Opinion ID: 1136017
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The superior court's classification decision regarding the character of the proceeds from the settlement of the wrongful termination claim against Union Oil requires a remand.

Text: As noted previously, the superior court concluded that the proceeds from Michael's wrongful termination suit settlement were based more on economic loss rather than emotional distress. As a consequence, the superior court concluded that the settlement proceeds in that suit were marital property, constituting recovery for loss of earning capacity. We think the superior court's predicate finding for its holding that the Union Oil settlement proceeds were marital property is inherently ambiguous. Given that the superior court did not find that settlement claims were based wholly on economic loss, this issue must be remanded to the superior court for additional proceedings to determine whether or not these proceeds should be allocated as between marital and nonmarital property. [13] On remand, the superior court is authorized to take additional evidence on this issue. More specifically, the superior court should admit into evidence Michael's deposition which was taken in the Union Oil litigation as well as any additional relevant evidence the parties may offer on this issue. The superior court should then enter further findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the nature of this property and its proper distribution.