### J - S12006 - 18

NON - PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37 TRACY S. NEWCOMER

v. RICHARD C. NEWCOMER

Appellant : : : : : : : : : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF

PENNSYLVANIA

No. 1382 MDA 2017 Appeal from the Order Entered August 3, 2017 In the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County Civil Division at No(s): S - 1901 - 2013 BEFORE: LAZARUS, J., KUNSELMAN, J., and FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E. MEMORANDUM BY LAZARUS, J.: FILED APRIL 12, 2018 Richard C. Newcomer (“Husband” ) appeals from the order, entered in the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County, distributing the parties’ marital property and ordering Tracy S. Newcomer (“Wife”) to pay Husband alimony in the amount of $ 1,473.84 per month until December 31, 2017 . 1 

### After our review, we affirm based on the opinion authored by the Honorable Jacqueline L. Russell. The parties married in 1998 and separated in 2013. They have three minor children, ages 17, 15 and 12. The parties share physical custody of the two youngest children; Wife has primary physical custody of the oldest child. None of the children has special needs . A t the time of the hearings before

_________________ ____________________ _______ 1 

### Husband has been receiving alimony pendente lite (APL) since August 2014; upon divorce the APL award converted to alimony.

### J - S12006 - 18

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the master, in October and December of 2016, Wife wa s 50 years old and Husband was 47 years old. Prior to the marriage, Wife obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Human Re sources; she is employed at Country Meadows Retirement Community . Wife earns approximately $140,000.00 per year. Husband has taken some college level classes in horticulture; he has been self- employed as a landscaper since 1993. Husband can operate a bucket truck, a backhoe, a chipper and a stomper. Husband also has an active commercial driver ’s license (CDL). Husband’s 2015 Federal Income Tax Return for his landscaping business showed gross receipts of $35,455.00 for his landscaping and snowplowing business , and other income, including alimony, of $22,237.00. 2 

### The parties stipulated to the value of the marital assets . T he master held hearings on October 10, 2016, December 6, 2016 , and December 28, 2016. On April 18, 2017, the master issued his report and recommendation. Both parties filed exceptions, and , on August 3, 2017, the trial court entered an order, adopting t he master’s findings and recommendations , and distributing the marital property as follows: 51% to Husband ($422,521.00) and 49% to Wife ($420,681.00). The court also ordered Wife’s alimony payment to Husband continue to December 31, 2017. Husband appealed.

_________________ ____________________ _______ 2 

### An interim order entered on August 27, 2014 , determined that Husband’s monthly net income was $833.15 and Wife’s monthly net income was $7 , 928.37.

### J - S12006 - 18

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Both Husband and the trial court have complied with Pa.R.A.P. 1925. Husband raises the following issues for our review :

1. Whether the lower court erred in setting forth an equitable distribution scheme that does not reflect a proper consideration of the facts as applied to the factors set forth in the Pennsylvania Divorce Code, and, instead, reflects bias in favor of Wife? 2. Whether the lower court erred in awarding alimony only until December 31, 2017? 3. Whether the low er court erred in failing to award attorney fees and costs to Husband? 4. Whether the lower court erred in failing to set forth the basis of, and reasoning behind, its equitable distribution scheme? 5. Whether the lower court erred in discriminating against Husb and? Appellant’s Brief, at 7. A trial court has broad discretion when fashioning an award of equitable distribution. Our standard of review when assessing the propriety of an order effectuating the equitable distribution of marital property is whether th e trial court abused its discretion by a misapplication of the law or failure to follow proper legal procedure. We do not lightly find an abuse of discretion, which requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence. This Court will not find an “abuse of discretion” unless the law has been overridden or misapplied or the judgment exercised was manifestly unreasonable, or the result of partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will, as shown by the evidence in the certified record. In determining the propriety of an equitable distribution award, courts must consider the distribution scheme as a whole. We measure the circumstances of the case against the objective of effectuating economic justice between the parties and achieving a just determination of their prope rty rights. Moreover, it is within the province of the trial court to weigh the evidence and decide credibility and this Court will not reverse those determinations so long as they are supported by the

### J - S12006 - 18

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evidence. We are also aware that a master’s report and recommendation, although only advisory, is to be given the fullest consideration, particularly on the question of credibility of witnesses, because the master has the opportunity to observe and assess the behavior and demeanor of the parties. Morgante v. Morgante , 119 A.3d 382, 386 - 87 (Pa. Super. 2015) (quoting Childress v. Bogosian , 12 A.3d 448, 455 - 56 (Pa. Super. 2011) (internal citations and quotation marks omitted) ) . Essentially, Husband argues that he should continue receiving alimony beyond Decemb er 31, 2017, in light of the disparity in the parties’ incomes and in light of the fact that he suffers from back issues that limit his ability to work. The trial court noted, however, that Husband offered no medical testimony to support work restrictions for his back and takes no medication. Husband also argues that he requires approximately $76,000.00 for tuition because he intends to acquire a degree in mechanical engineering so that he can obtain a job that does not require physical labor. The court n oted that the master found Husband was underemployed and that Husband’s testimony was simply not credible. The court accepted the master’s determination with respect to Husband’s credibility. See Morgante , supra . Further, the court reviewed the statuto ry factors, applied them to the parties’ stipulations and the master’s findings, and set forth its reasoning for the equitable distribution order. The trial court listed the factors a court must consider in the implementation of an equitable distribution scheme and in the award of alimony, and evaluated the master’s reference to them and all

### J - S12006 - 18

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relevant factual information assigned to them. Trial Court Opinion, 8/3/17, at 9 - 1 2. We also agree with the court that the fact that it accepted the master’s credibility determination did not establish that the court was biased against Husband or discriminated against him. Husband was awarded more than half of the marital estate and alimony for o ne year. He was also awarded the marital home and liquid assets, whereas the bulk of the assets awarded to Wife were retirement funds. Having reviewed the parties’ briefs, the record, the relevant law and the well - reasoned analysis by the trial court in the two opinions rendered in this case, the August 3, 2017 Opinion and the November 9, 2017 Rule 1925(a) Opinion, we conclude that the court properly disposed of Husband’s claims on appeal. Accordingly, we adopt the trial court’s two opinions as our o wn and affirm the order on that basis . We direct the parties to attach these opinions in the event of further proceedings. Order affirmed. Judgment Entered. Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary Date: 4/12/2018Circulated 03/22/2018 03:37 PM P a g e 1 o f 3 2 S c h u y l k ill C o un t y Go v e rnme n t 

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### C O L. D e f e n d a n t co n te n d s t h a t h e i s l i m i te d i n e m p l o y m e n t o p p o rt u n i t i es d u e to h a v i n g b a c k p ro b l e m s . P l a i n t i ff h a s b e e n p a y i n g D e f e n d a n t a l i m o n y p e n d e n te l i t e s i n c e A u g u s t 

### 2 7 , 2 0 1 4 . T h e p a rt i e s a g re e 2 o n th e d a te 

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. 0 0 a n n u a ll y . P l a i n t i ff te s t i fi e d a t t h e D e ce m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 h e a ri n g t h a t s h e e a rn e d a b o u t $ 1 4 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 p e r ye a r. 2 T h e re co rd d oe s n o t i n d i ca te a g re e m e n t b y t h e p a rt i e s o n a ll a s s e ts i d e n ti fi e d . 3 I t i s n o t e v i d e n t h ow t h i s f i g u re wa s d e te rm i n e d . Th e d a te of s e p a ra t i o n wa s A p ri l 3 0 , 2 0 1 3 a n d pe r d o c u m e n ta ti o n i n l h e re co rd t h e b a l a n ce of t h e a cco u n t o n M a rc h 3 1 , 2 0 1 3 wa s $4 6 , 04 7 . 2 0 a n d o n J u n e 3 0 , 2 0 1 3 i t wa s $ 4 9 , 4 1 7 .4 1
. P l a i n ti ff , h owe ve r, a g re e s w i th t h e f i g u re a s s i g n e d b y t h e M a s te r. � T h e p a rt i e s h a v e n o t d i s p u te d t h e c la s s ifi ca ti o n of t h e a s s e t a s m a ri ta l. T h e re co rd i n d i ca te s P l a i n ti ff p o s s e s s e d a p re - m a ri ta l a s s e t w h i c h re s u l te d i n t h e s to c k is s u a n ce . 

### 2P a g e l o f 3 2 S ch u y l k i � l C o un t y Go v e rnmen t

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. 0 0 S a n ta n d e r B a n k a c co u n t # 9 6 5 0 ( D e f e n d a n t ) - $ 9 , 6 8 0
. 0 0 S a n ta n d e r B a n k a c co u n t #4 9 1 3 ( D e f e n d a n t ) - $ 4 , 8 2 6
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. 0 0 2 0 0 5 J o h n D e e re b a c k h o e - $ 1 2 , 5 0 0
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### 1 9 9 7 B u c ke t t ru c k - $ 1 0 , 5 0 0
. 0 0 1 9 9 9 J e e p C h e ro ke e - $ 1 , 0 0 0
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. 0 0 R i c ky' s b e d ro o m fu rn i t u re • $ 5 0 0
. 0 0
C h a s e B a n k m o rtg a g e - $ 7 2 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 M e t ro B a n k H e l o c - 

### $ 1 , 9 6 9 . 0 0 5
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### li f e i n s u ra n ce p o li c i e s a re te rm w i t h n o ca s h v a l u e a n d t h e re a l e s ta te p u rc h a s e d b y P l a i n t i ff afte r s e p a ra ti o n i s n o t m a ri ta l p ro p e rty .

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. N o e x ce p t i o n wa s fi l e d a b o u t t h e ca rd d e s p i te D e f e n d a n t' s a rg u m e n l N e v e rt h e l e s s , te s ti m o n y i n d i ca ted t h e d e b t wa s p a i d i n fu l l p r i o r to s e p a ra t i o n . 

### 4P ag e 5 o r 3 2 S ch u y l k i . l C o \Dl t y G o v e rnmmi t

T h e m a r ita l p o rt i o n of P l a i n t i ff' s We ll s F a rg o I RA i s $ 7 , 2 9 0
. 7 0 , P l a i n t i ff s U P S 4 0 1 K re ti re m e n t p l a n h a s a m a ri ta l v a l u e of $ 1 8 7 , 1 2 5 . 0 0 a n d t h e b a l a n ce re m a i n i n g o f P l a i n t i ff s U P S s to c k d o e s n o t re p re s e n t a n i n c re a s e i n v a l u e d u ri n g t h e m a rri a g e . T h e M a s te r fi n d s t h a t D e f

e n d a n t' s te s t i m o n y " o n t h e w h o l e " wa s n o t c re d i b l e a n d t h a t h i s c l a i m t h a t t h e re wa s $ 4 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 i n ca s h i n t h e p a rt i e s ' c l o s e t a n d t h a t P l a i n ti ff ' s e m p l o ye r p a i d h e r " f

o r m o re t h a n th e o u ts ta n d i n g l o a n b a l a n c e o n h e r ca r . . . • ,a Al t h o u g h th e p a rt i e s s t i p u l a te d th a t t h e M e t ro B a n k h o m e e q u i ty li n e o f c re d i t h a d a b a l a n c e of $ 1 , 9 6 9
. 6 4 a t s e p a ra t i o n , t h e c u r re n t b a l a n ce i s $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 b e ca u s e D e f e n d a n t to o k a n a d v a n ce o n t h e li n e of c re d i t. T h e re f o re , t h e li e n s a g a i n s t t h e m a ri t a l re s i d e n ce to ta l $ 1 2 2 , 0 0 0
. 0 0
. I n h i s re v i ew of t h e f

a cto rs re l a t i v e to e q u i ta b l e d i s tri b u t i o n , t h e M a s te r i n cl u d e s t h e fo l l ow i n g a d d i t i o n a l i n fo r m a t i o n . D e f e n d a n t a p p e a rs u n d e r- e m p l o ye d b a s e d u p o n h i s s k ill s a n d t ra i n i n g a n d h e h a s ta ke n n o s te p s to i n c re a s e h i s e a rn i n g p owe r s i n ce s e p a ra t i o n . N e i t h e r p a rty co n t ri b u te d to t h e e d u ca t i o n , t ra i n i n g o r i n c re a s e d e a rn i n g p owe r of t h e o t h e r . N e i t h e r p a rty off e re d te s t i m o n y a b o u t t h e o p p o rt u n i ty of e i t h e r f o r fu t u re a cq u i s i t i o n o f ca p i ta l a s s e ts . P l a i n t i ff h a s s te a d y i n co m e w i t h m e d i ca l , re t i re m e n t , i n s u ra n c e a n d o t h e r b e n e fi ts fo r h e rs e l f a n d t h e c h i l d re n . D e f e n d a n t w i l l b e o b l i g a te d to p u rc h a s e h i s m e d i ca l i n s u ra n c e a n d fi n a n c e h i s re t i re m e n t , i n s u ra n ce a n d o t h e r b e n e f i ts . B o t h p a rt i e s co n t ri b u te d to t h e a cq u i s it i o n a n d a p p re ci a ti o n of m a ri ta l p ro p e rty a n d to t h e m a i n te n a n c e of t h e h o u s e h o l d a n d h a d a m i d d l e c l a s s li f e s ty l e d u ri n g t h e m a r ri a g e . 6 T h e s e n te n c e i s - i n co m p l e te . H owe v e r , i t i s a s s u m e d t h a t t h e M a s te r m e a n t to I n d i ca te t h a t t h e cl a i m s b y D e f e n d a n t a bo u t ca s h a n d P l a i n t i ff' s e m p l o y er we re n o t c re d i b l e . Li kew i s e , i t i s b e l i e ve d t h e M a s te r m e a n t to fi n d t h a t D e f

e n d a n t' s co n te n t i o n t h a t P l a i n t i ff to o k m a n y t h o u s a n d s o f d o ll a rs · wo rt h o f pe rso n a l p ro p e rty wa s u n f

o u n d e d s i n ce w h il e co n te n d i n g t h a t P l a i n ti ff to o k m u c h m a ri ta l fu rn i tu re w h e n s h e l e ft D e f e n d a n t , t h e l a tte r a l s o c l a i m ed th a t P l a l n t l ff b o u g h t n e w fu rn i t u re a fte r s e p a ra ti o n . 

