The court determined the division of assets in a divorce proceeding where there were allegations of domestic violence. The wife received a total of 65% of the assets, including an 8% adjustment for the husband's premature spending of superannuation funds and a 7% adjustment for the impact of the husband's severe and prolonged physical and emotional violence against the wife and children over the 30-year marriage. The court accepted evidence that the violence had a significant negative impact on the wife's contributions to the marriage.
A letter issued by the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York to member landowners and the general public on the status of the lawsuit they intend to file on behalf of landowners against New York State over its ongoing moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer
How to Draft a Prenup You Never Plan to Use
Presented by Melinda M. Previtera, Esquire with
Petrelli Previtera, LLC
https://www.petrellilaw.com/our-team/melinda-m-previtera/
Our Offices in Philadelphia & New Jersey
PHILADELPHIA (215) 523-6900 1845
Walnut Street, 19th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103
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PRINCETON, NJ (609) 917 9560
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210 New Road #15 Linwood, NJ 08221
In certain circumstances, where a marriage or de facto relationship has ended, one party may have a claim against the other party for spousal maintenance.
This guide provides an overview of the spousal maintenance regime.
It is important to understand however, that each individual case is different.
The Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 provides for the provisions for maintenance. The provisions enumerated under the code are explained herein the slides along with the remedies available for maintenance and against maintenance.
A letter issued by the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York to member landowners and the general public on the status of the lawsuit they intend to file on behalf of landowners against New York State over its ongoing moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer
How to Draft a Prenup You Never Plan to Use
Presented by Melinda M. Previtera, Esquire with
Petrelli Previtera, LLC
https://www.petrellilaw.com/our-team/melinda-m-previtera/
Our Offices in Philadelphia & New Jersey
PHILADELPHIA (215) 523-6900 1845
Walnut Street, 19th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19103
NORRISTOWN (610) 924-2870
516 DeKalb Street, Suite C Norristown, PA 19401 Details
DOYLESTOWN (267) 938-4480
40 E Court Street 2nd Floor Doylestown, PA 18901
VOORHEES, NJ (201) 655-7204 1020
1020 Laurel Oak Road, Suite 203, Voorhees, NJ 08043
CHICAGO (312) 252-2085
180 North Stetson Suite 3500 Chicago, IL 60601
PRINCETON, NJ (609) 917 9560
29 Emmons Drive Suite E-30 Princeton, NJ 08540
LINWOOD, NJ (609) 375-0351
210 New Road #15 Linwood, NJ 08221
In certain circumstances, where a marriage or de facto relationship has ended, one party may have a claim against the other party for spousal maintenance.
This guide provides an overview of the spousal maintenance regime.
It is important to understand however, that each individual case is different.
The Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 provides for the provisions for maintenance. The provisions enumerated under the code are explained herein the slides along with the remedies available for maintenance and against maintenance.
The Fate of Property Held as Joint Tenants in a State Without Unilateral Seve...William Sloan
Where clients have made or are making an Enduring Power of Attorney ensure that both the client and the Attorney understand that the Attorney will be entitled to be automatically recognised as the client’s Case Guardian in any subsequent Family Court proceedings after the client no longer has capacity.
• If parties are considering acquiring property, then ensure you give complete advice about the potential consequences of holding a property as joint tenants including the fact that unilateral severance is currently not available in Western Australia.
• If parties already hold property as joint tenants, then consider giving advice about options to take steps to sever the joint tenancy, including the prospect of subsequent Family Court proceedings if the property continues to be held as joint tenants.
Recorded on March 6, 2013 - This webinar in the Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) series looks at the Ontario rules for division of family property, for married and co-habiting couples following relationship breakdown. Topics include the equalization payment, the matrimonial home, and issues for surviving spouses. Presenters are Tamar Witelson, Legal Director at The Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC) and Robert Halpern, partner and head of the Family Law Group at the law firm Torkin Manes.
This webinar is produced by METRAC as part of the Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) series in partnership with CLEO.
