Opinion ID: 2509669
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Valuation of Avtex VI

Text: With respect to Avtex VI, the family court allocated $254,920.35 as a non-marital asset and $194,730.82 as a marital asset subject to equitable division in recognition of Husband's contribution in acquiring the Casual Living lease. By statute, marital property subject to equitable distribution is by default valued at the date of the divorce filing. S.C.Code Ann. § 20-3-630 (Supp.2010). While our jurisprudence has carved out exceptions to this rule, the burden of proof is properly on the party seeking a deviation from the statutory filing date. See Schaffer ex rel. Schaffer v. Weast, 546 U.S. 49, 56, 126 S.Ct. 528, 534, 163 L.Ed.2d 387 (2005) (The burdens of pleading and proof with regard to most facts have and should be assigned to the plaintiff who generally seeks to change the present state of affairs and who therefore naturally should be expected to bear the risk of failure or proof or persuasion) ( quoting 2 J. Strong, McCormick on Evidence § 337, p. 412 (5th ed.1999)). Here, the burden of proof is on Wife to show Husband's activity is passive because she seeks a deviation. However, the Record is insufficiently developed to classify Husband's contribution to the acquisition of the Casual Living lease as passive. Thus, Wife fails to meet her burden of proof, and we affirm the family court's decision as to Avtex VI.