Opinion ID: 886701
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Whether the District Court erred in awarding Sherri a disproportionate share of the marital estate.

Text: ¶ 35 Steve argues the District Court abused its discretion in awarding Sherri a disproportionate share of the marital estate. Steve maintains Sherri did not seek maintenance or a disparate division of the marital estate. More specifically, Steve contends Sherri entered the marriage with no job, virtually no assets, and made no contribution to Steve's assets during the course of the marriage. Further, Sherri's business, which produces a sustainable income of $25,000 a year, was capitalized solely through his business assets. Finally, Sherri failed to contribute or maintain assets which were owned or purchased by Steve before and throughout the marriage. ¶ 36 Sherri counters the District Court did not abuse its broad discretion in fashioning an equitable distribution of property. Sherri maintains the court found it was necessary to award her a disproportionate distribution of the marital assets based on the disparate incomes of the parties, the ability to acquire future assets, and the premarital equity in assets awarded to Steve. ¶ 37 We review a district court's division of marital property to determine whether the findings of fact upon which the division is based are clearly erroneous. In re Marriage of Lee (1997), 282 Mont. 410, 417, 938 P.2d 650, 654. A finding is clearly erroneous if it is not supported by substantial evidence, if the district court misapprehended the effect of evidence, or if our review of the record convinces us that the district court made a mistake. In re Marriage of Steinbeisser, 2002 MT 309, ¶ 17, 313 Mont. 74, ¶ 17, 60 P.3d 441, ¶ 17. Absent clearly erroneous findings, this Court will affirm a district court's division of property unless we identify an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage of Gerhart, 2003 MT 292, ¶ 16, 318 Mont. 94, ¶ 16, 78 P.3d 1219, ¶ 16. ¶ 38 The criteria for determination of the division of property is defined in § 40-4-202(1), MCA, which provides: (1) In a proceeding for a dissolution of a marriage ... the court ... shall ... finally and equitably apportion between the parties the property and assets belonging to either or both, however and whenever acquired and whether the title thereto is in the name of the husband or wife or both ... [T]he court shall consider those contributions of the other spouse to the marriage, including: (a) the nonmonetary contribution of a homemaker; (b) the extent to which such contributions have facilitated the maintenance of this property; and (c) whether or not the property division serves as an alternative to maintenance arrangements. ¶ 39 The District Court made extensive findings regarding the parties' financial relationships. The court noted Sherri's purchase and contribution to assets such as a tract of land which was titled to and used by Northwest Precision. Further, the court heard evidence at trial suggesting Sherri contributed to the creation and maintenance of this separate parcel through the use of family transfers. The District Court also presumably determined Sherri worked for Northwest Precision for over ten years, as well as contributed her income from her separate business, Paper Inspirations, and her services to the maintenance of Northwest Precision and its assets. Finally, the District Court also considered evidence at trial Sherri contributed her services as a housewife and mother in maintaining the property. ¶ 40 We conclude the District Court's findings are not clearly erroneous and the court did not abuse its discretion in determining Sherri's marital share. Section 40-4-202(1), MCA, directs the district court to consider the nonmonetary contribution of a homemaker, the extent such contributions facilitated the maintenance of the property and whether the division serves as an alternative to maintenance arrangements. Here, maintenance is not an issue. Further, the District Court's findings support our conclusion the court did not award a disproportionate distribution of the marital estate to Sherri in lieu of maintenance. Indeed, the District Court believed it was necessary to equitably divide the marital estate based on the disparate income of the parties, the ability to acquire future assets, and the premarital equity in assets awarded to Steve. Thus, the findings are supported by substantial evidence and are not clearly erroneous. Accordingly, we affirm the District Court's marital estate share to Sherri. ¶ 41 For the foregoing reasons, we reverse as to Steve's' sustainable income and remand for a recalculation of child support after Steve's income is redetermined consistent with this Opinion. We affirm the District Court as to its property valuation and distribution of the marital estate. We Concur: KARLA M. GRAY, C.J., PATRICIA O. COTTER, W. WILLIAM LEAPHART AND JIM RICE, JJ.