Opinion ID: 1636935
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the chancellor erred in his characterization of the ira and stock brokerage accounts as marital assets.

Text: ¶39. Next, Joe argues that the chancellor erred in granting Betty a ten percent interest in his accounts where the chancellor did not specifically find that the accounts were marital property. Further, Joe argues that the trial testimony clearly shows that he made no contributions to the accounts during the marriage and that Betty never made any contributions to the accounts. Additionally, no evidence was presented at trial as to any increase or decrease in the value of the accounts throughout the marriage. Thus, according to Joe, the chancellor erred as no evidence substantiated equitable distribution of the accounts, because the accounts were titled solely in Joe's name and were never commingled. ¶40. Betty argues that, contrary to Joe's argument in this appeal, Joe testified that [t]he biggest majority of it was before the marriage when asked whether the accounts were accumulated before or during the marriage. Further, Joe failed to answer and supplement discovery questions concerning the accounts. ¶41. The chancellor decides whether an asset is marital or non-marital utilizing the Hemsley factors. Johnson v. Johnson, 650 So.2d 1281, 1287 (Miss.1994). Marital property is defined as any and all property acquired or accumulated during the marriage. Domestic services and economic services have equal value. Hemsley v. Hemsley, 639 So.2d 909, 915 (Miss.1994). Assets classified as marital property are equitably divided utilizing the Ferguson [3] factors, taking into account the parties' non-marital assets. Johnson, 650 So.2d at 1287. ¶42. Where there is conflicting testimony, the chancellor, as the trier of fact, is the judge of `the credibility of the witnesses and the weight of their testimony, as well as the interpretation of evidence where it is capable of more than one reasonable interpretation.' Sproles v. Sproles, 782 So.2d 742, 747 (Miss.2001) (quoting McKee v. Flynt, 630 So.2d 44, 47 (Miss.1993); Rainey v. Rainey, 205 So.2d 514, 515 (Miss.1967)). Thus, the chancellor acted well within his discretion, based upon the evidence presented, in determining that Betty was entitled to a portion of the accounts. This issue is without merit.