Beals v. Beals , 2013 Alas. LEXIS 82 ( 2013 )

Notice: This opinion is subject to correction before publication in the P ACIFIC R EPORTER .
Readers are requested to bring errors to the attention of the Clerk of the Appellate Courts,
303 K Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99501, phone (907) 264-0608, fax (907) 264-0878, email
corrections@appellate.courts.state.ak.us.
THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
PATRICIA A. BEALS, )
) Supreme Court No. S-14688
Appellant, )
) Superior Court No. 3AN-08-12700 CI
v. )
) OPINION
MARK L. BEALS, )
) No. 6789 – June 28, 2013
Appellee. )
)
Appeal from the Superior Court of the State of Alaska, Third
Judicial District, Anchorage, Eric A. Aarseth, Judge.
Appearances: Jacob A. Sonneborn, Ashburn & Mason, P.C.,
Anchorage, for Appellant. Shana Theiler, Walton, Theiler &
Winegarden, LLC, Kenai, for Appellee.
Before: Fabe, Chief Justice, Winfree, Stowers, Maassen, and
Bolger, Justices.
FABE, Chief Justice.
I. INTRODUCTION
Patricia Beals challenges the superior court’s property division in a divorce
case. Patricia argues that the superior court incorrectly characterized as separate property
a lot that she and her former husband, Mark Beals, jointly purchased with cash obtained
from refinancing their marital home, which Mark had owned before their marriage.
Patricia also contends that the superior court erroneously valued the mortgage on their
marital home as of the time of separation rather than the time of trial. Because the entire
value of the jointly titled lot should have been characterized as marital property and
because the home equity should have been valued as of the time of trial, we reverse.
II. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS
Patricia and Mark Beals married in November 2000 and permanently
separated in November 2008. They divorced in 2011. Mark had children from a
previous relationship, and together Mark and Patricia had two children.1 The superior
court issued its findings of fact and conclusions of law concerning the division of
property in February 2012.2 Patricia filed a motion to reconsider, which the superior
court denied. This appeal followed.
A. The 534 Second Avenue Home And 528 Second Avenue Lot
When Patricia and Mark married, Mark already owned a house at
534 Second Avenue in Seward. They lived there together for their first six years of
marriage. In 2001, about one year after their marriage, Mark and Patricia refinanced the
534 Second Avenue home and placed the title and mortgage in both of their names.
From the refinancing, they converted $42,092 of equity to cash. They used this cash to
buy the adjacent lot at 528 Second Avenue, again placing the title in both of their names.
After the refinance, both Patricia and Mark contributed to the mortgage
payments for their 534 Second Avenue home. Until 2006, when they bought another
home, Patricia and Mark continued to live in the house at 534 Second Avenue. The
parties agree that the 534 Second Avenue residence transmuted into marital property.
1
No custody or support issues are raised on appeal.
2
The superior court bifurcated the divorce and property division. The
divorce decree became effective on November 17, 2011. The superior court held a trial
for the division of the marital estate in January 2012 and decided the final property
division in February 2012.
-2- 6789
Patricia filed for divorce in 2008. Trial was held on November 9 and 17,
2011 and January 19, 2012 before Superior Court Judge Eric A. Aarseth. Patricia was
represented by counsel and Mark represented himself.
At trial, Mark testified about refinancing the marital home and described
the parties’ “conscious decision” to use the cash they received from the financing “to
jointly . . . purchase the [adjacent] Second Avenue [lot].” He also explained that “we
wanted the piece of property next door” and “[w]e used the equity [from the home] to
buy this Second Avenue lot.”
In February 2012 the superior court issued a decision dividing the marital
property equally and ordering Mark to pay an equalization payment of $80,172.17.3 The
superior court found that “Mark came to the marriage with assets and Patty came to the
marriage with debt.” “[B]ased on the comparison of their incomes, retirements and non-
marital assets,” the superior court also found that “both parties were equally situated” at
the end of the marriage. Accordingly, the superior court decided their situation
warranted the presumed even distribution of the marital estate.4
Patricia argued at trial that the proceeds from the refinance of the marital
home at 534 Second Avenue were marital. The superior court, however, concluded that
these proceeds were Mark’s separate property, reasoning that most of the Second Avenue
3
In the superior court’s decision, the equalization payment is $80,172.17, but
the spreadsheet attached to the decision lists the payment as $82,497.17.
4
See AS 25.24.160(a)(4); Green v. Green, 29 P.3d 854, 860 (Alaska 2001)
(“An equal division of the marital property is presumptively valid.” (citing Brooks v.
Brooks, 733 P.2d 1044, 1058 (Alaska 1987))); Sampson v. Sampson, 14 P.3d 272, 277
(Alaska 2000) (“An equal division of the marital property is presumed to be equitable.”
