Opinion ID: 1385788
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Apportionment, Maintenance and Child Support

Text: True net worth of the marital estate must be accurately determined before the issues of equitable apportionment, maintenance and child support can be resolved; however, we have included appellant's claims regarding these issues to provide guidance to the District Court. Appellant contends the District Court failed to apply the mandates of section 40-4-202, MCA, in the division of the marital property. We agree. The determinations made must be measured against the statute. In apportioning the marital estate the District Court must follow the requirements of section 40-4-202(1), MCA, and our case law. Smith v. Smith (1981), Mont., 622 P.2d 1022, 38 St.Rep. 146; Tefft v. Tefft (1981), Mont., 628 P.2d 1094, 38 St.Rep. 837. In deciding the issue of maintenance, the court must follow the guidelines found in section 40-4-203, MCA. Bowman v. Bowman (1981), Mont., 633 P.2d 1198, 38 St.Rep. 1515. Finally, the issue of child support must be determined in accordance with section 40-4-204, MCA. The District Court must, at the very least, consider and apply the enumerated statutory factors which control the exercise of its discretion. This was not done in this case.