Patterson v. Chrysler Group, LLC, 845 F.3d 756 (6th Cir. 2017) Facts: A divorce decree awarded the wife an interest in the husband’s retirement and survivor benefits, expressly ordering him not to elect a survivor beneficiary other than the wife. The wife did not obtain a QDRO. Upon retirement, the…
Articles Posted in case analysis
Innocent Spouse Relief: Read Before Signing (Yancey v. Comm’r)
Yancey v. Comm’r, T.C. Memo. 2017-59, 2017 WL 1289451 (2017) Facts: A husband and wife filed joint returns. The returns were prepared by the wife. The returns understated the amount of tax due, mostly because they wrongly double-counted certain gambling losses incurred by the husband. The IRS assessed a deficiency.…
His & Hers: Equitable Distribution
Equitable Distribution, in a nutshell, is giving each party to a marriage what they are entitled regarding property acquired during the marriage. As one of the pillars of many divorce proceedings, it is commonly the most complex aspects, requiring extensive research into the lives of individuals going through a divorce. …
The Third and a Half Wheel: Divisible Property (Daly v. Daly)
The two big classifications of property in all equitable distribution cases are “marital” and “separate” property. These are the ones the get all the attention and are subject to some of the most intense scrutiny and debate; however, there is a third area of property that is equally as important…
Heart Balm Torts: Playing Doctor and Nurse (Malecek v. Williams 2017)
By Carolyn J. Woodruff, North Carolina Family Law SpecialistWinston Salem, North Carolina: Malecek v. Williams (2017) Derek Williams is a Forsyth County doctor who had an affair apparently, or at least allegedly, with his nurse. Playing doctor-nurse games got them in trouble with the nurse’s husband, Marc Malecek. The nurse’s then-husband Marc sued Derek for alienation of affection…
Cross-Appeals: Timing is Everything (Slaughter v. Slaughter)
Jennifer A. Crissman, AttorneyTiming, as they say, is everything, and if you are appealing an Order in North Carolina, this is particularly true. Slaughter v. Slaughter, No. COA16-1153 was decided by the North Carolina Court of Appeals on July 18, 2017. While there were multiple issues on appeal, the issue that sticks out…
“To Pay or Not to Pay” (New v. New)
At the heart of many family law related disputes lie arguably the most difficult decisions regarding the children and their futures. At times it may seem unlikely that individuals in the midst of a divorce will ever agree on anything; fortunately, ensuring that any children involved receive a quality education…
Permanent vs. Temporary Custody Orders on Appellate Review (King v. Giannini-King)
King v. Giannini-King, 784 S.E.2d 237 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). Facts: In October 2001, Plaintiff (father) and Defendant (mother) were married and then separated, about seven years later, in early June 2008. Two minor children were born to the parties’ marriage. After the separation, Defendant relocated with the minor children.…
No Second Guessing the Evidentiary Supported Value of Marital Property (Chafin v. Chafin)
Sade Knox, InternChafin v. Chafin, 791 S.E.2d 693 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016) Facts: In late 1988, Plaintiff and Defendant entered into a marriage that lasted about twenty years before the parties separated in June of 2008. During the years of the marriage, Defendant was an owner of a close to non-profiting auto-sales…
Separations and Void Modifications (Kelley v. Kelley)
Sade Knox, InternKelley v. Kelley, T.C. Memo. 2017-798, 2017 WL 1251018 Facts: Husband and wife were married in 1982. They later entered into a Separation and Property Settlement Agreement upon their separation in 1994 (the “1994 agreement”). The two later divorced in 1999. The 1994 agreement resolved several issues between the two…