Court Opinion

ID: 9693011
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 16:15:32.07682+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:19:38.722101
License: Public Domain

SABERS, Justice
(dissenting).
I dissent.
I would affirm the trial court in all respects at this time. The majority opinion is premature in reversing the trial court for failing to evaluate the homestead interest. In my opinion, it simply is not necessary in this case at this time.
For example, if the surviving spouse selects $64,415 of property, and her selection includes her homestead interest, then, there is no reason to evaluate her homestead interest and the entire matter is closed. If, on the other hand, the surviving spouse selects her $64,415 of property and her selection does not include her homestead interest, then, an evaluation would be required so that the value of the homestead interest could be deducted from her selected property.
Although the procedure recommended in the majority opinion may generally be the better procedure, and may be necessary in this case at some future point in time, it is not necessary now and it may never be necessary in this case.