(citing Nicholson v. Wolfe, 974 P.2d 417, 422 (Alaska 1999))).
-3- 6789
home remained separate property because Patricia and Mark had only lived there for one
year before they refinanced. The superior court further reasoned:
Mark had approximately $71,000 in equity in the 534
2nd Avenue residence in November 2001 when he, along
with Patty refinanced the home to convert a portion of that
equity into cash. The parties married in November 2000
therefore a small portion of that $71,000 was likely marital as
some small portion [o]f the mortgage had been paid with
marital funds. . . . [T]he unpaid balance changed by $2079
over a six month period of time. That represents a growth
rate in equity of approximately $346.50 per month. At the
time of the refinance, the Beals[es] had been married 12
months, therefore approximately $4158 (346.50 x 12) of the
$71,000 was marital equity leaving the remaining $66,842 as
non-marital equity.
The Beals[es] converted $42,092 of the equity into
cash . . . . The remaining equity remained in the home which
was the marital house and now financed by a marital debt
(the new mortgage was the joint responsibility of the
Beals[es]).
The superior court decided that “Mark is entitled to claim the $42,092 [from the
refinance of the home] as a non-marital asset as it can easily be tracked and separated
from the marital assets.” Because marital debt financed the new mortgage, the superior
court treated the remaining equity in the home as marital. Thus, while recognizing that
the 534 Second Avenue home had become marital property, the superior court viewed
the equity from that home that was invested in the 528 Second Avenue lot as Mark’s
separate asset. The superior court ultimately valued the lot at $45,000, treating $42,092
of the lot as Mark’s separate property, and the remaining $2,908 as marital property.
Patricia moved for reconsideration. In its order denying reconsideration,
the superior court reasoned that “[t]he pre-marital equity in the 534 2nd Ave[nue home]
-4- 6789
was readily identifiable and separable from the marital estate. There was no need to treat
it any differently than if the funds were in a pre-marital IRA.”
B. The Orlander Avenue Home
In 2006 Patricia and Mark sold the 534 Second Avenue home and used the
revenue to buy a new house at 33946 Orlander Avenue together. After taking the
mortgage and title to the Orlander home in both of their names, they lived together and
raised their children there for about two years. The parties acknowledge that the
Orlander home is part of the marital estate. On appeal, the parties dispute whether the
superior court erred by valuing the home at the time of separation instead of the time of
trial.
After Mark and Patricia separated, the Orlander home was appraised at
$280,0005 and the mortgage loan amount was $193,768. During the three years between
the date of separation and trial, Mark lived in the home and paid monthly mortgage
payments of around $2,100. Patricia testified that Mark excluded her from the Orlander
home and she rented a separate residence during these three years. By November 2011,
the time of trial, the home’s mortgage had decreased from $193,768 to $156,651.50 due
to Mark’s payments.
At trial, Patricia asked the court to determine the net equity of the Orlander
home by valuing the amount of the mortgage loan at the time of trial, not the time of
separation. The superior court declined to adopt this approach, reasoning: “[Mark] used
post-separation income to create equity and should be able to benefit from that
investment. Further, the market is flat so he will not enjoy any windfall due to a rise in
value that is not accounted for in the final tally.”
5
Relying on this 2009 appraisal and testimony about the need for home
repairs, the superior court estimated the home value at $270,000.
-5- 6789
In her motion for reconsideration, Patricia argued that the superior court
improperly valued the Orlander home at the time of separation. The superior court
denied that motion, stating that “[a]fter separation, Ms. Beals could have purchased a
home and paid toward equity and not rent.” Reasoning that “[t]he value of the home at
separation and at trial are the same” the superior court concluded that “[t]he only change
in the value was the mortgage and that was paid with post-separation income.”
On appeal, Patricia challenges the classification of the 528 Second Avenue
lot as separate property and the home mortgage valuation.
III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
There are three basic steps in the equitable division of marital assets: (1)
deciding what specific property is available for distribution, (2) finding the value of the
property, and (3) dividing the property equitably.6 This appeal involves the first two
steps.
We take this opportunity to clarify the correct standard of review for
characterizing property as either marital or separate.7 In the first step, “[t]he
6
See Doyle v. Doyle, 815 P.2d 366, 368 (Alaska 1991) (citing Moffitt v.
Moffitt, 749 P.2d 343, 346 (Alaska 1988)); Wanberg v. Wanberg, 664 P.2d 568, 570
(Alaska 1983).
7
Our past decisions involving the first step in the equitable division of
property have described inconsistently the correct standard of review. Compare Odom
v. Odom, 141 P.3d 324, 330 (Alaska 2006) (“The characterization of property as separate
or marital may involve both legal and factual questions.” (citing Martin v. Martin, 52
P.3d 724, 726 (Alaska 2002))), Cox v. Cox, 882 P.2d 909, 913 (Alaska 1994) (same),
and Moffitt, 749 P.2d at 346 (“Step one — determining what property is available for
distribution — is reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard, although it may
involve legal determinations to which this court applies its independent judgment.”
