Opinion ID: 2258864
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Omitted Property

Text: Donald next argues that the pension is not omitted property within the meaning of the statute. Donna discussed the pension with her attorney at the time of the divorce and decided not to pursue it. Donald contends Donna should not be able to use section 722-A(6) to reverse a decision she made at the time of the divorce simply because she no longer believes her decision was correct. Although the law in existence before the effective date of section 722-A(6) would require a different conclusion in this case, see Carr v. Carr, 656 A.2d 743, 744 (Me.1995), under present law Donald's contentions are unavailing. The statute's language is applicable and its meaning is clear: marital property that is not set apart or divided in a final divorce decree is omitted property which may be disposed of by the court as justice requires. See Fullerton v. Knox County Commissioners, 672 A.2d 592, 594 (Me.1996) (statutes are interpreted by first looking at the plain meaning of the statutory language seeking to give effect to the legislative intent). Furthermore, the legislative history of section 722-A(6) shows that the statute was designed specifically to enable spouses to reach military pension benefits not disposed of in a divorce judgment. See Salenius v. Salenius, 654 A.2d 426, 429 (Me.1995). The statute provides an exception to the strong, long-recognized, policy consideration concerning the importance of finality of property settlements in divorce judgments. See id. at 430. The pension was not mentioned in the divorce judgment; therefore, it is omitted property pursuant to the statute. [3]