Opinion ID: 1314376
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Necessity for Adequate Evidence at Trial

Text: The trial court's error in distributing Leslie's nonvested retirement benefits is aggravated by the fact that Leslie failed to present evidence indicating the present value of these benefits. See Wanberg v. Wanberg, 664 P.2d 568, 570 (Alaska 1983) (trial court must determine the value of the marital assets available for distribution). Similarly, Judith failed to present any evidence of the value of her vested PERS pension. We have previously held that it is the duty of the parties, not the court, to ensure that all necessary evidence is before the court in divorce proceedings and that a party who fails to present sufficient evidence may not later challenge the adequacy of the evidence on appeal. Hartland v. Hartland, 777 P.2d 636, 640 (Alaska 1989). However, in cases such as this one, where a party identifies a significant marital asset but presents no evidence as to its value, the best practice is for the trial court to direct the parties, or the delinquent party, or the party having the best access to the proof, to fill the evidentiary void. REVERSED and REMANDED for proceedings consistent with this opinion.