### 5l? ag e 6 o f 3 2 S o h u y l k � � l Coun t y Go v ernmen t

T h e e n c u m b e ri n g of t h e m a ri ta l re a l e s ta te w i t h a n a d d i t i o n a l $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 d e b t b y D e f e n d a n t d i s s i p a te d t h e e q u i ty i n t h e p ro p e rty a n d wo u l d h a v e to re s u l t i n a d e d u ct i o n i n h i s s h a re of e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b ut i o n . P ri o r to e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n , P l a i n t i ff h a s s u b s ta n ti a l va l u e i n re a l e s ta te a n d b a n k a c co u n ts i n h e r n a m e . P l a i n t i ff i s i n a m o re s ta b l e e co n o m i c c i rc u m s ta n ce t h a n D e f e n d a n t. T h e p a rt i e s

" s u b m i tte d s p e c u l a t i o n " a s to t h e ta x ra m i fi ca t i o n s a p p l i ca b l e to e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n b u t n o a c co u n t wa s p re s e n te d . D e f e n d a n t s e t f

o rt h s p e c u l a ti v e ex p e n s e s fo r s a l e , t ra n s f e r 

### o r l i q u i d a t i o n "w i t h a p a rt i c u l a r" of t h e m a ri ta l re a l e s ta te 7 b u t n o te s t i m o n y , c ro s s - e xa m i n a t i o n o r re b u tta l w a s off e re d . T h e M a s te r re co g n i z e s t h a t t ra n s f e r ta x a n d a re a l to r' s co m m i s s i o n wo u l d b e i n vo l v e d i n t h e s a l e o f t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n ce . D e f e n d a n t re q u e s ts co u n s e l f e e s a n d p e r m a n e n t a l i m o n y . A l i m o n y i s to re h a b i l i ta te a p a rty i n n e e d . D e f e n d a n t m a d e n o e ff

o rt towa rd a n y re h a b ili ta t i o n b e yo n d t h e s k ill s h e h a s a n d d i d n o t p re s e n t a p l a n a s to w h y h e s h o u l d b e re ce i v i n g a d d i t i o n a l a l i m o n y . T h e fy'l a s te r re co m m e n d s fi n d i n g t h a t p e rm a n e n t a li m o n y i s n o t n e ce s s a ry b a s e d u p o n e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u ti o n . S i n c e 2 0 1 4 , D e f e n d a n t h a s b e e n re ce i v i n g a l i m o n y p e n d e n te li te w h i c h awa rd , t h e M a s te r o b s e rv e s , i s to e n a b l e a p a rty to m a i n ta i n a d i vo rce a ct i o n a n d i s n o t a s u b s t i t u te fo r i n co m e w h e n t h e p a rty i s e m p l o ye d o r e m p l o ya b l e . Ad d i t i o n a ll y , D e f e n d a n t b o rrowe d $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 a g a i n s t t h e m a ri ta l re a l e s ta te s i n ce s e p a ra t i o n . T h e re fo re , t h e M a s te r re co m m e n d s t h a t t h e re q u e s t f o r co u n s e l f

e e s b e d e n i e d . T h e M a s te r re co m m e n d s t h a t P l a i n t i ff re ce i v e :

1 . I t a p p e a rs t h e M a s te r m e a n t to s ta t e a p a rt i c u l a r a s s e t o f t h e e s ta te ra t h e r t h a n re fe r s o l e l y to t h e re a l e s ta te . 

### 6P a g e 7 o :f' 3 2 S ch u y l. kil. l. C o \Ul t y Go v e rrooen t

P S E C U a c co u n t # 9 5 9 2 P S E C U a c co u n t 

### # 8 3 5 6 C o u n t ry M e a d ows 

### 4 0 1 ( K ) 

### 2 9 S h a re s of M e t Li f

e S to c k 2 0 0 0 W i l d e rn e s s C a m p e r 2 0 0 3 F o rd T ru c k H o n d a M o to rcy c l e 1 9 5 5 C h e v ro l e t B e l A i r 2 0 0 5 Kawa s a k i 4 - W h e e l e r P e rs o n a l P ro p e rty i n P l a i n t i ff' s P o s s e s s i o n U P S 4 0 1 ( K )
T h e M a s te r re co m m e n d s t h a t D e f e n d a n t re c e i v e t h e f

o ll ow i n g : M � ri ta l h o m e s u bj e ct to t h e co n d i t i o n t h a t h e re fi n a n ce t h e ex i s t i n g d e b t o n t h e m a ri ta l h o m e w i t h i n o n e h u n d re d twe n ty ( 1 2 0 ) d a ys fro m t h e fi n a l D i vo rce D e c re e i n o rd e r to re m o v e P l a i n t i ff' s n a m e fro m a n y o b l i g a t i o n s a s s o c i a te d w i t h t h e re a l m o rtg a g e w i t h C h a s e B a n k a n d t h e H o m e E q u i ty Li n e of C re d i t w i t h M e t ro B a n k 1 9 8 7 S u n li n e T ra il e r 2
. 0 0 0 W i l d e rn e ss C a m p e r 3 0 0 0 E Z D u m p T ra i l e r 2 0 0 3 F o rd T ru c k 

### 7P ag e 8 o f 3 2 S oh u y l..lt i � i c o un t y Gov e rnmen t

2 0 0 3 H a w k T ra il e r 1 9 9 5 F o rd P i c k- U p T ru c k 

### 1 9 8 8 F o rd T ru c k 

### 1 9 7 8 I n te rn a t i o n a l S co u t 2 0 0 5 D o d g e R a m 1 5 0 0 H o n d a M o to rcy c l e L a w n m owe r 2 0 0 5 C h i p p e r 2 0 0 7 T i re M a c h i n e/ B a l a n ce r A i r C o m p re s s o r Ro to t ill e r M i s ce ll a n e o u s to o l s , s aws a n d s p ra y e rs 5 5 " S o n y TV a n d S ta n d B e d C a s h re m o v e d fro m P S E C U a c co u n t # 9 5 9 2 ( $ 2 , 4 0 0
. 0 0 ) P S E C U a c co u n t # 9 0 04 P S E C U a c co u n t # 0 1 8 0 M e t ro B a n k a c co u n t 

### #4 7 6 3 M e t ro B a n k a c co u n t # 9 5 4 4 S a n ta n d e r B a n k a c co u n t # 9 6 5 0 S a n ta n d e r B a n k a c co u n t #4 9 1 3 S a n ta n d e r I RA 1 9 5 5 C h e v ro l e t B e l A i r 

### 8P ag e 9 o r 3 2 S ch u y l. kil l. C oun t y G o v ernmen t

2 0 1 3 H S S o ft T a i l 2 0 0 5 J o h n D e e re B a c k h o e 1 9 9 7 G M C B u c ke t T ru c k 1 9 9 9 J e e p C h e ro ke e 2 0 0 5 Kawa s a k i 4 - W h e e l e r S P C o n s t ru cti o n T ra i l e r

I n d e te r m i n i n g t h e e xce p t i o n s , t h e C o u rt re v i e we d th e re co rd , t h e M a s te r' s re p o rt , t h e p a rt i e s ' b ri e f

s a n d t h e p e rt i n e n t s ta t u to ry p ro v i s i o n s , t h e l a tte r w h i c h i n c l u d e t h e fo ll ow i n g . W i t h re s p e ct to e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u ti o n , t h e Di vo rce C o d e p ro v i d e s , i n p a rt , a s fo ll ows : ( a ) G e n e ra l ru l e . - - U p o n t h e re q u e s t of e i t h e r p a rty i n a n

a cti o n fo r d i v o rce o r a n n u l m e n t , t h e co u rt s h a l l e q u i ta b l y d i v i d e , d i s t ri b u te o r a s s i g n , i n k i n d o r o t h e rw i s e , t h e m a ri ta l p ro p e rty b e twe e n t h e p a rt i e s w i t h o u t re g a rd to m a ri ta l m i s co n d u ct i n s u c h p e rc e n ta g e s a n d i n s u c h m a n n e r a s t h e co u rt d e e m s j u s t a fte r co n s i d e r i n g a ll re l e v a n t f a cto rs . T h e co u rt m a y co n s i d e r e a c h m a ri ta l a s s e t o r g ro u p o f a s s e ts i n d e p e n d e n t ly a n d a p p l y a d i ff

e re n t p e rc e n ta g e to e a c h m a ri ta l a s s e t o r g ro u p o f a s s e ts . F a cto rs w h i c h a re re l e va n t to t h e e q u i ta b l e d i v i s i o n o f m a ri ta l p ro p e rty i n c l u d e t h e fo ll ow i n g : ( 1 ) T h e l e n g t h o f t h e m a r ri a g e . ( 2 ) A n y p ri o r m a rr i a g e o f e i t h e r p a rty . ( 3 ) T h e a g e , h e a l t h , s ta t i o n , a m o u n t a n d s o u rce s o f i n co m e , vo ca t i o n a l s k ill s , e m p l o ya b i l i ty , e s ta te , l i a b ili t i e s a n d n e e d s o f e a c h o f t h e p a rt i e s . (4 ) T h e co n t ri b u t i o n b y o n e p a rty to th e e d u c a ti o n ,



### 9P a g e 1 0 o � 3 2 S c h u y lki l l C o un t y Go v e rnmen t

t ra i n i n g o r i n c re a s e d e a rn i n g p owe r of t h e o t h e r p a rty . ( 5 ) T h e o p p o rt u n i ty o f e a c h p a rty fo r fu t u re a cq u i s i t i o n s o f ca p i ta l a s s e ts a n d i n co m e . ( 6 ) T h e s o u rce s o f i n co m e of b o t h p a rt i e s , i n c l u d i n g , b u t n o t li m i te d to , m e d i ca l , re t i re m e n t , i n s u ra n ce o r o t h e r b e n e fi ts . ( 7 ) T h e co n t ri b u ti o n o r d i s s i p a t i o n o f e a c h p a rty i n t h e a cq u i s i t i o n , p re s e rv a t i o n , d e p re c i a t i o n o r a p p re c i a t i o n of th e m a ri ta l p ro p e rty , i n c l u d i n g t h e co n t r i b u t i o n o f a p a rty a s h o m e m a ke r . ( 8 ) T h e v a l u e o f t h e p ro p e rty se t a p a rt to e a c h p a rty . ( 9 ) T h e s ta n d a rd of li v i n g o f t h e p a rt i e s e s ta b l i s h e d d u ri n g t h e m a r ri a g e . ( 1 0 ) T h e e co n o m i c c i rc u m s ta n c e s o f e a c h p a rty a t t h e t i m e t h e d i v i s i o n of p ro p e rty i s to b e co m e e ff e ct i v e . ( 1 0
. 1 ) T h e F e d e ra l , S ta te a n d l o ca l ta x ra m ifi ca t i o n s a s s o c i a te d w i t h e a c h a s s e t to b e d i v i d e d , d i s t ri b u te d o r a ss i g n e d , w h i c h ra m i fi c a t i o n s n e e d n o t b e i m m e d i a te a n d ce rta i n . ( 1 0
. 2 ) T h e e x p e n s e o f s a l e , tra n s f e r o r li q u i d a t i o n a s s o c i a te d w i t h a p a rt i c u l a r a s s e t , w h i c h ex p e n s e n e e d n o t b e i m m e d i a te a n d ce rta i n . ( 1 1 ) W h e t h e r t h e p a rty w i l l b e s e rv i n g a s t h e c u s tod i a n 

### of a n y d e p e n d e n t m i n o r c h i l d re n . 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 5 0 2 ( a )
.

T h e D i v o rc e C o d e s ta te s , i n p a rt , t h e fo ll ow i n g re l a t i v e to a n awa rd of a li m o n y . ( a ) G e n e ra l r u l e . - W h e re a d i vo rce d e c re e h a s b e e n e n te re d , t h e co u rt m a y a l l ow a l i m o n y , a s i t d e e m s re a s o n a b l e , to e it h e r p a rty o n l y i f i t fi n d s t h a t a l i m o n y i s n e c e s s a ry . 1 0P ag e 11 o f 3 2 S c h u y l k � l l C o un t y G o v e rnmen t

( b ) F a cto rs re l e v a n t. - - l n d e te r m i n i n g w h e t h e r a li m o n y i s n e ce s s a ry a n d i n d e te r m i n i n g t h e n a t u re , a m o u n t , d u ra t i o n a n d m a n n e r of p a y m e n t of a l i m o n y , t h e co u rt s h a l l co n s i d e r a ll re l e v a n t fa cto rs , i n c l u d i n g : ( 1 ) T h e re l a t i v e e a rn i n g s a n d e a rn i n g ca p a c i t i e s of t h e p a rt i e s . ( 2 ) T h e a g e s a n d t h e p h ys i ca l , m e n ta l a n d e m o t i o n a l co n d i t i o n s of t h e p a rt i e s . ( 3 ) T h e s o u rce s of i n co m e o f b o t h p a rt i e s , i n c l u d i n g , b u t n o t li m i te d to , m e d i ca l , re t i re m e n t , i n s u ra n c e o r o t h e r b e n e fi ts . (4 ) T h e ex p e cta n ci e s a n d i n h e ri ta n c e s o f t h e p a rt i e s . ( 5 ) T h e d u ra t i o n of t h e m a r ri a g e . ( 6 ) T h e co n t ri b u t i o n b y o n e p a rty to t h e e d u ca t i o n , t ra i n i n g o r i n c re a s e d e a rn i n g p owe r o f t h e o t h e r p a rty . ( 7 ) T h e exte n t to w h i c h t h e e a rn i n g p owe r , e x p e n s e o r fi n a n ci a l o b li g a ti o n s of a p a rty w i ll b e aff e cte d b y re a s o n of s e rv i n g a s t h e c u s to d i a n o f a m i n o r c h i l d . ( 8 ) T h e s ta n d a rd o f l i v i n g o f t h e p a rt i e s e s ta b l i s h e d d u ri n g t h e m a rri a g e . ( 9 ) T h e re l a t i v e e d u c a t i o n of t h e p a rt i e s a n d t h e ti m e n e c e s s a ry to a cq u i re s u ff i c i e n t e d u c a t i o n o r t ra i n i n g to e n a b l e t h e p a rty s e e k i n g a l i m o n y to fi n d a p p ro p ri a te e m p l o y m e n t. ( 1 0 ) T h e re l a ti v e a s s e ts a n d li a b ili t i e s o f t h e p a rt i e s . { 1 1 ) T h e p ro p e rty b ro u g h t to t h e m a r ri a g e b y e i t h e r p a rty . ( 1 2 ) T h e co n t ri b u t i o n o f a s p o u s e a s h o m e m a ke r. ( 1 3 ) T h e re l a t i v e n e e d s of t h e p a rt i e s . ( 1 4 ) T h e m a ri ta l m i s co n d u ct of e i t h e r of t h e p a rt i e s d u ri n g t h e m a r ri a g e . T h e m a ri ta l m i s co n d u ct o f e i t h e r o f t h e p a rt i e s fro m t h e d a te o f fi n a l s e p a ra t i o n s h a ll n o t b e co n s i d e re d b y t h e co u rt i n i ts d e t e r m i n a ti o n s re l a t i v e 1 1P ag e 1 2 o f 3 2 S oh u y l k i l1 C o un t y C3ov e rnmen t

to a l i m o n y . . { 1 5 ) T h e F e d e ra l , S ta te a n d l o ca l ta x ra m i fi ca t i o n s o f t h e a li m o n y awa rd . 