Watch an archived recording of this webinar and download copies of presentation materials at:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/webinar/property-rights-and-obligations-married-and-co-habiting-partners-updated-march-2013
Family Finances Series: Separation and Single Parenting in the MilitaryMFLNFamilyDevelopmnt
For many service members with families and children, it can be a difficult balance between responsibilities to their families and to the military. Separation and single parenting can make this balance even more difficult, leaving service members and their family members shouldering even more responsibilities than before. During this 90-minute webinar, Dr. Mixon and Dr. Gillen will discuss both the emotional and financial impacts of separation and single parenting in the military.
http://www.the-divorce-solicitors.co.uk
If your marriage has broken down before the mark of one year in which you can file for Divorce, then you may want to consider Judicial Separation. This presentation will provide you with more information on Judicial Separation; if you qualify, how to go about it and what it means for you.
For more information, visit our website:
http://www.the-divorce-solicitors.co.uk
Faq about divorce in the uae personal statusCateSusen
Divorce has legal implications that require many procedures, in addition to other issues that are governed by Federal Law No. (28) of 2005 regarding personal status in the UAE (the Personal Status Law).
The Personal Status Law defines divorce as the dissolution of the legitimate marriage contract and indicated that a divorce is a legitimate act, whether it is verbally or in writing, or it is understood by a clear signal in the event of a disability.
Seasoned veteran of family law, Leigh Carson of The Carson Law Firm, takes you through the basics of divorce law in St. Louis. Following this guide will help you be sure you start with a strong foundation and can help you save money, time, and frustration. You can learn more at http://thecarsonlawfirm.com/st-louis-divorce-the-basics/
Sari Friedman Lawyer - Brief Introduction and Explanation about Famiy Laws Sari Friedman & Friedman
Sari Friedman Lawyer has published many articles on divorce law, family law matters and achieved many awards. Family law matters include divorce cases, child custody, adoption, etc.. Some relations need legal identities like marriage and adoption. We require a proper legal papers as a proof for these relations. Family law expert and divorce expert Sari Friedman Lawyer are explaining the procedures that we need to follow in divorce cases.
The Fate of Property Held as Joint Tenants in a State Without Unilateral Seve...William Sloan
Where clients have made or are making an Enduring Power of Attorney ensure that both the client and the Attorney understand that the Attorney will be entitled to be automatically recognised as the client’s Case Guardian in any subsequent Family Court proceedings after the client no longer has capacity.
• If parties are considering acquiring property, then ensure you give complete advice about the potential consequences of holding a property as joint tenants including the fact that unilateral severance is currently not available in Western Australia.
• If parties already hold property as joint tenants, then consider giving advice about options to take steps to sever the joint tenancy, including the prospect of subsequent Family Court proceedings if the property continues to be held as joint tenants.
Recorded on March 6, 2013 - This webinar in the Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) series looks at the Ontario rules for division of family property, for married and co-habiting couples following relationship breakdown. Topics include the equalization payment, the matrimonial home, and issues for surviving spouses. Presenters are Tamar Witelson, Legal Director at The Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC) and Robert Halpern, partner and head of the Family Law Group at the law firm Torkin Manes.
This webinar is produced by METRAC as part of the Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) series in partnership with CLEO.
Watch an archived recording of this webinar and download copies of presentation materials at:
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/webinar/property-rights-and-obligations-married-and-co-habiting-partners-updated-march-2013
Family Finances Series: Separation and Single Parenting in the MilitaryMFLNFamilyDevelopmnt
For many service members with families and children, it can be a difficult balance between responsibilities to their families and to the military. Separation and single parenting can make this balance even more difficult, leaving service members and their family members shouldering even more responsibilities than before. During this 90-minute webinar, Dr. Mixon and Dr. Gillen will discuss both the emotional and financial impacts of separation and single parenting in the military.
http://www.the-divorce-solicitors.co.uk
If your marriage has broken down before the mark of one year in which you can file for Divorce, then you may want to consider Judicial Separation. This presentation will provide you with more information on Judicial Separation; if you qualify, how to go about it and what it means for you.
For more information, visit our website:
http://www.the-divorce-solicitors.co.uk
Faq about divorce in the uae personal statusCateSusen
Divorce has legal implications that require many procedures, in addition to other issues that are governed by Federal Law No. (28) of 2005 regarding personal status in the UAE (the Personal Status Law).
The Personal Status Law defines divorce as the dissolution of the legitimate marriage contract and indicated that a divorce is a legitimate act, whether it is verbally or in writing, or it is understood by a clear signal in the event of a disability.
