Opinion ID: 878054
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: 60-40 division of property

Text: Appellant wife also challenges the 60-40 division of property. It is clear from the record that this was the first marriage of each of the parties and both brought virtually no assets to this marriage. The property to be distributed was acquired by the parties during their marriage. Clearly, the primary asset is the ranch property. The only reference by the court in its findings to the 60-40 split is one sentence in Finding No. 54. This above amount represents a 40-60% split of the net marital estate. No reasoning is given for the basis of such a distribution. We cannot determine whether such a division is an abuse of discretion without findings by the court explaining the reasoning behind such a decision. Consequently, we must also remand for findings with regard to this issue. Appellant contends that the District Court ordered the 60-40 property division based on Finding of Fact No. 48. It states, The Court specifically finds that Respondent [appellant] has made no contribution to the ranch since separating from the Petitioner [respondent]. Since there are no findings stating the reason for the 60-40 division, we are unable to determine whether this is, in fact, the basis for the court's decision. However, as we stated in Larson v. Larson (Mont. 1982), 649 P.2d 1351, 39 St.Rep. 1628: We caution the trial court not to place emphasis on petitioner's lack of connection with the ranch during the pendency of these proceedings. Cf. Torma v. Torma (1982), Mont., 645 P.2d 395, 39 St.Rep. 839 (discussion of parties' relative contributions toward property maintenance and equity after final decree has been entered). Though petitioner's homemaking services and nonmonetary contributions may not have been rendered in the ranch context, they nevertheless continued as petitioner had custody and primary responsibility for the physical and emotional needs of the parties' minor children. This no doubt facilitated respondent's ability to maintain his employment and ranch responsibilities as he was not required to take time from these activities to ensure that the children's basic needs were being met. In this case the wife cared for the youngest child of the parties during the pendency of these proceedings. We consider that to be a significant contribution under the circumstances and hold that the District Court should reconsider its findings with regard to the wife's contribution since separation, and if this is in fact the basis for the 60-40 division, should also reconsider its decision to divide the property in such a manner in light of our holding in Larson.