Opinion ID: 880226
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Issue 1. Did the District Court err in failing to make adequate findings of fact before dividing the marital property?

Text: Division of marital property is governed by statute: (1) In a proceeding for dissolution of a marriage, legal separation, or division of property following a decree of dissolution of marriage or legal separation by a court which lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse or lacked jurisdiction to divide the property, the court, without regard to marital misconduct, shall, and in a proceeding for legal separation may, finally equitably apportion between the parties the property and assets belonging to either or both, however and whenever acquired and whether the title thereto is in the name of the husband or wife or both. In making apportionment, the court shall consider the duration of the marriage and prior marriage of either party; the age, health, station, occupation, amount and sources of income, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities, and needs of each of the parties; custodial provisions; whether the apportionment is in lieu of or in addition to maintenance; and the opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income. The court shall also consider the contribution or dissipation of value of the respective estates and the contribution of a spouse as a homemaker or to the family unit. In dividing property acquired prior to the marriage; property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or descent; property acquired in exchange for property acquired before the marriage or in exchange for property acquired by gift, bequest, devise or descent; the increased value of property acquired prior to marriage; and property acquired by a spouse after a decree of legal separation, the court shall consider those contributions of the other spouse to the marriage, including: (a) the nonmonetary contribution of a homemaker; (b) the extent to which such contributions have facilitated the maintenance of this property; and (c) whether or not the property division serves as an alternative to maintenance arrangements. Section 40-4-202(1), MCA. As this statute and Montana case law makes clear, Equity, not equality, should guide the District Court's discretion in dividing the marital estate. In re Marriage of Fitzmorris (1987), 229 Mont. 96, 745 P.2d 353, 354, 44 St.Rep. 1809, 1811. The District Court holds far-reaching discretion in dividing marital property. In re Marriage of Dirnberger (Mont. 1989), 773 P.2d 330, 332, 46 St.Rep. 898, 900 (quoting In re Marriage of Stewart (Mont. 1988), 757 P.2d 765, 767, 45 St.Rep. 850, 852, and In re Marriage of Watson (1987), 227 Mont. 383, 739 P.2d 951, 954, 44 St.Rep. 1167, 1170). Furthermore, the standard of review for property division is that the District Court's judgment, when based upon substantial credible evidence, will not be altered unless a clear abuse of discretion is shown. Id. Ronald argues that the District Court's findings and conclusions were insufficient for that court to determine the parties' net worth in order to make an equitable division of the marital property. A district court is obligated to make a finding of net worth before dividing the marital estate. Schultz v. Schultz (1980), 188 Mont. 363, 365, 613 P.2d 1022, 1024. Such finding of net worth, however, need not be stated in a finding of fact as an exact amount. It is only necessary that the cumulative effect of the findings can be equivalent to a finding of net worth when relevant factors are considered and adequately set forth by the trial court. In re Marriage of Hunter (1982), 196 Mont. 235, 245, 639 P.2d 489, 494. Ronald complains that of the court's 60 plus findings and conclusions in the original Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (which were incorporated into the amended version), only five dealt with the parties' liability. Ronald contends that these few findings concerning liability were inadequate to determine net worth and, thus, inadequate to make an equitable division of property. Having reviewed the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, filed after both the January 14, 1988 and November 18, 1988 hearings, we hold that the findings provide a sound foundation for the court's judgment. As we have previously noted: This foundation need not consist of a multitude of evidentiary facts, but the findings of fact must set forth a recordation of the essential and determining facts upon which the court rested its conclusions of law and without which the judgment would lack support. Stratford v. Stratford (Mont. 1981), 631 P.2d 296, 298, 38 St.Rep. 1093, 1095. In the case at bar, the District Court, while not making a totally exhaustive list, did set forth the essential and determining facts from which it drew conclusions of law that supported its judgment. The few findings that deal with the parties' liabilities are adequate, and, taken together with the other findings and conclusions, the parties' net worth is capable of being determined. We hold that there was no abuse of discretion. Furthermore, we hold that the District Court equitably divided the couple's property, within the requirements of § 40-4-202, MCA, pertinent to the situation: Ronald, in defiance of the court's restraining order dissipated the marital estate; there was extensive testimony regarding assets and liabilities of the parties, with the court's findings detailed in the findings and conclusions; the contribution to the marriage of both parties were considered; the disparity between the real income and earning potential of Ronald and Lucinda were noted; and the obligation to support children from prior marriages was set out. The findings of fact and conclusions of law support the District Court's judgment, and we conclude an equitable distribution was made.