (Pon. 1993).
Under the law of Pohnpei support of the children is the responsibility of both parents. A court may order the parent without custody to make support payments. In granting or denying a divorce, the court may make such orders for custody of minor children, for their support as it deems justice and the best interests of all concerned may require. Youngstrom v. Youngstrom, 6 FSM Intrm. 304, 306 (Pon. 1993).
If a court deems justice and the best interest of all concerned so require, it may award past child support. When considering child support, it is the best interests of the children with which a court is most concerned. Youngstrom v. Youngstrom, 6 FSM Intrm. 304, 306 (Pon. 1993).
The High Court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the District courts to grant any adoption, and with the community and District courts to grant any annulment or divorce authorized under this chapter, and may, for cause shown, order any proceeding in annulment, divorce, or adoption pending before another court transferred to the High Court for disposition. Proceedings in annulment, divorce, or adoption in the High Court may be filed in any administrative District within which the matter might have been handled by a community court or a District court.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 711; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 1; COM PL 4C_56 § 1; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 1.
(1) All proceedings for annulment, divorce, or adoption shall be commenced by petition signed and sworn to by the petitioner or petitioners personally, except that a community court may accept an oral petition under oath if it deems best.
(2) The petition shall set forth sufficient facts as to the residence of the parties to show jurisdiction under this chapter.
(3) A petition for annulment or divorce shall, so far as practicable, include the date and place of marriage of the parties, the cause for the annulment or divorce, and the approximate date and place where it occurred if the cause consists of individual acts, otherwise sufficient details as to cause to identify with reasonable certainty the facts relied upon, and a statement as to any prior application which is known to have been made by either party for annulment or divorce of the marriage in question or for separation under it, in this or any other jurisdiction, and the result of such application, if known.
(4) Service of petitions filed under this section shall be made upon any respondent or respondents, if any, in the manner provided by law for service of complaints. In such cases, any respondent or respondents shall be accorded such time as may be provided by law for filing an answer to complaints to file an answer to the petition.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 712; TT Code 1977, 39 TTC 2; COM PL 4C_56 § 2; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 2.
(1) All decrees for annulment, divorce, or adoption under this chapter shall be subject to appeal, and in the case of community courts and District courts to review as in other civil cases, and no such decree shall become absolute or affect the legal status of the parties until the case has been reviewed, if subject to review by the High Court, and until the period for appeal has expired without any appeal having been filed or until any appeal taken shall have been finally dispatched.
(2) Except as otherwise expressly provided by this chapter, annulment, divorce, and adoption proceedings shall be governed by the provisions of law and rules of civil procedure applicable to civil actions.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 713; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 3; TT
Code 1980, 39 TTC 3.
Nothing contained in this chapter,
except for the provisions of section 1615 of this chapter, shall apply to
any annulment, divorce, or adoption effected in accordance with local
custom, nor shall any restrictions or limitations be imposed upon the
granting of annulments, divorces, or adoptions in accordance with local
custom.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 714; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC § 4; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC § 4, modified.
Cross_reference: For general provisions on local custom, see section 113 of title 1 (General Provisions) of this code.
Case annotations: Adoption
6 FSMC 1614 exempts adoptions effected in accordance with local custom from the domestic relations law of the Federated States of Micronesia. Customary adoptions are an alternative to court-ordered adoptions which are established by the Code. In re Marquez, 5 FSM Intrm. 381, 383 (Pon. 1992).
Parties who wish to adopt a child have a choice of method of adoption. They may adopt according to local custom, or they may adopt according to the laws of the FSM. What a petitioner may not do is seek the court's involvement in a customary adoption. In re Marquez, 5 FSM Intrm. 381, 383 (Pon. 1992).
The court has no statutory authority to enter a decree of adoption, pursuant to statute, for an adult. In re Jae Joong Hwang, 6 FSM Intrm. 331, 331 (Chk. S. Ct. Tr. 1994).
An adoption of an adult may qualify for recognition by the court if done under Chuukese custom. In re Jae Joong Hwang, 6 FSM Intrm. 331, 332 (Chk. S. Ct. Tr. 1994).
§ 1615. Proceedings in annulment, divorce, or adoption -
Confirmation in accordance with recognized custom.
When an annulment, divorce, or
adoption has been effected in the Trust Territory in accordance with
recognized custom and the validity thereof is questioned or disputed by
anyone in such a manner as to cause serious embarrassment to or affect the
property rights of any of the parties or their children, any party thereto
or any of his children may bring a petition in the High Court for a decree
confirming the annulment, divorce, or adoption effected in accordance with
recognized custom. Such a petition shall be signed and sworn to by
the petitioner personally, and shall be filed in the District where the
annulment, divorce, or adoption was effected. If, after notice to
all parties still living and a hearing, the Court is satisfied that the
annulment, divorce, or adoption alleged is valid in accordance with
recognized custom in the part of the Trust Territory where it was
effected, the High Court shall enter a decree confirming the annulment,
divorce, or adoption and may include in this decree the date it finds the
annulment, divorce, or adoption was absolute until the period for
appealing has expired without any appeal having been filed or until any
appeal taken shall have been filed or until any appeal taken shall have
been finally dispatched.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 715; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 5; COM PL 4C_56 § 3; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 5.
