Opinion ID: 883751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: issue i $6,000 equity in the house for michelle

Text: The Special Master found that Daniel had purchased the home prior to the marriage, making a downpayment of $16,000 from his settlement monies and that he had paid all mortgage payments, taxes and insurance payments associated with the house from his settlement and annuity. Moreover, Michelle ha[d] not contributed substantially to the value of the house either monetarily or as a homemaker. The distribution of property is governed by § 40-4-202, MCA, which provides in pertinent part: (1) ... In dividing property acquired prior to the marriage; ... the increased value of property acquired prior to marriage; ... 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. This Court has held that the source of the property was a major factor to be considered by the District Court dividing property under Section 40-4-202, MCA. In re Marriage of Summerfelt (1984), 212 Mont. 332, 337, 688 P.2d 8, 11. Moreover, if the increase in value of the property is not a product of contribution from a marital effort, the court may find that the non-acquiring spouse has no interest in the property at issue. In re Marriage of Stewart (1988), 232 Mont. 40, 44, 757 P.2d 765, 768. Although Stewart concerned inherited property, the proposition is applicable here. In the instant case, the court specifically found that Daniel purchased the home with his own funds before the couple married and he paid for all mortgage and insurance payments as well as taxes associated with the home. Michelle did not make any substantial contributions to the home monetarily or as a homemaker. The court also found that the increase in the value of the house was entirely due to the general inflation of home values in the Missoula area. Under subsection (a) and (b) of § 40-4-202, MCA, Michelle would not be entitled to any portion of the equity in the house because she made no contributions to the maintenance and value of the property. Moreover, although the court stated that the $6,000 in equity in the house awarded to Michelle was in lieu of maintenance, the court also stated elsewhere in the opinion that it was not appropriate for Michelle to be awarded maintenance. Therefore, under subsection (c) of § 40-4-202, MCA, Michelle would not be entitled to a portion of the equity in the house. We also note that the length of the marriage was brief  the couple lived together as husband and wife for only five months. Considering § 40-4-202, MCA, and our case law interpreting that statute, we determine that the District Court should have properly concluded that Michelle was not entitled to any share of the equity in the house. We hold that the District Court erred in awarding a share of the equity in the house to Michelle and accordingly, we reverse on this issue.