### ( 1 6 ) W h e t h e r t h e p a rty s ee k i n g a l i m o n y l a c ks s u ffi c i e n t p ro p e rty , i n c l u d i n g , b u t n o t li m i te d to , p ro p e rty d i s t ri b u te d u n d e r C h a p te r 

### 3 5 ( re l a t i n g to p ro p e rty ri g h ts ) , to p ro v i d e fo r t h e p a rty ' s re a s o n a b l e n e e d s . ( 1 7 ) W h e t h e r t h e p a rty s e e k i n g a l i m o n y i s i n ca p a b l e of s e l f - s u p p o rt th ro u g h a p p ro p ri a te e m p l o y m e n t. 

### 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 7 0 1 ( a )
. ( b )
.

F i n a ll y , t h e D i vo rce C o d e s ta te s t h a t i n " p ro p e r ca s e s , " t h e re a s o n a b l e co u n s e l f e e s a n d e x p e n s e s m a y b e a ll owe d . 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 7 0 2
.

E x c e p t i o n s P l a i n t i ff a n d D e f

e n d a n t b o t h co m p l a i n t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d b y p ro p o s i n g t h a t fi v e i te m s of p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty b e d i s t ri b u te d to b o t h p a rt i e s . T h o s e i te m s a re :

2 0 0 0 W i l d e rn e s s C a m p e r: v a l u e d a t $ 1 , 8 0 0
. 0 0 2 0 0 3 F ord T r u c k : v a l u e d a t $ 1 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 H o n d a M o to rcyc l e : va l u e d a t $ 4 5 0
. 0 0 1 9 5 5 C h e v ro l e t B e l A i r: v a l u e d a t $ 2 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 ; a n d ,

1 2P a g e 1 3 o f 3 2 S c h u y l ki l l C o un t y G ov e rnmen t

2 0 0 5 Kawa s a k i 4 -w h e e l e r: va l u e d a t $ 2 , 0 0 0
. 0 0
. 8 T h e p a rt i e s s t i p u l a te d to t h e va l u e s of t h e i te m s w i t h t h e e xce p t i o n o f t h e 4 - w h e e l e r. N e i t h e r s p e c i f i ca ll y o bj e cts to t h e va l u e t h e M a s te r p l a ce d o n t h a t i te m . B o t h p a rt i e s s u g g e s t t h a t D e f e n d a n t b e awa rd e d t h e i te m s a s D e f e n d a n t e i t h e r p o s s e s s e s o r d i s p o s e d of t h e m . T h e C o u rt w i l l s u s ta i n t h e e x ce p t i o n s a n d awa rd t h e i te m s to D e f e n d a n t. T h e b a l a n c e of D e f e n d a n t' s e x ce p ti o n s w ill b e a d d re s s e d n e xt . D e f e n d a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r e rre d i n fi n d i n g t h e m a ri ta l p o rt i o n o f P l a i n t i ff s W e ll s F a rg o I RA to b e $ 7 , 2 9 0
. 7 0 , w i t h t h e p re - m a ri ta l p o rt i o n b e i n g $ 1 , 1 3 3 .4 7 . D e f e n d a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h e m a ri ta l p o rt i o n i s $ 1 0 , 2 1 1
. 9 9
. D e f e n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t E x h i b i t D - 1 1 i n d i ca te s t h a t t h e I RA v a l u e wa s $ 8 , 4 2 4 . 17 a s o f M a y 3 1 , 2 0 1 3
. H owe v e r , E x h i b i t D -4 3 i n d i ca te s t h a t t h e v a l u e wa s $ 1 1 , 3 4 5 .4 6 o n D e ce m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 6
. P l a i n t iff cl a i m s th e M a s te r d i d n o t e r r i n t h e va l u a t i o n a s t h e v a l u e a t s e p a ra t i o n wa s $ 8 , 4 2 4 . 17
. N e i t h e r p a rty a d d re s s e d t h e re a s o n f o r t h e i n c re a s e i n va l u e o r s p e c i fi ca ll y a rg u e d w h y t h e d a te o f s e p a ra t i o n o r t h a t n ea re r to t h e fi n a l h e a ri n g o f D e c e m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 wa s th e p ro p e r va l u a t i o n d a te . I n li g h t o f t h e fa cts , i t a p p e a rs n o m a ri ta l fu n d s we re co n t ri b u te d to t h e I RA p o s tm a r ri a g e . C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e M a s te r' s va l u a t i o n d a te i s a c ce p te d a s 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 5 0 1 ( a . 1 ) p ro v i d e s t h a t t h e i n c re a s e i n va l u e d u ri n g t h e m a rri a g e o f n o n m a ri ta l p ro p e rty s h o u l d b e m e a s u re d fro m t h e d a te of m a r ri a g e to e i th e r t h e d a te of s e p a ra t i o n o r t h a t cl o s e s t to t h e e q u ita b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n h e a ri n g d e p e n d i n g o n w h i c h d a te re s u l ts i n a l e s s e r

8 I n h i s b ri e f, D e f

e 'r1 d a n t c l a i m s t h e M a s te r e r ro n e o u s l y re f e rre d to a 20 0 0 Kawa s a k i w h i ch d o e s n o t e x i s t. T h e M a s te r i d e n t i fi e d a 2 0 0 0 Kawa s a k i m o to rcy c l e v a l u e d a t $ 4 0 0
. 0 0 a n d t h e tw i c e- awa rd e d 2 0 0 5 Kawa s a k i 4 -w h e e l e r v a l u e d a t $ 2 , 0 0 0
. 0 0
. Al t h o u g h D e f e n d a n t b ri e f

ed t h e cl a i m , h e d i d n o t f i l e a s p e c i fi c exc e p t i o n a b o u t t h e a l l e g e d e r ro r. Th e C o u rt co u l d fi n d n o re f e re n ce to t h e m o to rcyc l e w h i c h t h e M a s te r i n d i ca te d h a d b e e n s o l d i n t h e h e a ri n g re co rd . H owe v e r, t h e re co rd i n d i ca te s D e f e n d a n t te s t ifi e d to s e ll i n g a H o n d a X R d i rt b i ke f o r $4 0 0
. 0 0 re s u l t i n g i n a n y e r ro r of i d e n t ifi ca t i o n b y t h e M a s te r i rre l e va n t to t h e p ro p o s e d d i s t ri b u t i o n . 1 3P a g e 1 4 o f 3 2 S c h u y l k i l l C o un t y G o v e nm,en t

i n c re a s e . 9 Ad d it i o n a ll y , D e f e n d a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n n o t d i s t ri b u t i n g t h e W e ll s F a rg o I RA o f $ 1 0 , 2 1 1
. 9 9
. P l a i n t i ff co n te n d s t h a t s h e wa s t h e ow n e r of t h e I RA p ri o r to m a r ri a g e a n d t h e re wa s n o n e e d to re co m m e n d a d i s t ri b u t i o n . Al t h o u g h i t co u l d b e a rg u e d t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n n o t m e n t i o n i n g t h e d i s p o s i t i o n i n h i s p ro p o s e d awa rd , a n y p o te n t i a l e r ro r i s h a rm l e s s 

### a s t h e a s s e t b e l o n g s to P l a i n t i ff
. D e f e n d a n t a l s o co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r d e te rm i n e d t h e m a ri ta l p o rt i o n o f P l a i n t i ff' s U P S S a v i n g s P l a n to b e $ 1 8 7 , 1 2 5 . 0 0 a n d co n t e n d s t h a t t h e a m o u n t s h o u l d b e $ 2 5 8 , 4 2 9
. 3 8
. D e f

e n d a n t cl a i m s t h a t P l a i n t i ff s t i p u l a te d t h a t t h e v a l u e o f t h e U P S S a v i n g s P l a n wa s 

### $ 2 8 5 , 5 8 8 . 5 6 , a s i n d i ca te d i n E x h i b i t D - 2 1 ( T ra n s c ri p t , D e ce m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 , p a g e 9 5 )
. H e co n te n d s t h a t t h e v a l u e a s o f t h e d a te o f t h e m a r r i a g e wa s $ 2 7 , 1 5 9
. 1 8
. D e fe n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t t h e d i ff e re n c e s u p p o rts h i s v a l u a t i o n o f t h e m a ri ta l p o rt i o n . P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h a t t h e b a l a n c e i n t h e s a v i n g s p l a n a t s e p a ra t i o n wa s $ 2 1 4 , 2 8 4 . 1 8 a n d s i n c e 

### $ 2 7 , 1 5 9
. 1 8 wa s p re - m a ri ta l , t h e m a ri ta l p o rt i o n i s $ 1 8 7 , 1 2 5 . 0 0
. S h e c i te s h e r E x h i b i t 

### # 6 a n d te s t i m o n y fro m t h e O cto b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 h e a ri n g , t ra n s c ri o t a t p g . 4 0 , i n s u p p o rt o f h e r p o s l t i o n . T h e C o u rt fi n d s t h e p e rt i n e n t m a ri ta l v a l u e to b e $ 2 5 8 ,4 2 9
. 3 8 

### a s t h e v a l u a t i o n d a te cl o s e s t 

### to t h e l a s t h e a ri n g o n e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n i s t h e m o s t e q u i ta b l e a s n o e v i d e n c e i n d i c a te s e i t h e r p a rty d i d a n yt h i n g f o ll ow i n g s e p a ra t i o n to a ff

e ct t h e v a l u e of t h e a s s e t. D e f e n d a n t c l a i m s t h e M a s t e r e r re d i n n o t fi n d i n g t h a t t h e U P S s to c k h a d a m a ri ta l v a l u e o f $ 8 , 0 1 4 . 5 6
. 

### H e a rg u e s t h a t a s o f t h e d a te o f m a r ri a g e , P l a i n t i ff h a d 

### 2 , 6 5 3 s h a re s o f U P S s to c k v a l u e d a t $ 9 0 , 2 0 2
. 0 0 , t h a t d u ri n g t h e m a rr i a g e P l a i n t iff o b ta i n e d a d d i ti o n a l U P S s to c k - n a m e l y , 5 , 8 2 2
. 0 5 3 3 s h a re s - a n d t h a t d u ri n g t h a t t i m e s h e s o l d 8 , 4 0 1
. 3 9 s h a re s of s to c k , t h e l a tte r to ta l i n g $ 5 6 0 , 3 2 1
. 9 1
. Ac co rd i n g to D e f e n d a n t , t h e 9 T h e d e c re a s e i n th e n o n m a ri ta l U P S s to c k a c co u n t , n e v e rt h e l e s s , o ff s e ts t h i s i n c re a s e . 1 4P ag e 1 5 o f 3 2 S ch uy l k i l l C o un t y Go ve rnmen t

re m a i n i n g 7 3
. 6 6 3 s h a re s we re a cq u i re d b y P l a i n t i ff d u ri n g t h e m a rr i a g e i n 2 0 0 6 a n d 2 0 0 7 . P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h a t s h e ow n e d 2 , 6 5 3 s h a re s of s to c k w h e n s h e m a r ri e d D e f e n d a n t , t h a t s h e ow n e d 7 3
. 6 6 3 3 s h a re s a t s e p a ra t i o n , t h a t t h e l a s t s a l e o cc u r re d i n 2 0 0 8 , a n d t h a t t h e v a l u e s o f h e r s to c k we re $ 9 0 , 2 0 2
. 0 0 a t t h e d a te o f m a r ri a g e a n d $ 6 , 2 6 6
. 3 2 a t s e p a ra t i o n , re s p e ct i v e l y . P l a i n t i ff cl a i m s t h a t t h e va l u e o f t h e a s s e t w h i c h s h e te rm s n o n m a ri ta l d e c re a s e d b y $ 8 3 , 9 3 5 . 6 8
. T h e re co rd i n d i ca te s t h a t P l a i n t i ff h e l d U P S s to c k i n a n a cco u n t a t m a r ri a g e . T h e s to c k s p li t , s h a re s we re s o l d , p u rc h a s e d a n d g i v e n to c h a ri ty . D e f e n d a n t d i d n o t i d e n t if

y e v i d e n ce i n t h e re co rd to i n d i ca te t h a t t h e a c co u n t d e c re a s e d to " O " o r a n y f i g u re l e s s t h a n " 7 4 " s h a re s a t a n y ti m e d u ri n g t h e m a r ri a g e s u c h t h a t t h e re m a i n i n g s h a re s m a y b e d i re ctl y t ra c e a b l e to m a ri ta l p u rc h a s e s . As t h e v a l u e of t h e e n t i re a cco u n t d e c re a s e d o v e r t h e m a r ri a g e , i t wa s n o t e rro r fo r t h e M a s te r to co n s i d e r t h e re m a i n i n g v a l u e of t h e a s s e t a s n o n m a ri ta l . D e f e n d a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r f a i l e d to f a cto r d i v i d e n d s o f a b o u t $ 8 0 0
. 0 0 fro m t h e U P S s to c k re ce i v e d b y P l a i n t i ff fo l l ow i n g s e p a ra ti o n i n to t h e d i s t ri b u ti o n s c h e m e . P l a i n t i ff d o e s n o t a d d re s s t h e l a tte r i s s u e . T h e a m o u n t p re s u m a b l y wa s i n c l u d e d i n ca l c u l a t i n g P l a i n t i ff ' s e a rn i n g s f

o r co n s i d e ra ti o n i n t h e awa rd o f c h i l d s u p p o rt a n d a l i m o n y p e n d e n te li te w h i c h D e f e n d a n t h a s re c e i v ed s i n ce 2 0 1 4 a s P l a i n t i ff te s t i fi e d t h a t t h e d i v i d e n d s we re i n cl u d e d i n h e r i n co m e fo r ta x p u rp o s e s . T h e M a s te r' s exc l u s i o n of t h e li m i te d i n co m e re ce i v e d b y P l a i n t iff a p p l i ca b l e to t h e n o n m a ri ta l a s s e t p o s t- s e p a ra t i o n i s n o t fo u n d i n e r ro r . Ac co rd i n g l y , t h e ex ce p t i o n i s d e n i e d . D e f e n d a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n d i s co u n ti n g h i s te s t i m o n y re g a rd i n g h i s h e a l t h i s s u e s . D e f e n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t t h e M a s te r f a il e d to co n s i d e r t h a t t h e re co rd 

