Opinion ID: 878869
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failure to Include Ranch Payment as Debt

Text: Since the Staudts' separation, two annual contract payments on the ranch, for the years 1982 and 1983, have become due. The 1982 payment was made by Arthur. In 1983, Marilyn received a default notice that the ranch payment of $5,188.79 had not been made. She borrowed the money from her mother in order to make this payment. Appellant argues that it was error for the court not to include this debt incurred by her, among the marital debts and require repayment thereof. The District Court did not discuss this debt extensively, but did indicate awareness of it in its findings of fact number 10, when it stated: Since separation, both have participated in making payments on the ranch and both have received some income from the ranch. It was a burden for Marilyn to have to make this ranch payment when she was not even living on the ranch. However, the payment was made to protect her equity in a very important asset. She, as well as her husband, is responsible for preserving the ranch because upon its sale she will receive one-half of the proceeds. As with the division of property, the District Court is given wide discretion in the division of debts. In re the Marriage of Loegering (Mont. 1984), 689 P.2d 260, 41 St. Rep. 1892. We see no error in the District Court's failure to include this ranch payment in marital debts. We affirm.