Seasoned veteran of family law, Leigh Carson of The Carson Law Firm, takes you through the basics of divorce law in St. Louis. Following this guide will help you be sure you start with a strong foundation and can help you save money, time, and frustration. You can learn more at http://thecarsonlawfirm.com/st-louis-divorce-the-basics/
Sari Friedman Lawyer - Brief Introduction and Explanation about Famiy Laws Sari Friedman & Friedman
Sari Friedman Lawyer has published many articles on divorce law, family law matters and achieved many awards. Family law matters include divorce cases, child custody, adoption, etc.. Some relations need legal identities like marriage and adoption. We require a proper legal papers as a proof for these relations. Family law expert and divorce expert Sari Friedman Lawyer are explaining the procedures that we need to follow in divorce cases.
INTRODUCTON: The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) in Chapter XX (sections 493 to 498), provides punishment for offences relating to marriage. These offences may be grouped into four categories:
(i) Mock marriages or deceitful marriages (sections 493, 496);
(ii) Bigamy (sections 494, 495); (iii) Adultery (section 497); and
(iv) Enticing, taking away or detaining a married woman, with criminal intent
(section 498).
FRAUDULENT CONDUCT IN MARRIAGE
Section 493, IPC reads as under:
493. Cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief lawful marriage. Every man who by deceit causes any woman who not lawfully married to him to believe that she is lawfully married to him and to cohabit or have sexual intercourse with him in that belief, shall b punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which ma extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
This section is invoked when a man, either married or unmarried, induces woman to become (as she thinks) his wife, but in reality, she is his concubine. Th offence be committed by a person falsely causing a woman to believe that h may committed by a person foxy causing women to believe that he
is of the same race, creed or religion as herself, and thus inducing her to contract marriage, which in reality is unlawful, but which according to the law under which she lives, is valid. Suppose a person, half English, half Asiatic by blood, calls himself a Mohammedan or Hindu and by this deception, causes a Mohammedan or a Hindu woman to go through the ceremony of marriage, in a form which she deems valid, and to cohabit with him, he has committed this offence.
Live-in Valid Marriage Relationship: Live-in or marriage like relationship is neither a crime nor a sin socially unacceptable in India. The decision to marry in not to marry have a heterosexual relationship is entirely personal. All Live-in-relation are not relationships in the nature of marriage.
Indra Sarma v VKV Sarma
Per KS Radhakrishnan, J Appellant and respondent were working together in a private company.
The respondent, who was working as a Personal Officer of the Company, was a married person having two children and the appellant, aged 33 years, was unmarried Constant contacts between them developed intimacy and in 1992, appellant left the job from the above mentioned Company and started living with the respondent in a shared household Appellant's family members, including her father, brother and sister, and also the wife of the respondent, opposed that live-in-relationship. She has also maintained the stand that the respondent, in fact, started a business in her name and that they were earning from that business. After som
109 The mother ’s homeschool-ing of the minor child .docxpaynetawnya
109
T
he mother ’s homeschool-
ing of the minor child
was a factor that should
have been considered in setting
her spousal support, according
to a Louisiana appellate court
decision. In Rhymes v. Rhymes ,
125 So3d 377 (La App 2013),
both parents were mechani-
cal engineers. At the time of
the birth of their daughter, by
mutual consent, the mother
stopped working to stay home
with the child. Four years later, a
second child was born. Perceiv-
ing the public school system in
Baton Rouge to be inadequate
and the private school sys-
tem too expensive, the parties
decided the wife would home-
school the children. She had
instructed the children since
they were fi ve years of age. The
trial court found she was enti-
tled to support in the amount
of $500 per month for a period
of 12 months and to a payment
not to exceed $2,400 for a course
of study, which would enable
her to update her training as a
mechanical engineer. However,
this ruling was reversed.
As in other jurisdictions, the
applicable statute stated that
“The court shall consider all
relevant factors in determin-
ing the amount and duration of
fi nal support.” This is followed
by a nonexclusive list of spe-
cifi c factors. The father could
afford the additional payments
requested. Evidence elicited from
the court-appointed educational
evaluator showed the children
were well-educated and thriv-
ing in their homeschool environ-
ment. Testimony further showed
the mother’s obligation to home-
school the children had an effect
on her earning capacity, as she
spent approximately 27.5 hours
per week on this activity.