### 1 5P 1> g e 1 6 o f 3 2 S c h u y l k i.1 1 c oun t y Go v ernmen t

co n ta i n e d n o e v i d e n ce d i s p u t i n g D e f e n d a n t ' s te s ti m o n y a b o u t h i s h a v i n g b a c k p ro b l e m s a n d t h e d e g re e t h e y i m p a cte d a n d m a y i m p a ct h i s e a rn i n g s a n d e a rn i n g ca p a c i ty . P l a i n t i ff co u n te rs b y a rg u i n g t h a t n o m e d i ca l te s t i m o n y wa s off e re d to i n d i ca te t h a t D e f e n d a n t co u l d n o t wo rk . F u rt h e r, s h e s ta te s t h a t D e f e n d a n t te s t i fi e d to s e e i n g a d o cto r o n l y o n c e o r tw i c e a ye a r a n d to n o t ta k i n g m e d i ca t i o n f o r h i s b a c k . T h e M a s te r h e a rd t h e te s t i m o n y , e v a l u a te d t h e c re d i b ili ty o f t h e w i t n e s s e s , wa s i n t h e b e s t p o s i t i o n to j u d g e t h e i r c re d i b i li ty a n d to a s s i g n we i g h t to t h e re s p e cti v e te s t i m o n y . I n li g h t o f t h e li m i te d e v i d e n c e off e re d o n t h e m a tte r, i t i s n o t f o u n d th a t t h e M a s te r e r re d a s cl a i m e d b y D e f e n d a n t e s p e ci a ll y s i n ce t h e M a s te r fo u n d D e f e n d a n t n o t to b e a c re d i b l e wi t n e s s . N e v e rt h e l e s s , i t i s n o te d t h a t te s ti m o n y o r o t h e r e v i d e n c e s p e c i f i ca l l y co n t ra d i ct i n g D e f e n d a n t ' s c l a i m s a b o u t s u ff e ri n g a b a c k p ro b l e m we re n o t e l i c i te d . D e f

e n d a n t te s t i fi e d to t h e l a b o r i n vo l v e d i n h i s wo rk , h ow h e ta ke s t i m e o ff fro m wo rk i f h e i s i n p a i n , t h a t h e d o e s n o t d e s i re to ta ke m e d i ca t i o n to m a s k t h e s y m p to m s a n d h a s t ri e d to a vo i d i n v a s i v e p ro ce d u re s w h i c h m a y p re c l u d e h i s wo r k i n g i n h i s c u rre n t o c c u p a t i o n . D e f e n d a n t , h owe v e r, e n g a g e d i n t h e s a m e wo rk p ri o r to a n d t h ro u g h o u t t h e m a rri a g e a n d f o ll ow i n g s e p a ra t i o n . T h e b a c k p ro b l e m s h a v e n o t p re c l u d e d h i m fro m co n ti n u i n g w h a t t h e e v i d e n c e i n d i ca te s i s a l a b o r- i n te n s i v e b u s i n e s s . N e v e rt h e l e s s . b a s e d o n t h e e v i d e n ce e l i c i te d , t h e C o u rt m a y o n l y s p e c u l a te w h a t D e f

e n d a n t m a y s p e c i fi ca ll y o r , i n g e n e ra l , e a rn i n a n o t h e r fi e l d o f e n d e a vo r. D e f e n d a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h e M a s te r e rre d i n fi n d i n g h i m u n d e r- e m p l o ye d s i n ce h e cl a i m s n o e v i d e n c e e s ta b l i s h e d h e wa s a b l e to o b ta i n e m p l o y m e n t i n a p a rt i c u l a r j o b t h a t wa s a v a il a b l e to h i m w h i c h h e co u l d p e rf o r m a n d w h i c h wo u l d i n cre a s e h i s e a rn i n g s o r e a rn i n g ca p a c i ty . P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h a t D e f e n d a n t i s f

o rty- s e v e n y e a rs o l d , i n g o o d 

### 1 6P ag e 1 7 o r 3 2 S ch u y l k i ll C oun t y Go ve rnmen t

h e a l th , h a s b e e n a s e l f -e m p l o y e d l a n d s ca p e r s i n c e 1 9 9 3 a n d h a s n u m e ro u s s k ill s . S h e n o te s t h a t D e f

e n d a n t te s t i fi e d to h i s h a v i n g b u i l t two h o m e s w i t h t h e a s s i s ta n ce o f h i s f a t h e r, i n c l u d i n g t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n ce t h a t h a s a s t i p u l a te d v a l u e of $ 3 8 1 , 0 0 0
. 0 0
. F u rt h e r, s h e a rg u e s D e f e n d a n t ra n a tow i n g b u s i n e s s d u ri n g t h e m a rri a g e , h a s a co m m e rc i a l d ri v e r' s l i c e n s e , ca n o p e ra te n u m e ro u s ty p e s o f h e a vy e q u i p m e n t a n d p u rc h a s e s a n d re s e ll s ve h i c l e s o n l i n e a n d a t a u to s h ows fo r a d d i t i o n a l i n co m e . D e s p i t e h i s n u m e ro u s s k i ll s , P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s D e f e n d a n t o n ly c l a i m e d $ 8 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 i n i n co m e i n 2 0 1 5 . T h e M a s te r' s fi n d i n g s a re n o t i n e rro r b a s e d u p o n t h e e v i d e n c e h e h e a rd . A l t h o u g h P l a i n t i ff a p p a re n t l y s i g n e d i n co m e tax re t u rn s o v e r t h e ye a rs v e ri fy i n g w h a t t h e p a rt i e s we re re p o rt i n g D e f e n d a n t e a rn e d , s h e d i d n o t te s t ify t h a t th e re t u rn s w e re i n e r ro r o r t h a t s h e h a d co m p l a i n e d a b o u t D e f e n d a n t' s l a c k of co n t ri b u t i o n to h o u s e h o l d i n co m e d e s p i te h i s h a v i n g a ll t h e s k i ll s s h e n o w a rg u e s h e p o s s e s s es . N e v e rt h e l e s s , t h e re co rd e s ta b l i s h e s D e f e n d a n t i s ca p a b l e o f e n g a g i n g i n n u m e ro u s fi e l d s . As D e f e n d a n t te s t i fi e d t h a t h i s s e l f - e m p l o y m e n t i s s e a s o n a l , h e d i d n o t e x p l a i n w h a t h e m o re re c e n t l y d o e s i n t h e off - s e a s o n o r w h y h e i s n o t e n g a g e d i n s o m e wo r k a t t h a t t i m e . C l e a rl y , h e i s n ow n o t e m p l o y i n g a l l o f h i s p o te n t i a l s k i ll s i n a fi e l d - s u c h a s co m m e rc i a l t ru c k d ri v e r o r tow t ru c k d r i v e r - d u ri n g t h a t t i m e . D e f e n d a n t c l a i m e d t h a t h e d i d va ri o u s wo � k i n p ri o r ye a rs d u ri n g t h e off - s e a s o n w h i c h h e n o l o n g e r d o e s . A l t h o u g h h e te s t i fi e d t h a t wa s d u e , i n p a rt , to t h e co s t i n vo l v e d , h e off e re d n o re a s o n h e co u l d n o t o b ta i n off

- s e a s o n wo rk i n s o m e fi e l d - w h e t h e r wo rk i n g f o r s o m e o n e e l s e o r o t h e rw i s e . M o re o v e r , i n li g h t of a ll t h e e v i d e n ce a b o u t D e f e n d a n t' s a b ili t i e s , 

### it wo u l d a p p e a r h i s i n co m e i s e i t h e r u n d e r re p o rte d o r s o m e u n d i s cl o s e d f a cts e x p l a i n h i s t r u e fi n a n c i a l 

### 1 7P ag e 1 8 o f 3 2 S ohuyl.k .i l.l C oun t y Go v ernmen t

s i t u a t i o n . A l t h o u g h t h e M a s te r m a d e n o p a rt i c u l a r fi n d i n g a b o u t D e f e n d a n t' s e a rn i n g ca p a c i ty re l a t i v e to h i s h e a l t h a n d s k ill s , a s n o te d , t h e M a s te r fo u n d D e f e n d a n t n o t to b e a c re d i b l e w i t n e s s . P l a i n t i ff off e re d n o p a rt i c u l a ri z e d i n fo rm a t i o n o n t h e s u bj e ct - s u c h a s 

### b y i d e n t i f

y i n g a s a l a ri e d p o s i t i o n o r h o u rl y wa g e wo rk a v a i l a b l e a n d co m p a ti b l e w it h D e f e n d a n t' s s k i ll s . As a re s u l t , t h e re co rd d o e s n o t e n a b l e t h e C o u rt to fi n d D e f e n d a n t ca p a b l e of e n g a g i n g i n s o m e s p e c i f i c wo r k w h i c h i s c u r re n t l y o r l i ke l y to b e a v a il a b l e a n d t h e s a l a ry o r ra te of p a y fo r t h e p o s i t i o n . H o we v e r , i t d o e s e s ta b l i s h t h a t D e f e n d a n t i s n o t wo rk i n g a t h i s ca p a c i ty . D e f e n d a n t c l a i m s t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n fi n d i n g t h a t n e i t h e r p a rty o ff e re d te s ti m o n y re g a rd i n g h i s/ h e r o p p o rt u n i ty fo r fu t u re a cq u i s i ti o n o f a s s e ts a n d i n co m e . T h e M a s te r d i d n o t e r r re l a t i v e to t h e p re s e n ta t i o n of te s t i m o n y d i re cte d s p e ci fi ca ll y to t h a t i s s u e . H owe v e r, t h e e v i d e n c e d i d e s ta b l i s h t h a t b a s e d o n th e re s p e ct i v e re p o rte d i n co m e s of t h e p a rt i e s a n d t h e i r e d u ca t i o n a l b a c kg ro u n d s , a fi n d i n g ca n b e a n d s h o u l d h a v e b e e n m a d e t h a t P l a i n t i ff' s c u r re n t a b i l i ty to a cq u i re a s s e ts e xce e d s t h a t of D e f e n d a n t a t t h i s t i m e . I t i s n o te d t h a t D e f e n d a n t c l a i m s h e i s fi n a n c i a ll y u n a b l e to o b ta i n a n o t h e r h o m e fro m w h i c h to r u n h i s b u s i n e s s a n d t h a t i m p a cts h i s a b i l i ty to a cq u i re a s s e ts . H owe v e r, n o re a s o n a b l e fi n a n c i a l m o t i v e f o r h i m to m a i n ta i n a h o m e i n S c h u y l k i l l C o u n ty v a l u e d a t $ 3 8 1 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 s o to e n a b l e a b u s i n e s s w h i c h p u rp o rte d l y re s u l ts i n i n co m e l i m i te d to a b o u t $ 8 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 n e t p e r y e a r wa s p ro v i d e d . D e f e n d a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n h i s fi n d i n g s re g a rd i n g D e f e n d a n t' s o b ta i n i n g a l i n e of c re d i t w h i c h t h e M a s te r s o m e h ow " f a cto re d a s c re d i t to D e f e n d a n t i n s te a d of a d e b t , " w h e n co n s i d e r i n g i s s u es of a l i m o n y , a tto rn e y f ee s a n d co s ts . Ac co rd i n g to D e f

e n d a n t , h e h a d e xte n d e d a $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 h o m e e q u i ty li n e of c re d i t 

### 18P ag e 1 9 o f 3 2 S ch u y l k i l l C o un t y G ov e rnmen t

d u ri n g t h e p e n d e n cy o f t h i s a cti o n . T h e p a rt i e s s t i p u l a te d t h a t t h e l i n e o f c re d i t h a d a b a l a n ce o f 

### $ 1 , 9 6 9 . 0 0 a s of t h e d a te o f s e p a ra ti o n . D e f e n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t i n co n s i d e ri n g D e f e n d a n t' s re q u e s t fo r a n awa rd o f a l! m o n y a n d a tto rn e y fe e s , t h e M a s te r a p p li e d t h a t d e b t to re d u ce t h e v a l u e o f t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n ce a n d re co m m e n d e d th a t D e f e n d a n t p a y t h e m o n e y b a c k i n 

### 1 2 0 d a ys . D e f e n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t h e i n c u r re d 

### $ 2 6 , 3 3 8 . 2 3 i n a tto rn e y f e e s a n d co s ts , p e r E x h i b i t 0 -4 2 , a n d t h a t h e o b ta i n e d t h e h o m e e q u i ty l i n e o f c re d i t to m a i n ta i n t h e li ti g a ti o n . P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h a t s h e h a s b e e n p a y i n g p e ri o d i c a li m o n y p e n d e n te li te to D e f e n d a n t i n t h e a m o u n t o f 

### $ 1 ,4 7 3 . 8 4 s i n c e A u g u s t 2 7 , 

### 2 0 1 4 - to ta li n g m o re t h a n 

### $ 5 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 a s o f t h e d a te o f h e r m e m ora n d u m - w h i c h , s h e s a ys , s h o u l d h a v e b e e n u s e d fo r D e f

e n d a n t' s l i ti g a t i o n ca s ts . R a t h e r, P l a i n t iff c l a i m s D e f e n d a n t p u rc h a s e d a b o a t , a 4 -w h e e le r, a 

