Opinion ID: 2102051
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: seventy percent/thirty percent division

Text: Wife contends the trial court erred by awarding husband seventy percent and her thirty percent of the net marital estate. The court found that wife's contribution was minimized by her frequent absences from the marital home and limited time spent in the business endeavors. She also refused to contribute any of her premarital assets to the business. Wife claims the trial court did not adequately consider other required factors, such as duration of the marriage, ages of the parties, health, ability to earn, and the value of the property of each. Krage, supra ; Hansen, supra. In Wolff v. Wolff, 349 N.W.2d 656 (S.D.1984), however, we held that a valid consideration was whether a wife depleted more than she contributed to marital assets. Id. at 658. Moreover, a trial court has broad discretion in dividing property and its decision will not be upset absent a clear abuse of discretion. Id. at 659. The record supports the trial court's percentage division, provided all marital assets are properly included. We reverse and remand for further findings by the trial court on the nature of the transfers. Such findings, together with an enhanced valuation of the home, and consideration of the $6,200.00 loan and education payments, will increase the net marital asset valuation. We cannot conclude, however, that a seventy/thirty percent division was an abuse of discretion. WOLLMAN, MORGAN, and HENDERSON, JJ., concur. WUEST, Circuit Judge, acting as Supreme Court Justice, concurs.