EQUALIZING PAYMENT
BASED ON FUTURE
EARNINGS
To place the parties in a long-
term marriage (more than 25
years) in “roughly equal” fi nan-
cial positions, a court may con-
sider the parties’ future earnings,
according to a Washington appel-
late court decision. Marriage of
Wright , 2013 WL 7137154 (Wash
App 12/16/2013), explained that
a trial court was not required
to place the parties in precisely
equal fi nancial positions at the
moment of dissolution. Rather, if
the spouses were in a long-term
marriage of 25 years or more,
the court’s objective was to place
the parties in “roughly equal
fi nancial positions” for the rest
of their lives. To reach this objec-
tive, the court could account
for each spouse’s anticipated
postdissolution earnings in its
property distribution by looking
forward.
The court awarded each
party more than $8 million,
then applied an equalizing pay-
ment and three years of spousal
maintenance to the wife, leav-
ing an immediate imbalance
of $3,369,196 in her favor. But,
“looking forward,” as was
required in a long-term mar-
riage, the court also determined
that the husband would earn
at least $10 million in 2.5 years
after dissolution from his surgery
practice. On this basis, he would
ultimately end up with nearly
$2.7 million more than the wife in
the long run.
S ...
What you need to know before living together, getting and engaged and tying t...Bolt Burdon
We look at the financial implication of living with a partner, getting engaged and marriage. This slide examines some of the common misconceptions and what can be done to safeguard property and assets in the event of a relationship breakdown and will provide an overview of the financial claims available to couples upon separation at different stages of the relationship.
M E M O R A N D U MTO Emma James, EsquireFROM Nation.docxSHIVA101531
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Emma James, Esquire
FROM: National Legal Research Group, Inc.
Brett R. Turner, Senior Attorney
RE: Maryland/Family Law/Equitable Distribution/Contribution�Abused Spouse
FILE: 28-22956-247 February 4, 1998
1
STATEMENT OF FACTS
The parties to this action were married at some point before 1987. In 1987, they
purchased a marital home located at 4746 Marion Avenue in Baltimore City. The $1,000
down payment for the purchase, and $2,314 in closing costs, came from the husband's
nonmarital funds. Mortgage payments were thereafter made regularly, using marital funds.
The parties were separated on February 14, 1988. The immediate cause of the
separation was a physical altercation which began when the husband threw the parties' son
onto a bed. The wife, outraged by this treatment, attempted to intervene physically between
the husband and the son. The husband then punched the wife repeatedly, giving her two
black eyes. The wife was on the telephone with her brother at the time, and he overheard
the entire altercation. This incident convinced the wife that the parties could not live
together peacefully. The incident occurred in late October of 1987, and as soon as the wife
was able to obtain employment, she left the marital home.
The parties were divorced by order of this court dated February 27, 1990. The decree
expressly reserved jurisdiction to divide the marital home at some future date. The decree
was endorsed by counsel for the wife, but the endorsement was qualified by the phrase
"APPROVED AS TO FORM."
It was the understanding and expectation of both parties that the husband would
purchase the wife's interest. During the years after the divorce, the wife regularly asked the
husband to make the purchase, but he regularly refused to do so. It was not until the husband
remarried in 1996 and began living with his new wife that he expressed any interest in
getting the home sold.
2
The home was sold on June 12, 1997, yielding net proceeds of $10,709.61. The
husband claims that he should receive all of the proceeds from the sale, because the wife has
an obligation to compensate the husband for one-half of the mortgage payments and repairs
he made on the property after the divorce. Since the husband made $50,000 in such
payments, the amount of contribution requested by the husband is greater than the wife's
share of the proceeds. The husband also argues that the net proceeds are partly separate
property. The wife submits that none of the husband's claims are well-taken.
ARGUMENT
I. THE HUSBAND IS NOT ENTITLED TO
CONTRIBUTION FOR HIS PAST MORTGAGE
PAYMENTS.
A. The Husband Actually Ousted The Wife From
Possession Of The Marital Residence.