Case annotations: Adoption
6 FSMC 1615 grants the court jurisdiction to confirm customary adoptions. For the court to hear a petition to confirm a customary adoption there must first be a challenge to the validity of that adoption. Furthermore, the challenge must either cause "serious embarrassment" to one of the parties, or affect their property rights. Mere speculation or gossip will not suffice. In re Marquez, 5 FSM Intrm. 381, 383-84 (Pon. 1992).
Before the court may confirm a customary adoption, there must first have occurred a customary adoption. Thus, a threshold question is whether a customary adoption has taken place. In re Marquez, 5 FSM Intrm. 381, 384 (Pon. 1992).
Evidence that a customary adoption has taken place may be offered via affidavits from the natural parents of the child, consenting and attesting to the customary adoption. In re Marquez, 5 FSM Intrm. 381, 384 (Pon. 1992).
A petition to confirm a customary adoption which fails to indicate that the customary adoption has occurred is premature and unreviewable. In re Marquez, 5 FSM Intrm. 381, 385 (Pon. 1992).
All persons, whether male or female,
residing in the Trust Territory, who shall have attained the age of
eighteen years shall be regarded as of legal age and their period of
minority to have ceased.
Source: TT Code 1970, 39 TTC § 6; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 6.
Cross-reference: FSM Const., art. VI.
§ 1621. Competency of community and District courts.
§ 1622. Orders for custody, support, and alimony.
§ 1623.
Annulment - Authorized - Grounds.
§ 1624.
Annulment - Residency requirements.
§ 1625.
Annulment - Legitimacy of issue of annulled marriage.
§ 1626.
Divorce - Grounds.
§ 1627.
Divorce - Residency requirements.
§ 1628.
Divorce - Forgiveness as defense.
§ 1629.
Divorce - Procurement or connivance as defense.
An annulment or a divorce authorized
by this subchapter may be granted by any community court or District court
within whose jurisdiction either of the parties has resided for three
months immediately prior to the filing of the complaint.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 702; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 101; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 101.
Cross_reference: See also §§ 1610 and 1613 of this chapter.
In granting or denying an annulment
or a divorce, the court may make such orders for custody of minor children
for their support, for support of either party, and for the disposition of
either or both parties' interest in any property in which both have
interests, as it deems justice and the best interests of all concerned may
require. While an action for annulment or divorce is pending, the
court may make temporary orders covering any of these matters pending
final decree. Any decree as to custody or support of minor children
or of the parties shall be subject to revision by the court at any time
upon motion of either party and such notice, if any, as the court deems
justice requires.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 704; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 103; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 103.
A decree annulling a marriage may be
rendered on any ground existing at the time of the marriage which makes
the marriage illegal and void or voidable. A court may, however,
refuse to annul a marriage which has been ratified and confirmed by
voluntary cohabitation after the obstacle to the validity of the marriage
has ceased, unless the public interest requires that the marriage be
annulled.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 695; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 151; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 151.
No annulment shall be granted unless
one of the parties shall have resided in the Trust Territory for the three
months immediately preceding the filing of the complaint.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 696; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 152; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 152.
Cross_reference: See also § 1607 of this chapter.
The issue of a marriage annulled
under this subchapter shall be legitimate.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 697; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 153; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 153.
Divorces from marriage may be granted
under this subchapter for the following causes and no
other:
(1) adultery;
(2) the guilt of either party toward the other of such cruel treatment, neglect, or personal indignities, whether or not amounting to physical cruelty, as to render the life of the other burdensome and intolerable and their further living together unsupportable;
(3) willful desertion continued for a period of not less than one year;
(4) habitual intemperance in the use of intoxicating liquor or drugs continued for a period of not less than one year;
(5) the sentencing of either party to imprisonment for life or for three years or more. After divorce for such cause, no pardon granted to the party so sentenced shall affect such divorce;
(6) the insanity of either party where the same has existed for three years or more;
(7) the contracting by either party of leprosy;
(8) the separation of the parties for two consecutive years without cohabitation, whether or not by mutual consent;
(9) willful neglect by the husband to provide suitable support for his wife when able to do so when failure to do so is because of his idleness, profligacy, or dissipation.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 698; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC
201; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 201.
No divorce shall be granted unless
one of the parties shall have resided in the Trust Territory for the two
years immediately preceding the filing of the complaint.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 699; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 202; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 202.
Cross_reference: See also § 1607 of this chapter.
