Opinion ID: 1860448
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: did the trial court err in granting the appellee a $20,000.00 equitable interest in the homestead?

Text: Again we review a finding of fact made by the chancellor and again our scope of review is limited. It appears that the chancellor granted Danne a twenty thousand dollar ($20,000.00) equitable interest in Mike's interest in the homestead, which is titled in both Michael and Danne's names as joint tenants, to secure payment of the $20,000.00 debt owed to Danne from Mike Dunn Auto Sales. Much was made at trial of the cash that always seemed available to Michael Dunn, his inability to say where it came from or where it was kept, the savings accounts which he controlled although in the names of his children from his first marriage, and the business deals of Mike Dunn Auto which allowed Michael to pocket cash. This was not lost on the chancellor, who stated that the way Michael ran his business raise[d] a question as to whether he would be deceptive in his financial representations to his wife. The chancellor clearly determined that an equitable lien was necessary to protect Danne and insure payment of the twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) by Mike Dunn Auto Sales. There is substantial evidence in the record to support this finding of the chancellor and he has the authority necessary to impose such a lien. See Mississippi Code Annotated § 93-5-23 (Supp. 1991). We affirm the chancellor's order concerning the $20,000.00 lien against Michael's interest in the homestead to secure payment of the $20,000.00 debt owed Danne from Mike Dunn Auto Sales.