Opinion ID: 878869
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Inheritance of Appellant

Text: In 1975, Marilyn inherited various stocks from her grandmother. These stocks were placed in trust in 1975 and disbursed in 1979. The stocks have been held at Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis since 1979 as a stock portfolio. They have not been cashed and remain in the same form. Income from these stocks has been used in the marriage. Since separation of the parties, the income has been used by Marilyn alone. The District Court treated this stock as a marital asset and appellant asserts this is error. Appellant particularly takes exception to the District Court finding [i]n that the stock was preserved due in good part to Petitioner's contributions of his income, said stock should be considered a marital asset. Section 40-4-202(1), MCA, provides, in part, that in a dissolution of marriage, the District Court shall: 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... . In dividing ... property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent ... the 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; This Court has recognized that inherited assets are marital property, but the District Court must consider the origin of the assets and the contributions of the divorcing parties to its preservation when making an award of assets. In re the Marriage of Keepers (Mont. 1984), 691 P.2d 810, 41 St.Rep. 2163. There was no question that Arthur worked hard in the marriage. The preservation of the stock in its original form was due, at least in part, to his hard work. It never became necessary to sell the stock because the Staudts had an income from the ranch. The District Court awarded the stock to Marilyn in the division of property. We affirm the inclusion of this stock in the marital property.