Opinion ID: 1960127
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Elm Street Properties

Text: Richard purchased two apartment buildings at 32 and 39 Elm Street in January 1977, nearly two years before the marriage. Richard and Lauris testified that these properties were the money-makers, earning an average of $22,000 per year in rental income. Lauris testified that they had been appraised at $125,000. Richard testified that he made the mortgage payments for these properties throughout the marriage and that the current balance of the mortgage was about $35,000. He presented no evidence of the original purchase price, down payment, or financing terms. The trial court valued the Elm Street properties at $125,000, subject to the $35,000 mortgage, and awarded them to Richard. Although Richard presented no evidence of a nonmarital contribution, the court determined that his nonmarital share was $11,612, based on the following calculation: $90,000 (equity) ÷ 15.5 years (number of years from purchase date) ___________ = $5,806 × 2 years (length of Richard's premarital ownership) ___________ $11,612 (nonmarital share) Richard was awarded $11,612 in nonmarital equity and $78,388 in marital equity. Richard contends that the court's determination of his nonmarital share was clearly erroneous. Once again he emphasizes the fact that he obtained title to the properties before the marriage. He concedes there was no evidence of the original purchase price or the amount financed, but asserts that any increase in value from the time of acquisition is attributed to the natural appreciation of the property, rather than to marital effort. Since mortgage payments were made during the marriage, the presumption that the property was marital applies. Pursuant to 19 M.R.S.A. § 722-A(3), Richard had the burden of proving what portion of the property was nonmarital. In light of his failure to present any evidence at trial, we cannot conclude that the court's allocation between marital and nonmarital property was clearly erroneous.