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DIVORCE 66: Defendant not entitled to any portion of the house’s appreciated value.

In this case, the trial court conducted a trial and determined that plaintiff would have sole physical custody of the child, the parties would share joint legal custody of the child, and defendant was not entitled to any portion of the house’s appreciated value while the parties were married.

Defendant argues that he is entitled to a portion of the house’s appreciated value during the time that he was married to plaintiff.

Marital and Separate Assets

The trial court’s first consideration when dividing property in divorce proceedings is the determination of marital and separate assets. The parties agree that plaintiff bought this home before the marriage. Generally, each party takes away from the marriage that party’s own separate estate with no invasion by the other party.

Growth of Asset

When one significantly assists in the acquisition or growth of a spouse’s separate asset, the court may consider the contribution as having a distinct value deserving of compensation.

The record establishes that defendant attempted to make house repairs to the sunroom and the garage; he also completed the back splash in the kitchen as well as some electrical work. But testimony from plaintiff, plaintiff’s mother, and a contractor revealed that the work defendant performed was not adequate and either needed to be redone or removed.

Although defendant argues that his funds were comingled with plaintiff’s payment of the mortgage, defendant does not demonstrate that his actions significantly assisted in the growth of the home’s value. The testimony provides that defendant’s payments into the joint checking account did not continue and only contributed to less than half of the household expenses before considering the mortgage payments.

Trial Court

The trial court’s determination not to divide the appreciation of the home was equitable.

Providing Advice to Clients Facing Divorces

To protect your financial rights, it is important to have an experienced and understanding divorce attorney by your side at every step of the way. Our focus is on resolving your dispute as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, while fully safeguarding your rights.

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PROBATE 53: The trust agreement included an Incontestability Provision.

A settlor’s intent is to be carried out as nearly as possible. Generally, in terrorem clauses are valid and enforceable. However, a provision in a trust that purports to penalize an interested person for contesting the trust or instituting another proceeding relating to the trust shall not be given effect if probable cause exists for instituting a proceeding contesting the trust or another proceeding relating to the trust.

FAMILY LAW 82: Court stated it would terminate the personal protection order (PPO) after the parties present documentation of the initiation of the divorce proceedings.

However, the trial court concluded that these matters should, in fact, be in the province and the jurisdiction of the Family Division and in that respect, having issued a personal protection order, the Court stated it would terminate the personal protection order after the parties present documentation of the initiation of the divorce proceedings.

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FAMILY LAW 77: Court awarded plaintiff sole legal custody; defendant was unwilling to work with plaintiff.

For joint custody to work, parents must be able to agree with each other on basic issues in child rearing including health care, religion, education, day to day decision making and discipline and they must be willing to cooperate with each other in joint decision making. If two equally capable parents are unable to cooperate and to agree generally concerning important decisions affecting the welfare of their children, the court has no alternative but to determine which parent shall have sole custody of the children.

CRIMINAL 19: Sentencing guidelines are advisory.

The sentencing guidelines are advisory, and although a trial court must determine the applicable guidelines range and take it into account when imposing a sentence, the court is not required to sentence a defendant within that range.

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