Court Opinion

ID: 9531030
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:06:39.266673+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:19.644232
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE ALLOY, concurring in part and dissenting in part: While I agree with our decision concerning the trial court’s award of maintenance and its equal division of property, I cannot agree with the majority’s treatment of the children’s contract obligations to the parents. Mr. Smith complains that he has not received an equal division of the property, because the obligations of the children are doubtful assets and he would be in the awkward position of having to sue them to recover the money in the event of the children’s default. The majority agrees, and orders the trial court to reconsider the property division and award these receivables in equal proportions. Although these receivables are not the result of arm’s length transactions, there is no reason to believe these assets are weak, doubtful or worthless. The parties may have been trying to help their children, but that fact does not require any alteration in the equitable rules concerning divisions of marital property. Indeed, Mr. Smith listed these obligations as assets in his affidavits. Certainly, the trial court was entitled to treat these obligations in a similar fashion. More significantly, the majority’s position has no support in the law. The majority cites no authority, and I know of none, that requires the risk of diminution of value of assets to be shared equally by the former parties to a marriage. On the contrary, this doctrine could lead to inequitable results. Divorce proceedings can become entangled in collateral issues concerning the relative potential of various assets. Even the most simple property order could suddenly become burdensome. If a couple has two assets, for example, a piece of land worth $10,000 and stock worth $10,000, a trial court may no longer simply give the stock to one party and the land to the other. Finally, even if the court were to consider the relative factors of risk in diminution of assets, the disposition here is amply supported by the evidence. As the majority’s recitation of the evidence indicates, Mrs. Smith earns approximately $3,600 per year. Mr. Smith earns over seven times that amount. Mrs. Smith is 50 years old and has never earned a gross wage over $3.25 per hour. It is unlikely she will be able to earn enough even to support herself. Additionally, Mrs. Smith has custody of an emotionally disturbed daughter. Clearly, the trial court could conclude that Mr. Smith is in a far better position to withstand the default of one of the children’s obligations. He is in a better position to absorb any loss as well as to institute proceedings to recover the money or property, if that becomes necessary. The majority notes that there are no contingent provisions in the trial court order in the event of a surrender of possession of the real estate. Rather than disrupt the property division, this problem can be easily remedied by directing the trial court to order conveyance of all interests the Smiths have, in the properties involved, to Mr. Smith, if this disposition is ordered. I would affirm the judgment of the trial court.