No divorce shall be granted where the
ground for the divorce has been forgiven by the injured party. Such
forgiveness may be shown by express proof or by the voluntary cohabitation
of the parties with knowledge of the fact and restoration of the forgiving
party to all marital rights. Such forgiveness implies a condition
that the forgiving party must be treated with conjugal kindness.
This forgiveness is revoked and the original ground for divorce is
revived if the party forgiven commits an act of constituting a like or
other ground for divorce or is guilty of conjugal unkindness sufficiently
habitual and gross to show that the conditions of forgiveness have not
been accepted in good faith or have not been fulfilled.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 700; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 203; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 203.
No divorce for the cause of adultery
shall be granted where the offense has been committed by the procurement
or with the connivance of the plaintiff.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 701; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 204; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 204.
§ 1631. Competency of District courts and High Court.
§ 1632. Adoption by decree.
§ 1633. Persons to be notified or consents to be obtained.
§ 1634. Best interests of child to control; Appearance of child.
§ 1635. Effect of decree.
An adoption authorized under this
subchapter may be granted by any District court within whose territorial
jurisdiction the person or persons requesting the adoption reside or
within whose jurisdiction the child resides, or by the Trial Division of
the High Court in such jurisdiction.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 709; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 251; COM PL 4C_56 § 5; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 251.
(1) Any suitable person who is not married, or is married to the father or mother of a minor child, or a husband and wife jointly may by decree of court adopt a minor child, not theirs by birth, and the decree may provide for change of the name of the child. If the child is adopted by a person married to the father or mother of the child, the same rights and duties which previously existed between such natural parent and child shall be and remain the same, subject, however, to the rights acquired by and the duties imposed upon the adopting parent by reason of the adoption.
(2) The term "child," as used in this subchapter and section 1615 of this chapter shall refer to the parent_child relationship.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 706; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 252; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 252.
Editor's note: The word "minor" appears twice in the first sentence of this section in the 1966 edition of the Trust Territory Code, but was deleted from the 1970 and 1980 editions of the Trust Territory Code.
No adoption shall be granted without
either the written consent of, or notice to, each of the known living
legal parents who has not been adjudged insane or incompetent or has not
abandoned the child for a period of six months, nor shall any adoption of
a child of over the age of twelve years be granted without the consent of
the child.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 707; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 253; COM PL 4C_56 § 6; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 253.
(1) No adoption shall be granted under this subchapter without the child proposed for adoption appearing before the court, and the adoption shall be granted only if the court is satisfied that the interests of the child will be promoted thereby.
(2) Whenever an adoption petition is filed by a person who is not a citizen of the Trust Territory for the adoption of a Micronesian child who is either under the age of twelve years or not the petitioner's stepchild, the court shall:
(a) determine, after reasonable inquiry, whether any member of the child's immediate or extended family residing in the Trust Territory, or any other Trust Territory citizen residing in the State of the Federated States of Micronesia in which the petition is brought, is willing, able, and suitable to adopt the child;
(b) give preference in the adoption of a Micronesian child to a Trust Territory citizen whenever practicable;
(c) appoint a guardian ad litem or attorney to represent the child;
(d) not issue a final decree until the child has lived in the proposed adoptive home for a length of time sufficient for the court to determine that the placement is satisfactory; and
(e) not grant the adoption unless the petitioner has resided in the Trust Territory for at least three years prior to the filing of the petition.
(3) The standards to be applied in judging the interests of a Micronesian child shall be the prevailing social and cultural standards of the Micronesian community from which the child comes or in which the court is located.
(4) The term "Micronesian child," as used in this section, shall mean a child born in the Trust Territory, one or both of whose parents is a Trust Territory citizen.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 708; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 254; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 254; PL IC_28 § 1.
(1) After a decree of adoption has become absolute, the child adopted and the adopting parent or parents shall hold towards each other the legal relation of parent and child and have all the rights and be subject to all the duties of that relationship. The natural parents of the adopted child are, from the time of adoption, relieved of all parental duties toward the child and all responsibilities for the child so adopted, and have no right over it.
(2) A child adopted under this subchapter shall have the same rights of inheritance as a person adopted in accordance with recognized custom at the place where the land is situated in the case of real estate, and at the place where the decedent was a resident at the time of his death in the case of personal property. Where there is no recognized custom as to rights of inheritance of adopted children, a child adopted under this subchapter shall inherit from his adopting parents the same as if he were the natural child of the adopting parent or parents, and he may also inherit from his natural parents and kindred the same as if no adoption has taken place.
Source: TT Code 1966 § 710; TT Code 1970, 39 TTC 255; TT Code 1980, 39 TTC 255.
Editor's note: The phrase "parent or" appears in the first and final sentences of this section in the 1966 edition of the Trust Territory Code, but was deleted from the 1970 and 1980 editions of the Trust Territory Code.