### $ 3 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 v e h i c l e a n d p i e ce s o f e q u i p m e n t fo r h i s b u s i n e s s d u ri n g s e p a ra t i o n , c i t i n g te s t i m o n y re ce i v e d o n D e ce m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 6 a t p a g e s 1 3 6 a n d 2 0 6 o f t h e t ra n s c ri p t. F u rt h e r , P l a i n ti ff co m p l a i n s t h a t s h e p rod u ce d h u n d red s o f d o c u m e n ts i n t h i s li t i g a t i o n a n d t h a t d e l a ys i n t h e d i vo rce p ro c e e d i n g s we re ca u s e d b y t h e n e ce s s i ty t h a t s h e p ro d u ce t h o s e d o c u m e n ts u p o n t h e e x p e cta t i o n t h a t D e f e n d a n t wa s ca lli n g a n a c co u n ta n t to � e s t i fy a b o u t t h e m a n d t h a t t h e d e l a ys o n l y s e rv e d to i n c re a s e co u n s e l f e e s w h i l e D e f

e n d a n t ca ll e d n o a c co u n ta n t to te s t i f y . As a re s u l t , P l a i n t i ff a tt ri b u te s u n s p e c i fi e d d e l a ys i n t h e p ro ce e d i n g s , t h e co n t i n u e d A P L p a y m e n ts a n d t h e i n c re a s e d a tto rn e y f

e e s i n c u r re d b y b o t h p a rt i e s to D e f e n d a n t' s co n d u ct d u ri n g t h e l i t i g a t i o n . T h e re co rd re ve a l s t h a t th e l i t i g a t i o n wa s i n d e e d d e l a y e d d u e to D e f e n d a n t' s i n s i s te n c e o n re c e i v i n g d o c u m e n ts fro m P l a i n t i ff o r a b o u t h e r a s s e ts . T h e p a rt i e s s h o u l d h a v e b e e n p re p a re d f o r t h e M a s t e r' s h e a ri n g w h e n fi rs t s c h e d u l e d . P l a i n t iff



### 1 9P ag e 2 0 o f; 3 2 S c h uy l k � l.l. C o un t y Go v e rnmen t

co r re ct l y n o te s t h a t n o ex p e rt w i t n e s s wa s ca ll e d b y D e f e n d a n t to te s t ify
. T h e fi rs t M a s te r' s h e a r i n g wa s h e l d o n O cto b e r 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 , t h e s e co n d wa s h e l d o n D e c e m b e r 6 , 2 0 1 6 , a n d t h e t h i rd wa s h e l d o n D e ce m b e r 2 8 , 2 0 1 6
. T h e M a s te r d i d n o t e r r i n co n s i d e ri n g d e l a ys i n t h e p ro ce e d i n g s s o u g h t b y D e f e n d a n t , D e f

e n d a n t ' s p u rc h a s i n g a $ 4 , 5 0 0
. 0 0 b o a t a n d v a ri o u s m o to r v e h i cl e s w h i l e re c e i v i n g a l i m o n y p e n d e n te l i te a n d h i s co n te n d i n g t h a t h e n e e d e d t h e A P L , to g e t h e r w i t h t h e a p p rox i m a te $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 l i n e of c re d i t e xte n s i o n , to li v e a n d co n t i n u e t h e l i t i g a t i o n . N e v e rt h e l e s s , t h e re co rd i n d i ca te s t h e d e l a ys b e twe e n h e a ri n g s w e re l i m i te d a n d b a s e d u p o n D e f e n d a n t' s re q u e s ts f

o r fi n a n ci a l d o c u m e n ts w h i c h d i d re s u l t i n t h e p ro d u ct i o n of re l e v a n t i n fo r m a t i o n . A l t h o u g h t h e re co rd d o e s n o t s u p p o rt a fi n d i n g t h a t t h e re q u e s ts we re u n wa r ra n te d , n e i t h e r p a rty e x p l a i n e d w h y t h e i n fo r m a t i o n h a d n o t b e e n ob ta i n e d o r p ro v i d e d e a rli e r o r w h y 

### i t to o k ov e r t h re e y e a r� f

o r t h i s d i vo rce a cti o n to p ro c e e d to h e a ri n g . T h e M a s te r ce rta i n l y co u l d co n s i d e r t h a t D e f e n d a n t f a il e d to c re d i b l y ex p l a i n w h y h e p u rc h a s e d t h e va ri o u s i te m s o f p e rs o n a l ty d u ri n g t h e l i t i g a t i o n w h i l e i n th e d i ff i c u l t f i n a n c i a l s i t u a t i o n h e cl a i m e d to fa c e . 1 0 T h e M a s te r a p p ro p ri a te l y a s s i g n e d t h e i n c re a s e i n t h e l i n e o f c re d i t w h i c h re s u l te d i n i n c re a s i n g t h e l i e n a g a i n s t t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n ce a s D e f e n d a n t' s re s p o n s i b ili ty . H e fu rt h e r p ro p e rl y co n s i d e re d t h e s u r ro u n d i n g fa cts i n v o l v i n g D e f

e nd a n t ' s fi n a n ci a l c l a i m s . I n t h i s re g a rd , t h e M a s te r f o u n d t h e m a ri ta l li n e o f c re d i t d e b t to b e $ 1 , 9 6 9
. 0 0
. H e p ro p o s e d t h a t s i n c e D e f e n d a n t e xte n d e d t h e h o m e e q u i ty l i n e o f c re d it w h i c h re s u l te d i n i n c re a s i n g t h e li e n a g a i n s t t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n c e w i t h o u t P l a i n t i ff s

1 0 I n h i s te s t i m o n y , D ef

e n d a n t d i d n o t cl e a rl y i d e n t rfy t h e a m o u n t of a tto rn e y f e e s a n d co s ts i n c u rred s p e ci fi ca ll y re l a te d to th e d i vo rce a ct i o n , s e p a ra te fro m t h e p a rt i e s ' c u s to d y d i s p u te . 2 0P ag e 2 1 o f 3 2 S ch u y l k :i. l. l. County Gove = t

k n ow l e d g e , D e f

e n d a n t , w h o t h e M a s te r p ro p o s e d re ce i v e t h e h o m e , s h o u l d b e re s p o n s i b l e to s a t i s fy t h e e n t i re d e b t. N o e r ro r e x i s ts i n t h a t re co m m e n d a t i o n . 1 1 D e f e n d a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t p u rs u a n t to 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 5 0 2 ( a ) ( 1 0
. 1 ) , t h e M a s te r wa s re q u i re d to co n s i d e r tax ra m i fi ca t i o n s a s s o c i a te d w i t h e a c h a s s e t to b e d i s t ri b u te d o r d i v i d e d . D e f

e n d a n t c l a i m s t h a t h e te s t i fi e d t h a t h e wo u l d i n c u r a n e i g h te e n p e rce n t i n co m e tax co n s e q u e n ce i f a b us i n e s s a s s e t we re s o l d , i n c l u d i n g t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n ce . Acco rd i n g to D e f

e n d a n t , h e h a d c l a i m e d d e p re ci a t i o n of ov e r fi fty p e rce n t of t h e $ 1 0 1 , 5 0 0
. 0 0 w h i c h h e a s s i g n e d a s b u s i n e s s u s e of t h e m a ri ta l res i d e n c e . F u rt h e r, h e co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r d i d n o t f a cto r t h e o n e p e rce n t re a l e s ta te t ra n s f e r ta x t h a t wo u l d b e i n c u rre d i f t h e re s i d e n ce we re s o l d - n a m e l y , $ 3 , 8 1 0
. 0 0
. P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h a t t h e te s t i m o n y a b o u t ta x co n s e q u e n c e s wa s n o t wo rt h y of b e l i e f a s D e f

e n d a n t d i d n o t p o s s e s s t h e p e rt i n e n t k n ow l e d g e to off e r a ta x o p i n i o n , D e f e n d a n t te s t i fi e d t h a t h e re l i e d u p o n a n a c co u n ta n t f o r ta x a s s i s ta n ce a n d h e d i d n o t ex p re s s a n i n t � n t i o n to s e ll t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n ce o r a n y o t h e r a s s e t. I n f a ct , D e f e n d a n t te s t i fi e d t h a t h e d e s i re d to m a i n ta i n t h e re s i d e n ce . H i s i n co m e re p o rted f o r tax p u r p o s e s h a s b e e n l i m i te d a n d n o t h i n g e s ta b l i s h e d D e f e n d a n t' s ex p e rti s e to o p i n e a b o u t ta x co n s e q u e n ce s a n d t h e e ff e ct of a n a s s e t' s s a l e a t a n u n k n own ti m e i n t h e fu t u re u p o n h i s i n co m e ta x l i a b i l ity . As a re s u l t , t h e M a s te r d i d n o t e rr i n n o t co n s i d e ri n g t h e i n co m e tax co n s e q u e n ce s o f th e s a l e of a n y a s s e t b a s e d o n t h e re co rd e s ta b li s h ed b y D e f e n d a n t. I t i s , h owe v e r, e x p e cte d t h a t i f D e f e n d a n t refi n a n ce s t h e d e b t o n t h e h o m e o r m u s t s e ll t h e h o m e , t h a t ex p e n s e s w i ll b e i n c u r re d . I t i s a p p ro p ri a te t h a t i f s u c h

' ' l n t h e e v e n t D e f

e n d a n t - w h o d e s i re d to b e awa rd e d t h e h o m e - i s u n a b l e to s a t is fy t h e d e b t b y re f i n a n c i n g o r o t h e rw i s e i n t h e p e ri o d p ro p o s e d by t h e M a s te r, t h e p ro p e rty m a y b e s o l d with D e f en d a n t re c e i v i n g t h e ne t p ro ce e d s . 2 1P a g e 2 2 o t 3 2 S ch u y l k i ll. C o \Ul t y Go v e rnmen t

e v e n t a ri s e s d u e to h i s co m p l i a n c e w it h th e e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n awa rd , t h a t t h e re a s o n a b l e s e tt l e m e n t ex p e n s e s i n c u r re d b e s h a re d . D e f e n d a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r d i d n o t s u g g e s t a n awa rd o f a li m o n y b e g ra n te d to h i m . D e f

e n d a n t c l a i m s h e d o es n o t h a v e fu n d s to o b ta i n t h e e d u ca t i o n h e d e s i re s . D e f

e n d a n t a ct u a ll y te s t i fi e d t h a t h e d i d n o t d e s i re to o b ta i n fu rt h e r ed u ca t i o n u n t i l h i s c h i l d re n we re n o l o n g e r i n s ch o o l. D e f e n d a n t a l s o c l a i m s t h a t u p o n d i vo rce , h e wo u l d i n c u r h e a l t h i n s u ra n c e e x p e n s e s i n e xce s s of $ 7 5 0
. 0 0 p e r m o n t h . D e f e n d a n t te s t i fi e d to w h a t h e b e l i e v e d t h e co s t wo u l d b e to o b ta i n h e a l t h i n s u ra n ce s i m i l a r to t h a t p ro v i d e d to h i m t h ro u g h P l a i n t i ff s e m p l o y m e n t w i t h o u t a p p a re n tl y h a v i n g l o o ke d fo r i n s u ra n c e co v e ra g e li m i te d to m e d i ca l co v e ra g e o r b a s e d u p o n h i s i n co m e . P l a i n t i ff p ro v i d e s m e d i c a l , d e n ta l a n d o p t i ca l co v e ra g e fo r t h e e n t i re f a m i l y a t a co s t of a b o u t $ 4 4 5 . 0 0 p e r m o n t h . D e f e n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t h e m a ke s a b o u t $ 2 5 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 p e r ye a r, i s p ro p o s e d to b e awa rd e d n o re t i re m e n t o r fi n a n c i a l a c co u n ts a s p e r t h e M a s te r' s re co m m e n d a t i o n a n d ye t m u s t p a y $ 1 2 2 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 i n d e b t w i t h i n 1 2 0 d a ys w h i l e t ry i n g to o b ta i n h e a lt h i n s u ra n c e a n d p a y h i s a tto rn e y f e e s . 1 2 D e f e n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t h e s h o u l d re ce i v e i n d e f i n i te a l i m o n y of $ 2 , 5 0 0
. 0 0 p e r m o n t h o r re c e i v e fi n a n c i a l a s s e ts i n t h e d i vo rce a ct i o n s o h e ca n p a y o ff t h e m o rtg a g e a n d h o m e e q u i ty l i n e o f c re d i t. S p e c ifi ca ll y , D e f e n d a n t te s t i fi e d t h a t h e -wa n te d to b e awa rd e d t h e $ 3 8 1 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 h o u s e , p l u s $ 2 8 7 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 , a n d a ll o f t h e p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty i n h i s p o s s e s s i o n , o r, t h e $ 3 8 1 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 h o u s e , a l l p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty i n h i s p o s s e s s i o n , t h e P S E C U a c co u n t of $ 9 3 , 6 9 5 . 0 0 a n d $ 2 , 5 0 0
. 0 0 p e r m o n t h i n a li m o n y i n d e fi n i te l y . A l i m o n y i s to b e awa rd e d if " n e ce s s a ry . " T h e M a s te r i d e n t ifi e d t h e re l e v a n t f a cto rs u n d e r 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 7 0 1 a n d , ex ce p t a s o b s e rv e d h e re i n , d i d n o t e r r i n d o i n g s o . 1 2 T h e a tto rn e y f

e e b ill s s u b m i tte d i n to e v i d e n c e i r. d i ca te a l m o s t co m p l e te s a ti s f a cti o n . 

