Opinion ID: 1366476
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: award of marital residence

Text: Patricia argues, lastly, that the trial court erred in awarding the family home to Joseph and in failing to provide for her continued residence there. As we have previously noted, the trial court is vested with broad discretion in allocating marital assets. See AS 25.24.160(a)(4). Here, the parties agreed that the family home had no equitable value and would require a substantial amount to repair the house to make it salable. The trial court awarded the home to Joseph, reasoning that Patricia lacked adequate earning power to maintain the home. This decision is supported by the record and does not amount to an abuse of discretion. Patricia nevertheless objects to the trial court's failure to provide her with the right to remain in the home temporarily, until Michelle graduates from high school. Patricia points out that AS 25.24.160(a)(4)(F) requires the court to consider the desirability of awarding the family home, or the right to live in it for a reasonable period of time to the party who has primary physical custody of children. Patricia had primary custody of Michelle. The trial court expressly considered the desirability of awarding the family home to Patricia and found good reason not to do so. However, the court made no mention of the second portion of the statutory provision, which required it to consider the desirability of awarding Patricia, as Michelle's custodian, the right to live in [the family home] for a reasonable period of time. At trial, Patricia testified that she would like to be able to live in the house for two more years 'til [sic] Michelle graduates from high school. The record sheds no light on the court's reasons for failing to allow Patricia to remain in the family home as requested. In light of the clear statutory directive requiring the trial court to consider the desirability of Patricia's continued residence in the family home for a reasonable period, the court should specifically address this issue on remand.