Opinion ID: 871547
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bonnie's Testimony

Text: Bonnie, a 59-year old teacher, testified that she received a gift and several inheritances from two family members during the course of her marriage. Specifically, Bonnie testified that in 1992, she received a $10,000 gift from her stepmother, Violet McLeod, and placed it in a newly-opened account at Owens Mortgage Investment (Owens account). Bonnie placed Aaron's name on the Owens account when it was opened, but testified that she did not intend to make a gift of that money to Aaron. That same year, Bonnie also received a $50,000 inheritance from her aunt's estate, which she put in the Owens account. Bonnie indicated that the 1992 gift and inheritance were intended for her, and not for both her and Aaron. Bonnie testified that in 1995, she removed Aaron's name from the Owens account. Bonnie further testified that while Aaron's name was on the account between 1992-1995, Aaron did not contribute any funds to that account, nor did he do so at any other time. Bonnie recalled that after 1995, she withdrew money from the Owens account to pay for education and household expenses. Bonnie testified that after 1995, she received an inheritance from her stepmother that was distributed to her in approximately the following amounts: $33,334, $308,000, $500,000, and $3,333. Bonnie testified that these monies were placed in either the Owens account or a Smith Barney account. Bonnie further testified that neither she nor Aaron have ever contributed any additional money to these accounts; she had other people managing these accounts; and Aaron knew that the money in these accounts was Bonnie's. Bonnie testified that during the divorce proceedings, she made some withdrawals from her accounts to pay for regular living expenses[,] attorneys' fees[,] and a number of trips. Bonnie indicated that during her marriage, it was usual and customary for her to take trips and to pay for her children's travel expenses.