Opinion ID: 1619329
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: valuation of major assets.

Text: The defendant contends that the failure of the trial court to make findings of fact as to the value of major assets prior to making the property division constituted an abuse of discretion and error. The record made by the respective parties contains little, if any, credible evidence upon which the trial court could have made specific findings as to the value of the homestead, the 7½ acre parcel of land in Crivitz, and the 19-foot house trailer. The record does contain some evidence as to the purchase price of some of them as well as the plaintiff's estimated value as to others. The trial court properly did not rely on this evidence to make findings as to the value. The defendant cites Shetney, supra, and Lacey, supra, for the proposition that a trial court must properly ascertain the value of assets prior to dividing the marital estate. In both the above cited cases, this court held that in a division of property decision a trial court must establish a firm foundation for the division by including in its written findings of fact or opinion or decision the factors found to be relevant and which were considered in arriving at the disposition. Shetney, supra, 33; Lacey, supra, 386. See also Lavota v. Lavota, 70 Wis.2d 971, 974, 236 N.W.2d 224 (1975). The defendant contends that the value of key assets is a critical factor to be considered and the failure to determine such value of record is a failure to make proper findings of fact or to consider material factors as mandated by the previously cited cases. In the instant case, the trial court did state specifically in its decision the major factor which it considered in making the property division, i.e., the welfare of the minor child. Czaicki, supra, 20, 21. The trial court properly considered that the duty imposed upon the plaintiff to raise the child necessitated that she be awarded the house, regardless of its poor physical condition. Usually the circumstances are such that the trial court must ascertain the specific values of assets before making a decision upon property division. Such is the preferred procedure. However, under the circumstances of this case, no useful purpose would be served by remand to the trial court for a precise determination of values or percentages as to what was awarded to the respective parties. The assets are limited; the plaintiff was awarded the house and funds to effect repairs in order to enable her to carry out her responsibility toward the minor child; the defendant was awarded all other major assets. Valuation of the house, the 7½ acres of land, and the 19-foot house trailer, was not a critical or necessary consideration to this property division and award. By the Court. Judgment affirmed.