The husband argues that he is legally entitled to contribution from the wife for his past
mortgage payments under Crawford v. Crawford, 293 Md. 307, 443 A.2d 599 (1982). But
Crawford contribution is not an absolute right of law; it is ins ...
In New York Divorce Law Adultery is considered one of the grounds for divorce. Adultery involves voluntary sexual relations between a married individual and someone other than their spouse. It can significantly impact divorce proceedings, affecting aspects such as spousal support and property division. Proof of adultery must be clear and convincing for it to be considered as a grounds for divorce.
Property settlement following marriage or relationship breakdownWilliam Sloan
Where parties have separated, there is legislation that sets out the approach to be taken in determining the appropriate alteration of property interests between them.
This guide provides an overview of that approach.
It is important to understand however, that each individual case is different.
Personal injury and divorce | by Ken Hoffman and Todd Warren | Mitchell Hoffm...Kenneth Hoffman
THE HISTORY, ANALYSIS & EVOLUTION OF THE STANDARD
TO BE APPLIED IN ILLINOIS
Divorce and personal injury, while separate and distinct areas of the law, share many
common traits:
• They often come unexpectedly and without warning;
• They have direct consequences to each spouse;
• They usually find each spouse unprepared on how to deal with the fallout;
• The timing of one can often cause the other; and
• They almost invariably result in the hiring of attorneys.
Illinois Courts have long struggled in determining which area of the law takes priority when these two worlds intersect. Questions that commonly arise include...
One of the great misunderstandings is how assets in trusts are dealt with in the Family Court. Are they excluded or are they in?
Asset pools in these cases can be significant, so before you suggest a particular asset-holding structure for a client, it’s important to know what the answer is.
In this webinar for Accountants we look at some case examples and cover the important questions, such as:
- How is property settlement determined?
- What is “property” and what is a “financial resource”?
- What power does the Family Court have to deal with Trusts?
- What, if anything, can be done to remove a Trust from the Court’s reach?
Note: prices shown in the video might not be reflective of our current prices. Please, refer to the website https://www.michaellynchfamilylawyers.com.au for updated information. Thank you.
A "File Trademark" is a legal term referring to the registration of a unique symbol, logo, or name used to identify and distinguish products or services. This process provides legal protection, granting exclusive rights to the trademark owner, and helps prevent unauthorized use by competitors.
Visit Now: https://www.tumblr.com/trademark-quick/751620857551634432/ensure-legal-protection-file-your-trademark-with?source=share
Guide on the use of Artificial Intelligence-based tools by lawyers and law fi...Massimo Talia
This guide aims to provide information on how lawyers will be able to use the opportunities provided by AI tools and how such tools could help the business processes of small firms. Its objective is to provide lawyers with some background to understand what they can and cannot realistically expect from these products. This guide aims to give a reference point for small law practices in the EU
against which they can evaluate those classes of AI applications that are probably the most relevant for them.
Responsibilities of the office bearers while registering multi-state cooperat...Finlaw Consultancy Pvt Ltd
Introduction-
The process of register multi-state cooperative society in India is governed by the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002. This process requires the office bearers to undertake several crucial responsibilities to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. The key office bearers typically include the President, Secretary, and Treasurer, along with other elected members of the managing committee. Their responsibilities encompass administrative, legal, and financial duties essential for the successful registration and operation of the society.
Car Accident Injury Do I Have a Case....Knowyourright
Every year, thousands of Minnesotans are injured in car accidents. These injuries can be severe – even life-changing. Under Minnesota law, you can pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Matthew Professional CV experienced Government LiaisonMattGardner52
As an experienced Government Liaison, I have demonstrated expertise in Corporate Governance. My skill set includes senior-level management in Contract Management, Legal Support, and Diplomatic Relations. I have also gained proficiency as a Corporate Liaison, utilizing my strong background in accounting, finance, and legal, with a Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from California State University. My Administrative Skills further strengthen my ability to contribute to the growth and success of any organization.
Lifting the Corporate Veil. Power Point Presentationseri bangash
"Lifting the Corporate Veil" is a legal concept that refers to the judicial act of disregarding the separate legal personality of a corporation or limited liability company (LLC). Normally, a corporation is considered a legal entity separate from its shareholders or members, meaning that the personal assets of shareholders or members are protected from the liabilities of the corporation. However, there are certain situations where courts may decide to "pierce" or "lift" the corporate veil, holding shareholders or members personally liable for the debts or actions of the corporation.