### 2 2P ag e 2 3 o f 3 2 S oh u y 1.k � 1 1 C o un t y G ov e rnme n t

T h e p a rt i e s we re m a r ri e d o n l y fi fte e n ye a rs a n d a re re l a t i v e l y yo u n g . T h e M a s te r f o u n d b o t h to b e h e a l t h y . T h e p a rt i e s s h a re c u s to d y o f two c h i l d re n a n d P l a i n t iff is t h e p ri m a ry c u s to d i a n o f t h e t h i rd . P l a i n t i ff e a rn s m u c h m o re t h a n D e f e n d a n t , w h o , h owe v e r , h a s n o t s a t i s f

a cto ril y ex p l a i n e d h i s o n l y re p o rt i n g l i m i te d i n co m e d e s p i te h i s s k i l l s , m a n y ye a rs o f e m p l o y m e n t a n d a c c u m u l a te d a s s e ts . P l a i n t i ff h a d e d u ca t i o n a l d e g re e s p ri o r to m a r ri a g e a n d w h il e D e f e n d a n t s a ys h e wo u l d l i ke to o b ta i n a d e g re e , h e d o e s n o t d e s i re to m a ke a n e ff

o rt to d o s o i n t h e n e a r fu t u re . B o t h p a rt i e s - p ri m a ril y P l a i n t i ff - b ro u g h t p ro p e rty i n to t h e m a rri a g e w h i c h wa s u t i l i z e d to m a i n ta i n t h e i r l if e s ty l e a n d to b u i l d t h e ir h o m e . P l a i n t i ff p a ys t h e c h i l d re n ' s m e d i ca l b i l l s a n d p ro v i d e s fo r t h e i r n u m e ro u s a ct i v i t i e s t h e co s ts o f w h i c h a re n o t i n s i g n i fi ca n t. P l a i n t i ff h a d p la c e d m o n e y i n e d u ca t i o n a l a c co u n ts fo r t h e c h il d re n u n t i l t h e p a rt i e s ' s e p a ra t i o n . P l a i n t i ff p u rc h a s e d a h o m e u p o n s e p a ra t i o n a n d m o rtg a g e s e x i s t o n t h a t h o m e a n d t h e m a ri ta l h o m e . N e i t h e r p a rty h a s a n y u n u s u a l n e e d a n d b o t h h a v e t h e a b ili ti e s to s u p p o rt th e m s e l v e s t h ro u g h a p p ro p ri a te e ff o rt a n d e m p l o y m e n t. D e f e n d a n t w ill h a v e s u ffi c i e n t p ro p e rty I t h ro u g h e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n a n d i n co m e v i a e m p l o y m e n t to p ro v i d e f o r h i s re a s o n a b l e n e e d s w i t h o u t a n a li m o n y awa rd fo r a n e xte n d e d t i m e . U n d e r t h e c i rc u m s ta n ce s , i t i s fo u n d re a s o n a b l e fo r h i m to re c e i v e a l i m o n y u n t i l D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 7 i n t h e a m o u n t c u r re n tl y re c e i v e d i n a li m o n y p e n d e n ts li te . D u ri n g t h i s p e ri o d , D e f e n d a n t w ill h a v e t i m e to o b ta i n i n s u ra n ce , re fi n a n c e t h e h o m e , 

### i f n e c e s s a ry , a n d p re p a re f o r t h e re d u ct i o n i n fu n d s n ow p ro v i d e d b y P l a i n t iff
. D e f e n d a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n co n s i d e ri n g t h e e n t i re v a l u e of D e f e n d a n t' s b u s i n e s s a s s e ts ra t h e r th a n s i m p l y t h e i n c re a s e i n va l u e of t h e a s s e ts . D e f e n d a n t a rg u e s t h a t a s o f t h e d a te o f m a r ri a g e , t h e a s s e ts o f t h e b u s i n e s s to ta l e d 

### 2 3P a g e 2 4 o f 3 2 S chuy l k5 . l l County G o v e = t

$ 2 8 , 3 4 6
. 0 0 , a c co rd i n g to D e f e n d a n t ' s E x h i b i t 

### 0 - 3 7 , a n d h e c l a i m s t h a t t h e c u r re n t va l u e i s $ 5 7 , 0 0 9
. 0 0
. W i t h a n e i g h te e n p e rce n t ta x co n s e q u e n c e , D e f e n d a n t co n te n d s t h e m a ri ta l va l u e i s . $ 2 3 , 5 0 4 . 0 0
. P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h a t t h e o n l y b u s i n e s s a s s e ts co n s i d e re d f o r e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n d u ri n g t h e l i t i g a t i o n we re t h e a s s e ts p u rc h a s e d d u ri n g t h e m a r ri a g e , t h a t n o n e of D e f e n d a n t' s p re - m a ri ta l a s s e ts o r t h o s e g i fte d to h i m wa s co n s i d e re d , a n d a ll i te m s co n s i d e re d h a d b e e n p u rc h a s e d w i t h m a ri ta l fu n d s . D e f e n d a n t d o e s n o t co n te s t fi n d i n g s a b o u t a n y fi n a n c i a l b u s i n e s s a s s e ts b u t o n l y v a ri o u s i te m s of e q u i p m e n t. I t i s n o t k n ow n w h a t h a p p e n e d to a ll i te m s o f e q u i p m e n t t h a t m a y h a v e ex i s te d a t th e d a te of m a r ri a g e , h ow o r w h e n t h e y we re t ra n s f e r re d o r d i s p o s e d a n d w h a t , if a n yt h i n g , o c c u r re d w i t h a n y va l u e a tt ri b u te d to a n y p re - m a ri ta l a s s e t w h e n d i s p o s e d , t ra n s f e r re d , e t c . H a d a n y p re - m a ri ta l b u s i n e ss a s s e t ex i s te d a t s e p a ra t i o n , i t wo u l d b e l o n g to D e f e n d a n t u n l e s s t h e f

a cts e s ta b li s h e d o t h e rw i s e . T h e o n l y e v i d e n ce e l i c i te d s u p p o rte d a d e te rm i n a ti o n t h a t t h e a s s e ts a cq u i re d d u ri n g t h e m a rri a g e b e ca m e m a ri ta l a s s e ts u p o n a cq u i s i t i o n . As a re s u l t , t h e re ex i s ts n o e rro r i n t h e M a s te r' s d e te rm i n a ti o n .

P l a i n t i ff s e x ce p t i o n s 1 3 a re a s fo ll ows : F i rs t , P l a i n t iff co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n re co m m e n d i n g a n off - s e t d i s t ri b u t i o n b y awa rd i n g t h e e q u i ty of th e m a ri ta l h o m e to D e f e n d a n t a n d t h e re t i re m e n t a c co u n ts to P l a i n t i ff
. P l a i n ti ff cl a i m s s h e n e e d s t h e tax-fre e e q u i ty o f t h e h o m e b e c a u s e b e i n g awa rd e d re t i re m e n t a c co u n ts d o e s n o t h e l p h e r c u rre n t fi n a n c i a l co n d i t i o n s i n ce

1 3 P e r P l a i n t i ff

s b ri e f, s h e w l t h d raws h e r E x c e p t i o n #4 t h a t th e M a s te r e rre d I n f a lli n g to reco m m e n d t h a t t h e We ll s F a rg o S to c k a n d U P S s to c k b e d i s t ri b u te d to h e r . 2 4P ag e 2 5 o f 3 2 S c b u y l k i � l Co un t y Go v ernmen t

s h e ca n n o t w i t h d raw t h e f i n a n c i a l fu n d s u n t i l re t l re rn e n t . " P l a i n t iff a l s o c l a i m s t h a t a d i s t ri b u t i o n o f t h e re t i re m e n t a c co u n ts wo u l d s e c u re D e f e n d a n t' s fi n a n c i a l fu t u re . P l a i n t i ff te s t i f

i e d h e r m o n t h l y b i ll s a re 

### $ 7 , 9 6 5 . 0 0 . S i m i l a r to D e f e n d a n t , P l a i n t iff p u rc h a s e d a s s e ts , i n p a rt i c u l a r, a 

### $ 2 5 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 h o m e , a c c u m u l a te d d e b t a n d d i s s i p a te d fu n d s d u ri n g s e p a ra t i o n . T h e e v i d e n c e i n d i ca te s t h e p a rt i e s h a v e d i s p a ra te i n co m e s . P l a i n t i ff d o e s n o t i n c u r ty p i ca l v e h i c l e ex p e n s e s a s h e r v e h i c l e a n d re l a ted co s ts a re p ro v i d e d o r co v e re d , re s p e ct i v e l y , b y h e r e m p l o ye r. P l a i n ti ff re ce i v e s a 3 - 5 % s a l a ry i n c re a s e p e r ye a r a n d h a s m e d i ca l , o p ti ca l a n d d e n ta l i n s u ra n ce a v a il a b l e a t s o m e co s t t h ro u g h h e r e m p l o y m e n t. S h e h a s a 4 0 1 K p ! a n p ro v i d e d b y h e r c u rre n t e m p l o y e r . As of t h e O cto b e r 

### 1 0 , 2 0 1 6 h e a ri n g , s h e te s ti fi e d t h e va l u e wa s 

### $ 4 6 , 0 4 7 . 0 0 . H owe v e r, a t t h e D e c e m b e r 2 8 , 

### 2 0 1 6 h e a ri n g , s h e te s t i fi e d t h a t t h e va l u e wa s 

### $ 7 6 , 3 0 4 . 5 0 a s of S e p te m b e r 

### 3 0_ 2 0 1 6 . P l a i n t i ff te s t i fi e d t h a t s h e wa n ts to b e awa rd e d 

### $ 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 i n ca s h fro m t h e e q u i ty i n t h e m a ri ta l h o m e , w h i c h wo u l d li ke l y re q u i re t h a t i t b e s o l d o r re fi n a n c e d , a n d s h e d o e s n o t wa n t to b e o b l i g a te d to p a y a l i m o n y to h e r h u s b a n d w h o h i s to ri c a ll y re p o rte d e a rn i n g l i tt l e i n co m p a ri s o n to h e r d u ri n g t h e m a r ri a g e - a t l e a s t p e r t h e j o i n t ta x re t u rn s of t h e p a rt i e s . D e f e n d a n t ' s b e i n g a p p ro v e d f o r t h e re fi n a n c i n g o f a b o u t 

### $ 2 7 5 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 fo r t h e c u r re n t l i e n s o f 

### $ 1 2 2 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 a n d P l a i n t iff ' s d e s i re d awa rd o f 

### $ 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 a n d D e f

e n d a n t' s a b i l i ty to p a y t h e re fi n a n ce d m o rtg a g e d d e b t a re a ll q u i te q u e s t i o n a b l e . D e f

e n d a n t , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , wa n ts to re ce i v e t h e h o u s e , p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty a n d a l a rg e s u m of ca s h , o r, t h e h o u s e , a l e s s e r a m o u n t of ca s h , t h e p e rs o n a l ty , a n d a li m o n y fo re v e r . N e i t h e r p a rty i s s a t i sfi e d w i t h t h e M a s te r' s n e a rl y e q u a l
1 4 P l a i n t i ff cl a i m s s h e h a d to b o rrow m o n e y fro m h e r p a re n ts fo r a d ow n p a y m e n t o n a $ 2 5 5 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 h o m e s h e p u rc h a s e d afte r s e p a ra t i o n . P l a i n t i ff a ct u a l l y te s t ifi e d t h a t h e r p a re n ts g a ve h e r $ 6 9 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 a s a g i ft to p u rc h a s e t h e h o m e . 

### 2 5P a g e 2 6 o f 3 2 S c h u y lkil. i C o un t y G ov ernmen t

d i s t ri b u t i o n o f a s s e ts 1 5 a n d l i ke l y w ill n o t b e w i t h t h e C o u rt' s . D e s p i te t h e cl a i m e d fi n a n c i a l p ro b l e m s , p u rs u a n t to w h i c h e a c h b a s e s h i s/ h e r re a s o n to n e e d ca s h , e a c h h a s a c c u m u l a te d ra t h e r s i g n i f i ca n t a s s e ts a n d d e b ts 1 6 fo ll ow i n g s e p a ra t i o n a n d e a c h b e l i e v e s t h e o t h e r s h o u l d p ro v i d e t h e ca s h . T h e C o u rt i s to d i v i d e , d i s t ri b u te o r a s s i g n a s s e ts i n k i n d o r o t h e rw i s e i n s u c h m a n n e r a s d e e m e d j u s t. E xc e p t a s m o d ifi e d , t h e re co m m e n d a t i o n of t h e M a s te r re s u l ts i n j u s ti ce to b o t h p a rt i e s u n d e r t h e c i rc u m s ta n c e s · . N e i t h e r h a s t h e ca s h a v a i l a b l e t h e o t h e r d e s i re s a n d s u c h co u l d n o t b e o b ta i n e d w i t h o u t u n n e ce s s a ry co s t o r h a rd s h i p to t h e p a ye r . P l a i n t i ff n e xt co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e M a s te r e rre d i n fa i li n g to a p p l y t h e d e c re a s e i n v a l u e o f t h e U P S s to c k a g a i n s t t h e i n c re a s e i n va l u e o f t h e We ll s F a rg o I RA w h i c h a s s e ts we re b o t h n o n m a ri ta l p e r 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 5 0 1 ( a . 1 )
. As d i s c u s s e d p re v i o u s l y , P l a i n t i ff co n te n d s t h a t s h e ow n e d 2 , 6 5 3 s h a re s of U P S s to c k w h e n fi rs t m a r ri e d a n d 7 3
. 6 6 3 3 s h a re s w h e n s e p a ra te d a n d t h a t s h e ow n e d t h a t n u m b e r s i n c e 2 0 0 8
. At m a r ri a g e , s h e cl a i m s t h e s to c k wa s wo rt h $ 9 0 , 2 0 2
. 0 0 a n d a t s e p a ra t i o n i t wa s wo rt h $ 6 , 2 6 6
. 3 2 , re s u l ti n g i n a d e c re a s e i n v a l u e of $ 8 3 , 9 3 5 . 6 8
. P l a i n t i ff a l s o h a s a We ll s F a rg o B a n k I RA . S h e m a d e a n i n i t i a l co n t ri b u t i o n o f $ 1 , 1 3 3 .4 7 p ri o r to t h e m a rri a g e a n d i ts b a l a n c e a t s e p a ra t i o n wa s $ 8 ,4 2 4 . 1 7 . C o n s e q u e n t l y , P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h e re wa s n o i n c re a s e i n n o n m a ri ta l a s s e ts . B e ca u s e t h e M a s te r d i d n o t a d d re s s t h e i s s u e , s h e c l a i m s i t i s n o t c l e a r i f t h e d e c re a s e wa s co n s i d e re d i n t h e d i s t ri b u t i o n o f a s s e ts to e a c h p a rty . T h e i s s u e wa s co n s i d e re d 

### by t h e C o u rt h e re i n a n d p re v i o u s l y a d d re s s e d w i t h D e f e n d a n t' s e xce p t i o n s .

