Court Opinion

ID: 9549056
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 18:12:35.662885+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:19:46.504597
License: Public Domain

Lockett, J.,
dissenting: The trial judge determined the value of the milk route to be $25,000.00. He awarded the route to the husband and half the value of that route, $12,500.00, to the wife. He then gave the husband the option of paying the wife for her share of the route award either (1) $12,500.00 or (2) a total of $12,600.00 in 36 monthly installments of $350.00 each.
By allowing the husband the option of paying monthly installments, the trial judge deprived the wife of her ability to use or invest her $12,500.00. The trial judge, in effect, loaned the husband the use of the wife’s award of $12,500.00 at an interest rate of less than 1/2 percent (.26% / .0026) when compounded monthly. This is an abuse of discretion. I would reverse the trial court.