Here are some common scenarios in which courts might lift the corporate veil:
Fraud or Illegality: If shareholders or members use the corporate structure to perpetrate fraud, evade legal obligations, or engage in illegal activities, courts may disregard the corporate entity and hold those individuals personally liable.
Undercapitalization: If a corporation is formed with insufficient capital to conduct its intended business and meet its foreseeable liabilities, and this lack of capitalization results in harm to creditors or other parties, courts may lift the corporate veil to hold shareholders or members liable.
Failure to Observe Corporate Formalities: Corporations and LLCs are required to observe certain formalities, such as holding regular meetings, maintaining separate financial records, and avoiding commingling of personal and corporate assets. If these formalities are not observed and the corporate structure is used as a mere façade, courts may disregard the corporate entity.
Alter Ego: If there is such a unity of interest and ownership between the corporation and its shareholders or members that the separate personalities of the corporation and the individuals no longer exist, courts may treat the corporation as the alter ego of its owners and hold them personally liable.
Group Enterprises: In some cases, where multiple corporations are closely related or form part of a single economic unit, courts may pierce the corporate veil to achieve equity, particularly if one corporation's actions harm creditors or other stakeholders and the corporate structure is being used to shield culpable parties from liability.
Defending Weapons Offence Charges: Role of Mississauga Criminal Defence LawyersHarpreetSaini48
Discover how Mississauga criminal defence lawyers defend clients facing weapon offence charges with expert legal guidance and courtroom representation.
To know more visit: https://www.saini-law.com/
How to Obtain Permanent Residency in the NetherlandsBridgeWest.eu
You can rely on our assistance if you are ready to apply for permanent residency. Find out more at: https://immigration-netherlands.com/obtain-a-permanent-residence-permit-in-the-netherlands/.
2. › In determining the parties’ assets and liabilities, expended superannuation that has
occurred post-separation cannot be considered as a ‘notional property’ in determining the
total matrimonial asset pool. This, however, does not prevent the Court from making an
adjustment in a party’s favour pursuant to section 75(2)(o) of the Family Law Act 1975
(the ‘Act’) in relation to the premature disposal of the other party’s superannuation post-
separation, if it deems such adjustment appropriate.
› Relying on Kennon v Kennon [1997] FamCA 27; (1997) FLC 92-757, if claims of
persistent domestic violence by one party against another are raised and proven on the
facts, the Court will consider the effect of one party’s persistent domestic violence on the
ability of the other party to make both non-financial and financial contributions, so long
as:
› the conduct occurred during the course of the marriage; and
› had a discernible impact upon the contributions of the other party.
In Brief
3. › Even if one party has the benefit of residing in the parties’ matrimonial home, requiring the other
party to pay for rental accommodation, the Court may off-set the expense associated with
renting temporary accommodation where the other party bears the responsibility for the
payment of all rates and insurances and for the maintenance and upkeep of the property.
› Relying on the Full Court in the matter of AJO & GRO [2005] FamCA 195, “add backs” are
defined accordingly:
“To date, three clear categories of cases have emerged where the court has determined that
it is appropriate to notionally add back to the pool of assets, that is, assets that no longer
exist. They are:
(a) Where the parties have expended money on legal fees…
(b) Where there has been a premature distribution of matrimonial assets.
(c) In the circumstances outlined in Baker J in In the Marriage of Kowaliw (1981) 7 Fam LN
N13; (1981) FLC 91-092 at flc 76,644… (being those circumstances in which the Court
will take into account financial losses incurred by the parties or one of them in the
course of the marriage).
In Brief
4. › The dissipation of one party’s superannuation entitlements accumulated during the course
of the marriage is considered to be a premature distribution of what would otherwise have
been matrimonial property and is considered to be an “add-back” for the purpose of
arriving to a “just and equitable” decision.