1 5 T h e re co rd re f

e rs to a d d i t i o n a l e q u i p m e n t i n D e f e n d a n t' s p o s s e s s i o n n o t i d e n t i f i e d b y t h e M a s te r s u c h a s a $ 1 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 t ra i le r. A n y e q u i p m e n t i n h i s p o s s e s s i o n n o t s p e c i f i ca ll y i d e n t ifi e d i s b e i n g awa rd e d to D e f e n d a n t. 1 6 P l a i n ti ff te s t i fi e d to d i s s i p a ti n g a fi n a n c i a l a c co u n t a n d i n c u rri n g o v e r $ 4 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 i n c re d i t ca rd d e b t. 2 6P a g e 2 7 o f 3 2 S o h u y l k � l l C o un t y G ove rnmen t

P l a i n t i ff a rg u e s t h a t t h e M a s te r e r re d i n n o t d i s t ri b u ti n g t h e d e s k/ h u t c h to t h e c h i l d , Ra c h a e l N e w co m e r, o n h e r e i g h te e n t h b i rt h d a y . T h e co m p l a i n t d oe s n o t i n vo l v e e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n b e twe e n t h e p a rt i es . As s e ts o f a c h i l d b e l o n g to t h e c h i l d a n d t h e p a rt i e s m a y a g re e to m a ke n o c l a i m a g a i n s t a c h i l d ' s a s s e t. P l a i n t i ff c l a i m s t h e M a s te r e r re d i n fa i l i n g to ex p l a i n th e p e rc e n ta g e of t h e e s ta te d i s t ri b u te d to e a c h p a rty a s i t i s to o d i ff i c u l t fo r h e r to u n d e rs ta n d i f t h e d i s t r i b uti o n s c h e m e i s e q u i ta b l e . T h e M a s te r d e a rl y s p e ci fi e d t h e a s s e ts t h a t h e re co m m e n d e d b e d i s t ri b u t e d to e a c h p a rty a n d i d e n t i fi e d t h e va l u e s of e a c h a s s e t. N o s i n g u l a r a s s e t wa s d i v i d e d n o r wa s it n e ce s s a ry to a s s i g n p re s e n t va l u es o r l a te r d i s t ri b u t i o n v a l u e s to a n y a s s e t o r a p o rt i o n t h e re o f
. E a c h p a rty w i l l re ce i ve t h e fi n a n c i a l a cco u n ts i n h i s/h e r re s p e ct i v e n a m e . P l a i n t i ff w i ll re ce i v e t h e ta n g i b l e p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty s h e p o s s e s s e s a n d D e f e n d a n t w i ll re ce i v e t h e h o u s e , e n c u m b e re d b y t h e l i e n s w h i c h h e m u s t s a t i s f y to re l e a s e P l a i n t i ff fro m re s p o n s i b i l i ty t h e re o n , a n d th e p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty i n h i s p o s s e s s i o n to g e t h e r w it h t h e p ro ce e d s p re v i o u s l y o b ta i n e d fro m t h e s a l e of t h e s p e c i fi e d i te m s of p ro p e rty . T h e d i s t ri b u ti o n re s u l ts i n a n e a r e q u a l s p l i t of p ro p e rty . Exce p t a s n o te d i n t h i s d e te rm i n a t i o n , t h e M a s te r p ro p e rl y a d d re s s e d t h e p e rt i n e n t i ss u e s a ff e ct i n g e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n , a li m o n y a n d a tto rn e y f e e s a n d h i s p ro p o s a l i s b e i n g a d o p te d w i t h s o m e m o d i fi ca ti o n .



### 2 7Circulated 03/22/2018 03:37 PM

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### A p p e ll a n t' s co m p la i n ts a s , t i s be li e v e d t he d e c i s i o n of A u g u s t 3 , 2 0 17 s e ts f o rt h t h e h i s to ry a n d b a s i s fo r th e 1 u l m g s o n t h e e x c e p t i o n s . 

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### o r u , e n u m e ro u s co m p l a i n ts o n a p pe a l b y A p p e l la n t. m a n y 

### of w h i c h c l a i m t h a t t h i s co u rt d i d n o t p ro p e rl y co o s i d e r a s p e c mc s ta tu to ry e q u i ta b l e d rs t nb u n o n f

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### 1

### va c u u m - s o m e of t h e p a g e s of t h i s co u rt ' s A u g u s t 3 , 2 0 1 7 d e c i s i o n w h e re p a rt i c u l a r

exce p t i o n s we re a d d re s s e d a re n o t e d h e re i n . As o n e o f h i s l a te r n u m b e re d co m p l a i n ts i n h i s 1 9 -2 5 s ta te m e n t , A p p e l l a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h e co u rt d i s c ri m i n a te d a g a i n s t h i m , wa s b i a s e d i n fa vo r of A p p e l l e e a n d t h a t h e h a d a h i q h e r b u rd e n of p ro o f
. T h e co u rt a c ce p te d t h e m a s te r' s d e te r m i n a t i o n t h a t A p p e l la n t wa s n o ta c re d i b l e w i t n e s s i n n u m e ro u s re s p e cts . S i m p l y b e c a u s e a p a rty i s n o t fo u n d c re d i b l e d o e s n o t re n d e r a co u rt ' s d e te rm i n a t i o n b i a s e d . N e v e rt h e l e s s , t h i s co u rt re v i ewe d 

### the e n t i re re co rd i n d e te rm i n i n g w h e t h e r t h e m a s te r' s c re d i b i l i ty d e te rm i n a t i o n wa s we l l - g ro u n d e d a n d a n a l yz e d t h e ' e v id e nce 

### p e rt i n e n t to e a c h ex ce p t i o n . As h i s f i rs t co m p l a i n t - w i t h m u l t i p l e s u b p a ra g ra p h s - A p p e l l a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h i s co u rt d i d n o t co n s i d e r t h e f a cts a n d a p p l i ca b l e D i vo rce C o d e fa cto rs , i n c l u d i n g A p p e l l a n t ' s a l l e g e d h e a l t h i s s u e s , w h i l e h a v i n g p l a c e d n o b u rd e n o n A p p e l l e e to co n t ra d i ct A p p e l l a n t' s te s t i m o n y . W i t h re g a rd to A p p e ll a n t ' s co m p l a i n ts a t 1 ( a ) a n d ( b ) i n h i s s ta te m e n t , t h i s co u rt d i s c u s s e d t h e_ re co rd , t h e m a s te r' s d e te rm i n a t i o n o n t h e i s s u e of A p p e l l a n t' s h ea l t h , t h e m a s te r' s fi n d i n g t h a t A p p e ll a n t l a c ke d c re d i b i l i ty , n o te d

· , ; t h e l a c k of s p e c i fi c co n t ra d i cto ry e v i d e n c e to A p p e l l a n t ' s c l a i m of h i s s u ff e ri n g b a c k p ro b l e m s a n d t h e f

a ct t h a t A p p e ll a n t , n e v e rt h e l e s s , co n t i n u e d a n d wa n te d to co n t i n u e to e n g a g e i n h i s l a b o r i n te n s i v e s e l f - e m p l o y me n t ( p a g e s 1 5 a n d 1 6 of t h e d e c i s i o n )
. O n p a g e s 

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### 1 8 of t h e d e c i s i o n , t h i s co u rt a d d re s s e d A p p e ll a n t' s wo rk i n g ca p a ci ty , o b s e rv e d t h a t t h e re co rd d i d n o t e n a b l e t h e co u rt to fi n d h i m ca p a b l e of e n g a g i n g i r'f a s p eo fl c j o b w h i c h wa s c u rre n tl y o r l i ke l y a va i l a b l e o r t h e l i ke l y co m p e n s a t i o n fo r t h a t p o s i t i o n . T h e co u rt n o te d , h owe ve r, t h a t A p p e ll a n t te s t i fi e d t h a t 

### 2

### h i s s e l f - e m p l o y m e n t wa s s e a s o n a l a n d t h a t h e d i d n o t ex p l a i n w h y h e d i d n o t- e n g a g e i n wo rk d u ri n g t h eo ff

- s e a s on a s 

### h e h a d i n t h e pa s t p ri o r to t h e p a rt i e s ' se p a ra t i o n . C o n t ra ry to 

### A p p e ll a n t ' s co m p l a i n t , t h o s e we re t h e fa cts , n o t s p e c u l a t i o n . S i m p l y-S ta te d , A p p e ll a n t - w h o i n t h e off - s e a s on h a d p l owe d s n ow , towe d v e h i c l e s , d ro v e t ru c k a n d h a d a co m m e rc i a l d ri v e r' s l i ce n s e - wa s ca p a b l e of wo rk i n g i n t h e off - s e a s o n , h a d wo r ke d i n t h e off

- s e a s o n w h i l e t h e p a rt i e s re s i d e d to g e t h e r a n d off e re d n o b a s i s fo r h i s n o t s e e k i n g s ome e m p l o y m e n t d u ri n g t h e off - s e a s o n s i n c e t h e p a rt i e s ' s e p a ra t i o n . C o n t ra ry to A p p e l l a n t' s co m p l a i n ts , t h e d i ff e re n ce s i n A p p e ll e e ' s e a rn i n g s t h ro u g h e m p l o y m e n t e s ta b l i s h e d b y h e r W2 f o r m s a n d A p p e ll a n t ' s tax. re t u rn i n f o rm a t i o n fro m h rs s e l f

- e m p l o y m e n t we re d i s c u s s e d a t s e v e ra l p a rts of t h e d e c i s i o n a s we re t h e p a rt i e s' l i a b i l i t i e s. a n d n e e d s . S i m i l a rl y , t h e m a ri ta l d e b t - b e i n g t h e re a l e s ta te m o rtg a g e a n d h o m e e q u i ty l i n e of c re d i t a g a i n s t t h e h o m e w h i c h A p p e ll a n t re q u e s te d b e awa rd e d to h i m - wa s cl e a rl y d i s c u s s e d a n d s e t fo rt h i n t h e d e c i s i o n a n d i n t h e fi n a l o rd e r ( p a g e s 4 , 5 )
. Li kew i s e , t h e e m p l o y m e n t b e n e fi t i n fo rm a t i o n i s s e t fo rt h i n va ri o u s s e ct i o n s of t h e d e c i s i o n . B o t h p a rt i e s i n c u r re d s u b s ta n t i a l d e b t fo ll ow i n g s e p a ra t i o n - A p p e ll e e p u rc h a s e d a h o m e e n c u m b e re d b y a m o rtg a g e , b o u g h t fu rn i s h i n g s fo r t h e h o m e a n d i n c u r re d c re d i t ca rd d e b t i n ex ce s s of $ 4 0 , 0 0 0
. 0 0 , w h i l e A p p e ll a n t exte n d e d t h e h o m e e q u i ty d e b t a g a i n s t t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n c e a n d p u rc h a s e d ve h i c l e s , i n cl u d i n g a n ew t ru c k a n d a b o a t. C o n t ra ry to A p p e ll a n t ' s co m p l a i n t , t h e d e c i s i o n d e ta i l s t h e p u rc h a s e s , d e b ts , t h e p re m a ri ta l p ro p e rty of A p p e ll e e a n d t h e p ro p e rty awa rd e d i n e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n . A p p e ll a n t co m p l a i n s a b o u t t h e l a c k of co n t ri b u t i o n s b y A p p e ll e e . T h e co u rt d i s c u s s e d t h e a cq u i s i t i o n of m a ri ta l p ro p e rty a n d A p p e ll a n t' s i n v o l v e m e n t i n t h e 

### 3co n s t ru ct i o n of t h e m a ri ta l h o m e ( p a g e 4 )
. C o n t ra ry to A p p e l l a n t ' s c l a i m t h a t A p p e l l e e

g ff e re d n o p ro o f of co n t ri b u t i o n b y h e r, t h e re co rd co n ta i n s p a q e s of te s t i m o n y fro m A p p e ll e e o f h e r u s i n g a s i g n i fi c a n t a m o u n t of p re - m a ri ta l p ro p e rty , i n p a rt i c u l a r, t h ro u g h t h e s a l e of h e r s to c k , towa rd s t h e co s ts of co n s t ru cti o n , i n c l u d i n g p a y m e n t o f co n s t ru ct i o n l o a n s , f

o r t h e m a ri ta l h o m e w h i c h t h e p a rt i e s a g re e d h a d a f a i r m a r ke t Va l u e o f $ 3 8 1 , 0 0 0
. 0 0
. M o re o v e r , t h e i s s u e of l a c k of co n t ri b u t i o n s b y A p p e ll e e wa s n o t a s u bj e ct of A p p e ll a n t ' s ex c e p t i o n s to t h e m a s te r' s aw a rd , a n d , t h e re fo re , h a s b e e n wa i v e d . 

### B e n so n v

. B e n so n , 5 1 5 A2 d 9 1 7 ( P a . S u p e r. 1 9 8 6 ) ( co m p l a i n ts wa i v e d if n o t s u bj e ct of e x c e p t i o n s )
. I n f a ct , A p p e ll a n t a rg u e d i n h i s b ri e f i n s u p p o rt of h i s ex ce p t i o n s t h a t " b o t h " p a rt i e s co n t ri b u t e d . (A p p e ll a n t ' s b ri e f, p g . 1 2 ( M a y 1 9 , 2 0 1 7 ) )
. A p p e ll a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h i s co u rt e r re d i n n o t co n s i d e ri n g t h e v a l u e of p ro p e rty s e t a p a rt to e a c h o t h e r. T h e co u rt' s awa rd wa s e n te re d fo ll ow i n g a co n s i d e ra t i o n of t h e n a t u re a n d ty p e of p ro p e rty a n d t h e v a l u e of e a c h i te m . T h e de c i s i o n to g e t h e r w i t h

-d e c re e c l e a rl y i d e n t i f y t h e v a l u e s o f t h e i te m s of p ro p e rty a n d s p e c i fi e s t h e p a rt i c u l a r aw a rd to e a c h p a rty . W i t h re g a rd to A p p e ll a n t ' s co m p l a i n t a b o u t A p p e l l e e ' s We ll s F a rg o a c co u n t , t h e i s s u e wa s a d d re s s e d o n p a g e 1 3 of t 1il e d e c i s i o n . T h e U P S S a v i n g s P l a n d e te r m i n a t i o n , a b o u t w h i c h A p p e ll a n t co m p l a i n s , i s s e t fo rt h o n p a g e s 1 4 t h ro u g h 1 5 of t h e d e c i s i o n . T h i s co u rt d o e s n o t k n ow t h e b a s i s fo r A p p e ll a n t' s co n te n t i o n t h a t t h e co u rt t h re a te n e d h i m w i t h te r m i n a t i o n of a l i m o n y p e n d e n te l i te f o r h i s s e e k i n g d e l a ys i n t h e p ro c e e d i n g s . A p p e ll a n t a l s o d i d n o t ex c e p t to t h e m a s te r' s awa rd i n t h i s re g a rd . A p p e ll a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e co u rt " co u n te d " t h e h o m e e q u i ty l i n e of c re d i t d e b t a g a i n s t h i m tw i c e . F o l l ow i n g s e p a ra t i o n , A p p e ll a n t exte n d e d t h e l i n e of c re d i t l i e n
4a q a i n s t t h e re a l e s ta te w i t h o u t i n fo r m i n g A p p e l l e e o r o b ta i n i n g A p pe l l e e ' s co n s e n t. As a

re s u l t , t h e re a l e s ta te i s b u rd e n e d 

### by a d d i t i o n a l d e b t. T h e co u rt h a s n o i d e a w h a t A p p e l l a n t m e a n s b y co n t e n d i n g t h a t t h i s co u rt f a cto re d t h e d e b t " tw i c e " a g a i n s t h i m . T h e l i e n wa s exte n d e d p o s t- s e p a ra t i o n b y A p p e l l a n t. I t s e rv e s 

### t ore d uce t h e e q u i ty i n t h e m a ri ta l h o m e . A p p e l l a n t cl a i m e d h e u s e d t h e fu n d s fo r h i s e x p e n s e s to l i v e . H o we v e r, h e a l s o a c kn ow l e d g e d b u y i n g va ri o u s a s s e ts , i n c l u d i n g a t ru c k a n d b o a t , d u ri n g t h e re l e v a n t p e ri o d w h i l e a l s o re c � i v i n g h i s s e l f - e m p l o y m e n t i n co me a n d a l i m o n y p e n d e n te l i te . T h o s e co n s t i t u t e t h e f a cts a n d a re d i s c u s s e d i n t h e co u rt' s d e c i s i o n a t s e v e ra l p l a c e s i n c l u d i n g pa c e s 1 8 t h ro u g h 2 1
. A p p e l l a n t co n t e n d s t h a t t h i s co u rt e r re d i n f a cto ri n g n o n - m a ri ta l va l u e i n to A p p e l l a n t ' s b u s i n e s s . T h e e v i d e n c e w i t h re g a rd to A p p e ll a n t ' s b u s i n e s s i n d i c a te d t h a t i t wa s n o t a cor p o ra te b u s i n e s s a n d n o g o o d w i l l o r re ce i v a b l e s w e re m e n t i o n e d b y 

### t he p a rt i e s . T h e o n l y b u s i n e s s a s s e ts a d d re s s e d we re i t e m s o f ta n g i b l e p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty a n d b a n k a c co u n ts . T h e re co rd s u p p o rts t h e e v a l u a t i o n o f t h e e v i d e n c e b y t h e m a s te r a s to t h e n a t u re of t h o s e a s s e ts b e i n g m a ri ta l p ro p e rty a n d t h e a s s i g n m e n t of t h e i r v

_a l u e s . 2 3 P a . C
. S
. 3 5 0 1 ( a ) ( p ro p e rty a cq u i re d d u ri n g t h e m a rr i a g e i s p re s u m e d m a ri ta l u n l e s s a cq u i re d b y m e t h o d s p e c i fi e d )
. A p p e ll a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h i s co u rt e rre d i n n o t p ro p e rl y co n s i d e ri n g t h e s ta n d a rd of l i v i n g of t h e p a rt i e s . B o t h p a rt i e s co m p l a i n e d a b o u t t h e i r l a c k of re s o u rc e s to l i ve i n t h e s a m e m a n n e r i n w h i c h t h e y h a d w h i l e re s i d i n g to g e t h e r. B o t h co m p l a i n e d t h a t t h e y h a d g o n e i n to d e b t d u ri n g t h e p e n d e n cy of t h e d i v o rce . T h e m a s te r a n d co u rt , i n cl u d i n g a t p a g e s 2 4 t h ro u g h 2 6 of t h e d e c i s i o n , co n s i d e re d t h e l i a b i l i t i e s i n c u r re d b y b o t h p a rt i e s d u ri n g t h e s e p a ra t i o n a n d t h e i r s ta n d a rd s of l i v i n g . 

### 5A p p e l l a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e co u rt d i d n o t p ro p e rl y co n s i d e r h i s e co n o m i c

c i rc u m s ta n ce s . A p p e ll a n t s a ys t h e e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n awa rd re q u i re s t h a t h e p a y a n o u ts ta n g i n g d e b t. H ow e v e r . i t wa s A p p e l l a n t 

### w ho d e s i re d to b e awa rd e d t h e $ 3 8 1 , 0 0 0 0 0 h o m e o n w h i c h t h e p re - s e p a ra t i o n 

### $ 7 2 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 m o rtg a g e a n d a p p rox i m a te 

### $ 2 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 h o m e e q u i ty l i e n s ex i s te d . 

### The awa rd re q u i re s t h a t h e s a t i s f y t h e e x i s t i n g d e b ts to re m o v e A p p e l l e e ' s n a m e fro m a n y o b l i g a t i o n s a s s o c i a te d w i t h t h e m o rtg a g e a n d h o m e e q u i ty l i n e of c re d i t. O b v i o u s l y , A p p e l l a n t m a y s e e k to h a v e A p p e ll e e re l e a s e d fro m l i a b i l i ty o n t h e d e b ts b y re f i n a n c i n g - w i t h A p p e l l ee s h a ri n g i n t h e co s ts to d o . s o, a s t h i s co u rt o rd e re d - o r b y h i s re a c h i n g s o m e o t h e r a g re e m e n t W i t h t h e p e rt i n e n t l i e n h o l d e rs . A p p e l la n t co m p l a i n s t h a t h e i s fi n a n c i a l l y i n ca p a b l e o f d o i n g t h a t. T h e co u rt co u l d h a v e d i re cted t h a t t h e h o m e b e s o l d a n d t h e n e t p ro c e e d s b e awa rd e d to A p p e l l a n t . H ow e v e r, t h e awa rd o f t h e h o m e to A p p e l l a n t co i n c i d e d w i t h h i s re q u e st N e v e rt h e l e s s . t h e h o m e m a y a l s o b e s o l d p e r t h e co u rt ' s awa rd if A p p e l l a n t 

### d o e s n o t d e s i re to m a i n ta i n it. H e w i ll t h e n re c e i v e t h e n e t s a l e s p ro ce e d s w i t h b o t h p a rt i e s fi rs t s h a ri np i n t h e e x p e n s e s of s a l e . A p p e l l a n t co m p l a i n s t h at t h e co u rt d i d n o t co n s i d e r t h e ta x ra m i fi ca t i o n s . T h e co u rt e v a l u a te d t h e e v i d e n c e re g a rd i n g ta x ram i fi ca t i o n s o n p a g e s 2 1 t h ro u g h 2 2 of 

### t h e d e c i s i o n . A p p e l l a n t co m p l a i n s t h e co u rt e r re d i n n o t co n s i d e ri n g t h e co s ts of s a l e of t h e m a ri ta l re s i d e n c e , T h e co u rt co n s i d e re d t h o s e co s ts i n i ts d e ci s i o n o n p a g e s 2 1 t h ro u g h 2 2 a n d i n t h e fi n a l o rd e r a t p a ra g ra p h 2 w h i c h p ro v i d e s fo r t h e s h a ri n g of s e tt l e m e n t c h a rg e s fo r a n y re fi n a n c i n g a n d fo r a n y p o s s i b l e s a l e co s ts , i n cl u d i n g re a l to rs co m m i s s i o n .A p p e l l a n t co m p l a i n s a b o u t t h e awa rd o f a l i m o n y . T h e co u rt h a s n o i d e a w h a t

A p p e ll a n t m e a n s b y t h e co m p l a i n t a b o u t t h e h o m e e q u i ty l i n e of c re d i t d e b t. As i n d i c a te d , A p p e ll a n t i n c u r re d t h e p o s t- s e p a ra t i o n d e b t w h i c h , h ow e v e r, s e rv e s a s a l i e n a g a i n s t t h e m a ri ta l e s ta te . S i m i l a rl y , A p p e l l e e co m p l a i n e d t h a t s h e h a d i n c u rre d a s u b s ta n t i a l a m o u n t of d e b t i n o b ta i n i n g a m o rtg a g e l o a n fo r t h e h o m e sh e p u rc h a s e d , fu rn i s h i n g s fo r t h e h o u s e , t h e c h i l d re n ' s m e d i c a l ex p e n s e s , t h e i r a ct i v i t i e s a n d o t h e r l i v i n g ex p e n s e s fo r h e rs e l f a n d t h e c h i l d re n f o l l ow i n g t h e s e p a ra t i o n . A p p e l l e e co m p l a i n e d t h a t s h e d i d n o t h a v e fu n d s to p a y a l i m o n y to A p p e l l a n t w h i l e A p p e l l a n t wa s s e e k i n g a l i m o n y i n d e fi n i te l y . T h e d i s c u s s i o n of a l i m o n y i s s e t fo rt h , i n p a rt , o n p a g e s 2 2 t h ro u g h 2 3 o f t h e co u rt d e c i s i o n . A p p e ll a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h e co u rt e r re d i n f a i l i n g to awa re a tto rn e y f e e s a n d co s ts to h i m . C o n t ra r y to A p p e ll a n t ' s a l l e g a t i o n , t h e co u rt d i d n o t a p p l y t h e h o m e e q u i ty l o a n a g a i n s t h i m i n d e n y i n g a n awa rd of a tto rn e y f e e s . T h e e v a l u a t i o n o f a n a tto rn e y f e e awa rd a n d t h e s u p .p o rt i n g e v i d e n c e , a n d l a c k t h e re o f , i s s e t fo rt h o n p a g e 2 2 of t h e d e c i s i o n . A p p e ll a n t co m p l a i n s t h a t t h i s co u rt e rre d i n f a i l i n g to s e t fo rt h t h e re a s o n i n g f o r

, , t h e e q u i ta b l e d i s t ri b u t i o n awa rd . T h e co u rt e v a l u a te d t h e ex c e p t i o n s of t h e p a rt i e s ,

a n a l yz e d e a c h o n e 

### .and d e te rm i n e d t h a t , w i t h l i m i te d m o d i fi ca t i o n s , 

### th e m a s te r' s re co m m e n d a t i o n re s u l te d i n e q u i t a b l e j u s t i c e to b o t h p a rt i e s . T h e b a s i s of t h e awa rd of m o s t l y ta n g i b l e p e rs o n a l p ro p e rty a n d re a l p ro p e rty to A p p e ll a n t a n d fi n a n c i a l a s s e ts h e l d i n A p p e ll e e ' s n a m e to A p p e l l e e i s e n co m p a, s s e d i n t h e d e c i s i o n . A p p e ll a n t co n te n d s t h a t t h i s co u rt e r re d i n n o t re m a n d i n g t h e m a tte r to t h e m a s te r w i t h re g a rd to t h e i s s u e of t h e d i s p a ri ty f o r fu t u re a cq u i s i t i o n o f a s s e ts a n d 

### 7

### i n co m e s . T h e co u rt a d d re s s e d t h e i s s u e of d i s p a ri ty o n p a g e 18 of t h e d e c i s i o n .

F u rt h e r , t h e d i v o rc e a ct i o n wa s fi l e d i n 2 0 1 3 , n u m e ro u s co n t i n u a n c e s a n d s e v e ra l m a s te r' s h e a ri n g s we re h e l d . T h e p a rt i e s h a d a m p l e t i m e to co m p l e te t h e re co rd , A p p e l l a n t n e v e r co n t e n d e d t h a t t h e re co rd wa s i n co m p l e te , t h a t i t wa s n o t s u ffi c i e n t fo r t h e m a s te r to m a k e a re co m m e n d a t i o n or fo r t h e co u rt to r u l e o n ex ce p t i o n s a n d n e i t h e r p a rty re q u e s te d a re m a n d fo r t h e p u r p o s e of- s u b m i tt i n g m o re e v i d e n ce u p o n t h e i r fi l i n g ex ce p t i o n s to t h e m a s te r' s re co m m e n d a t i o n . S i m i l a rl y , A p p e l l a n t c l a i m s t h a t b e ca u s e h e n ow b e l i e v e s t h a t i n s u ff i c i e n t e v i d e n c e of v a l u e ex i s t e d i n t h e re co rd a n d c l a ri fi ca t i o n wa s n e e d e d o n ta x co n s e q u e n ce s o r s a l e co s ts , t h e co u rt e r re d i n n o t re m a n d i n g t h e ca s e to t h e m a s te r f

o r t h e p u rp o s e of h a v i n g t h e p a rt i e s s u b m i t m o re e v i d e n ce . T h e p a rt i e s we re we l l awa re of t h e m a s te r' s d e te rm i n a t i o n , b o t h fi l e d ex ce p t i o n s a n d A p p e l l a n t m a d e n o co m p l a i n t a b o u t t h e s ta te of t h e re co rd w h i c h , n e v e rt h e l e s s , wa s m o re t h a n s u ff

i c i e n t 

### to m a ke a p ro p e r d e te r m i n a t i o n . N o n e e d ex i s ts to re m a n d t h e ca s e to t h e m a s te r fo r h i m to h o l d fu rt h e r h e a ri n g s · a n d a n y re q u e s t to d o s o b y A p p e l l a n t h a s b e e n wa i v e d .



### 8