Dennis and Francis Burnham were married in West Virginia. One year later, the couple moved to New
Question:
Dennis and Francis Burnham were married in West Virginia. One year later, the couple moved to New Jersey, where their two children were born. After 10 years, the Burnhams decided to separate. Mr. Burnham agreed with Mrs. Burnham to file for divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences. Later, Mr. Burnham threatened to file for divorce in New Jersey on grounds of desertion. In the meantime, Mrs. Burnham, who had custody of the children, had moved to California. After unsuccessfully demanding that Mr. Burnham adhere to the prior agreement, Mrs. Burnham brought suit for divorce in California state court. One month later, Mr. Burnham visited California on a business trip. He then visited his children in the San Francisco Bay area, where his wife resided. He took the older child to San Francisco for the weekend. Upon returning the child to Mrs. Burnham’s home, he was served with a California court summons and a copy of Mrs. Burnham’s divorce petition. He then returned to New Jersey. Mr. Burnham made a special appearance in the California court and moved to quash the service of process. Did Mr. Burnham act ethically in trying to quash the service of process? Did Mrs. Burnham act ethically in having Mr. Burnham served on his visit to California? Is the service of process good? Burnham v. Superior Court of California, 495 U.S. 604, 110 S.Ct. 2105, 109 L.Ed.2d 631, Web 1990 U.S. Lexis 2700 (Supreme Court of the United States)
Step by Step Answer: