Opinion ID: 2805792
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Separation and Divorce

Text: On July 24, 2010, Ira and Susan argued at their residence regarding Ira’s infidelity and his desire to end the marriage. 4 That month, Ira permanently left the residence he shared with Susan, and Susan filed for divorce on July 28, 2010. The family court found that the exact date at which Ira “moved out” of the marital residence was “unclear,” but the family 4 Susan alleged that Ira assaulted her and threatened to kill her, which resulted in Ira’s arrest on the same day. On August 5, 2010, the case against Ira for the alleged incident was formally classified “no action” by the prosecutor’s office. 5 FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAIʻI REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER court’s findings repeatedly referred to the “July 2010” date as the time at which the parties separated. In August 2010, without Ira’s knowledge and consent, Susan changed the beneficiary designation on Ira’s existing life insurance policy; obtained another life insurance policy, naming herself as the beneficiary and authorizing the premium to be paid out of Ira’s checking account; and terminated their home equity line, removing around $7,000. Susan first learned of her and Ira’s outstanding tax liability when she received a letter from the IRS notifying her that her monthly social security check of $484 would be garnished in the amount of $72.60 for nonpayment of taxes. Susan filed for innocent spouse relief, but her application and subsequent appeal were both denied by the IRS. Susan remained at the couple’s marital residence until it was sold on May 24, 2011, in conjunction with the divorce proceedings. The family court found that Susan’s only regular sources of income were her monthly social security check, money given to her by her sister, and the periodic disbursements made from the marital funds that were held in escrow at the time. However, statements from Susan’s personal bank account indicate that from December 2009 to April 2012, approximately $390,000 6 FOR PUBLICATION IN WEST’S HAWAIʻI REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER was deposited into her account. 5 In her Income and Expense Statement filed November 7, 2011, eight months before trial, Susan stated that her monthly personal expenses amounted to $1,390. At the time of trial, Susan was living in a rented room in Waikiki and was renting a vehicle because the one left in her possession was broken-down. Ira was living at the property he moved into with his girlfriend and was receiving regular income from three businesses, including the massage parlor.