Opinion ID: 1333278
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Equitable Distribution

Text: With regard to the issue of equitable distribution, the recommended order of family law master Gallagher reflected, as near as possible, a 50-50 division of the parties' marital property. In particular, after enumerating the various items of marital property and determining the value thereof, the family law master concluded that Mr. Chafin would be required to pay Lewis the sum of $232,233 in order to achieve an equal distribution. [13] Chafin contends, however, that the distribution should not have been upon a 50-50 basis. Specifically, citing W.Va.Code, 48-2-1(f) [1992], which provides that separate property includes property acquired during a marriage, but excluded from treatment as marital property by a valid agreement of the parties, see n. 11, supra, Chafin asserts that he and Lewis, in fact, had an oral agreement not to share in each other's assets during the marriage. According to Chafin, such an agreement was evidenced by the facts that the parties: (1) never commingled their funds into joint accounts, [14] (2) never acquired property by joint title and (3) practiced law in the form of separate, sole proprietorships. Asserting that his contribution to the marital estate was significantly greater than the contribution of Lewis, Chafin contends that the circuit court committed error in distributing the property equally. On the other hand, as evidenced by her deposition taken below, Lewis asserts that the marriage simply evolved without a specific agreement as to whether joint accounts or joint titles to property should be established. [15] However, Lewis asserts, the assets of the marriage were utilized by the parties for joint purposes, especially with regard to the parties' daughter. Moreover, Lewis emphasizes the fact that the record contains neither a formal prenuptial agreement nor a separation agreement concerning the parties' property. Therefore, according to Lewis, the 50-50 division of marital property was warranted. The recommended order of family law master Gallagher states: There was no basis presented to the Court to divide the marital property other than on an equal basis. The Master expressly finds that equitable distribution in this case means an equal distribution. As indicated above, according to W.Va.Code, 48-2-32 [1996], a circuit court is generally required to divide the marital property of the parties equally between the parties. In Somerville, supra, this Court held that a circuit court abused its discretion by awarding a former wife less than 50% of the marital property, where the circuit court failed to articulate a reason for the unequal division. 179 W.Va. at 390, 369 S.E.2d at 463. In syllabus point 1 of Somerville, this Court stated: In the absence of a valid agreement, the trial court in a divorce case shall presume that all marital property is to be divided equally between the parties, but may alter this distribution, without regard to fault, based on consideration of certain statutorily enumerated factors, including: (1) monetary contributions to marital property such as employment income, other earnings, and funds which were separate property; (2) non-monetary contributions to marital property, such as homemaker services, child care services, labor performed without compensation, labor performed in the actual maintenance or improvement of tangible marital property, or labor performed in the management or investment of assets which are marital property; (3) the effect of the marriage on the income-earning abilities of the parties, such as contributions by either party to the education or training of the other party, or foregoing by either party of employment or education; or (4) conduct by either party that lessened the value of marital property. W.Va.Code, 48-2-32(c) (1986). Syl. pt. 3, Pratt v. Pratt, 197 W.Va. 102, 475 S.E.2d 102 (1996); syl. pt. 1, Sellitti v. Sellitti, 192 W.Va. 546, 453 S.E.2d 380 (1994); syl. pt. 5, Wood, supra ; syl. pt. 2, Brown v. Brown, 184 W.Va. 627, 403 S.E.2d 29 (1991). In this action, the recommended order of the family law master contained extensive findings upon the issue of equitable distribution, as required by W.Va.Code, 48-2-32(f) [1996], set forth above. The parties executed neither a written prenuptial agreement nor a separation agreement. See, syl. pt. 2, Gant v. Gant, 174 W.Va. 740, 329 S.E.2d 106 (1985). Moreover, as indicated above, the evidence of the parties was conflicting with regard to the existence of an oral agreement concerning their property. Consequently, this Court is of the opinion that the division of the parties' marital property upon a 50-50 basis did not constitute an abuse of discretion.