› The husband and wife separated in 2002 after a 30 year marriage, during which, the wife
alleged that the husband was physically and emotionally violent to her and the parties’
three children over the course of the relationship including:
› daily arguments where the husband hit, punched, kicked and spit on the wife;
› the husband having complete control of the finances and the only money to which the
wife had access was that given to her by the husband;
› when one of the children was aged 15 years, she began to suffer depression and
would not go to school, and the husband removed her bedroom door;
Background
5. › the wife had a car accident and had to pay $400 in excess. As a result of having to pay the
excess, the husband refused to buy food for the wife and the children for a month
requiring the wife to go to the local church to ask for handouts;
› the husband put a steering lock on the car to prevent he wife from driving the family
vehicle.
› The husband was physically, emotionally and financially abusive towards the parties’ 3
children. For example:
› the parties’ eldest child suffered depression and was unable to attend school, the husband
locked the child in the backyard for the entire day and would not allow her into the house
to drink water or use the toilet;
› the husband locked one of the children out of the house all night;
› one incident where the husband burst into one of the daughters’ rooms while she was
changing her menstrual pad and dragged her half dressed out of her room and punched
her;
› the husband chose and bought all of the children’s clothing;
Background
6. › the husband hit the children including pinching, slapping or punching them if they did something
wrong;
› the husband did not refer to one of the children by name and instead called her selfish and stupid; and
› the husband was frequently violent towards all members of the family and when violent punched,
slapped, spat, kicked and dragged them by the hair and used implements such as the hard sole of his
shoes, his belts or anything else handy at the time to hit them.
› The husband denied the allegations of violence but conceded that:
› he did take the door off one of the children’s bedrooms;
› he did enforce limited access to the telephone in the home because of what he said were financial
difficulties;
› he did restrict the family’s access to television;
› there were some “regrettable incidents” in the husband’s words.
› The husband submitted that the wife failed to demonstrate a link between the alleged violence and her
claim that the violence made her contributions more arduous as the wife did not provide independent
medical or police evidence in support of her claim that the wife and the children had been subjected to
violence by the husband. The wife gave evidence that because of her fear of the husband and her shame
at being the victim of the husband’s violence, she did not disclose the violence to her family, to her treating
doctors or make any report to the police. The Court accepted the wife’s evidence in this regard.
Background
7. › The Wife achieved an 8% adjustment from the asset pool in relation to factors including
the expenditure of the superannuation (8% of the property was roughly equivalent to the
value of the superannuation) and 7% in relation to having endured severe incidents of
violence whilst contributing as a spouse within the marriage. This meant that she received
a total of 65% of the assets.
› Judge Bender accepted the evidence given by the wife and the parties’ 3 children in
relation to the violence suffered by them at the hands of the husband and commented at
paragraph 112 that:
“….The picture painted by all four members of the family was of them living in a
household where they were constantly on edge and in fear of the physical or
emotional violence that the husband would enact upon them without notice and
with a level of frequency that must have been horrific.”
Decision
8. › Judge Bender made a 7% adjustment for the wife’s non-financial contributions
because of the husband’s conduct. He said at paragraph 118 of his Judgment
that:
“Any violence perpetrated by one party against another is a very serious
matter, particularly when that violence takes place over a period of almost
thirty years. In the circumstances of this case I am satisfied that there
should be an adjustment in the wife’s favour as a result of her greater
non-financial contributions arising from the continuous violence to
which she and the children were subjected by the husband during the
course of the marriage [emphasis added]. That adjust in my view should
be 7%”
Decision
9. › The circumstances in which the Court will exercise its discretion to make adjustments
on contributions because of the conduct of one party impacting on the other party’s
contributions are rare and each case turns on its own facts.
› Where the court believe that one party’s asset (i.e. superannuation entitlements) have
been depleted post-separation, as a result of willful spending (i.e. gambling), the court
will have regard to the expenditure by one party of a joint asset of the parties when
determining the division of the parties’ assets.
› Domestic violence has an array of physical and psychological consequences, all of
which, the court should considered when ordering a division of property. To be
relevant, it would be necessary to show that the conduct occurred during the course of
the marriage and had a discernible impact upon the contributions of the other party, It
is not directed to conduct which does not have that effect and of necessity it does not
encompass conduct related to the breakdown of the marriage, basically because it
would not have had a sufficient duration for this to be relevant to contributions.
Austlii case link: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/FCCA/2014/1966.html
Implications