Opinion ID: 2271826
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Evidence of Andrew's Financial Contributions to Dorothy's Education

Text: After her children were born, Dorothy attended college two evenings a week over the course of two years. She later attended the University of Rhode Island and then took courses at New York University from January until May of 1996. Dorothy's education was intended to enable her to be more effective in her roles at Connect Corporation, benefiting Andrew as well as herself. Dorothy also testified that when she attended the University of Rhode Island, her children were older, enabling her to maintain employment as a real estate agent, and enhancing her ability to contribute to the family's financial well-being. Andrew argues that the trial justice failed to take into account his financial contributions to Dorothy's education. In response, Dorothy argues that the trial justice did, in fact, consider Andrew's contributions to Dorothy's education when she distributed the marital property. This, she maintains, is reflected in the trial justice's specific acknowledgement of Andrew's support for Dorothy's education. Indeed, in her decision, the trial justice awarded half of Dorothy's teacher pension to Andrew. The trial justice said, In terms of their assisting each other with education, clearly, [Andrew], even after [Dorothy] filed for divorce, continued to contribute to her continuing education. This finding is supported by the record. Therefore, although the trial justice's treatment of Andrew's contribution to Dorothy's education was brief, it is our opinion that the trial justice sufficiently considered it, as she was required to do by statute, and she did not overlook or misconceive relevant evidence. See Olivieri, 760 A.2d at 1250 (holding that the magistrate adequately enumerated and discussed each factor, even if briefly when he distributed marital property).