Opinion ID: 1952992
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Equitable Distribution to Rosemarie

Text: Frank next challenges the award of 80 percent of his net income and assets to Rosemarie. We are convinced that the evidence of fraud established in this proceeding was sufficient to support the amended judgment and further, we conclude that the 80 percent apportionment to Rosemarie was appropriate and consistent with the parties' original intent. Had Frank been forthcoming from the beginning, Rosemarie would have been entitled to an 80 percent distribution of the marital assets, including the cash he purloined from the marital domicile and deposited in secret bank accounts. In making this award, the trial justice found that Rosemarie had been damaged by Frank's misconduct, was deprived of property that was rightfully part of the marital estate, and suffered the loss of interest income these funds would have earned. Further, Rosemarie suffered an additional two years of unnecessary litigation. The trial justice declared that, [T]he mere filing of the motions could have and should have resolved this matter if the [d]efendant had been forthright. Instead, the [d]efendant began a course of fraud and deceit even while being afforded immunity from prosecution. To deprive [p]laintiff of any portion of that to which she is entitled as a result of the unilateral effort of the [d]efendant herein seems incongruous. Based upon the terms of the original marital settlement agreement providing for an 80 percent allocation to Rosemarie and clear evidence of defendant's wrongful conduct, the award of 80 percent of the undisclosed assets and net income is both fair and equitable. This award was well supported by the evidence and did not result in duplicative recovery as Frank contends. We decline to disturb the distribution of these funds. Additionally, defendant argues that in determining the amount to be equitably distributed, the trial justice erred in including income in his calculation and not limiting his award to monetary assets. The defendant asks this Court to relieve Frank of the amount awarded from his income and to recognize that gross income is not subject to equitable distribution; he asks us to recognize that an award of income is appropriate only in circumstances of spousal support, which Rosemarie waived by agreement. Additionally, Frank contends that the trial justice erred by not first deducting living expenses and taxes from the amount of net income allocated to Rosemarie. We decline to address the merits of defendant's argument because he failed to preserve these issues at any point in this controversy.