(citing Wanberg, 664 P.2d at 570)), with Carr v. Carr, 152 P.3d 450, 454 (Alaska 2007)
(“We review a trial court’s decision to classify property as marital only for abuse of
(continued...)
-6- 6789
characterization of property as separate or marital may involve both legal and factual
questions.”8 Underlying factual findings as to the parties’ intent, actions, and
contributions to the marital estate are factual questions.9 “Findings of fact are reviewed
for clear error, but whether the trial court applied the correct legal rule in exercising its
discretion is a question of law that we review de novo using our independent
judgment.”10 The second step, valuation of assets, is a factual determination that we
review for clear error.11 We review the trial court’s third step, the equitable allocation
of property, for an abuse of discretion.12
“Additionally, the trial court must render findings of ultimate fact that
support any decreed property division; the findings must be explicit and sufficiently
detailed to give this court a clear understanding of the basis of the trial court’s
7
(...continued)
discretion; and we review the court’s underlying factual findings only for clear error.”
(citations omitted)), Krize v. Krize, 145 P.3d 481, 484 (Alaska 2006) (reviewing the
characterization of property under the abuse of discretion standard), and Sampson, 14
P.3d at 275 (“Property divisions require a three-step process . . . . These steps are
reviewed under the abuse of discretion standard . . . .” (citations omitted)).
8
Odom, 141 P.3d at 330 (citing Martin, 52 P.3d at 726); see also Cox, 882
P.2d at 913; Moffitt, 749 P.2d at 346 (citing Wanberg, 664 P.2d at 570).
9
See Odom, 141 P.3d at 330 (citing Martin, 52 P.3d at 726); Doyle, 815 P.2d
at 368 (citing Moffitt, 749 P.2d at 346).
10
Hanson v. Hanson, 125 P.3d 299, 304 (Alaska 2005) (quoting Schmitz v.
Schmitz, 88 P.3d 1116, 1122 (Alaska 2004)); see also Odom, 141 P.3d at 330 (citing
Martin, 52 P.3d at 726); Doyle, 815 P.2d at 368 (citing Moffitt, 749 P.2d at 346).
11
See Doyle, 815 P.2d at 368; Rodriguez v. Rodriguez, 908 P.2d 1007, 1012
n.6 (Alaska 1995) (citing Thomas v. Thomas, 815 P.2d 374, 375 (Alaska 1991)).
12
See Doyle, 815 P.2d at 368 (citing Moffitt, 749 P.2d at 346).
-7- 6789
decision.”13 Whether a superior court’s findings are sufficiently clear is a legal question,
which we review de novo.14
IV. DISCUSSION
A. The Characterization Of The 528 Second Avenue Lot Was Incorrect.
The superior court’s characterization of property owned by the parties to
a divorce as marital or separate is the first step in the equitable division of property.15
Here, the superior court characterized $42,092 of the $45,000 value of the 528 Second
Avenue lot as Mark’s separate property because the assets used to buy the lot “can easily
be tracked and separated from the marital assets.”
Patricia appeals that determination and argues that the equity in the marital
home at 534 Second Avenue transmuted entirely into marital property. Accordingly, she
claims, the superior court should have determined that the $42,092 from refinancing the
marital home was also marital property. In addition, she points out that Mark did not
overcome the presumption that jointly held property is marital because “there is no
evidence that Mark ever intended to keep this property separate.” We agree that it was
error to treat the jointly held lot as separate property.
The superior court found that “the intent of the parties was to treat 534 2nd
Avenue as the marital home along with the equity and debt as part of the marital estate”
and that Mark and Patricia “refinanced their home to convert a portion of that equity into
cash.” The superior court’s decision that the home was marital property is supported by
the factual record and is consistent with our case law holding that “[f]actors relevant in
determining the parties’ intent regarding real property include: ‘(1) the use of property
13
Id. (citations omitted).
14
Miller v. Miller, 105 P.3d 1136, 1140 (Alaska 2005) (footnote omitted).
15
Odom, 141 P.3d at 332.
-8- 6789
as the parties’ personal residence; (2) the ongoing maintenance and management of the
property by both parties; (3) placing title in joint ownership; and (4) using the credit of
the non-titled owner to improve the property.’ ”16 Patricia and Mark lived in the home
as their family residence. Patricia claims that they jointly managed the home. Finally,
after residing there together for one year, they placed the title in joint ownership and used
Patricia’s credit in the refinancing. As a result, the superior court correctly concluded
that the Second Avenue home had transmuted into marital property.
“Transmutation occurs when married parties intend to make a spouse’s
separate property marital and their conduct during marriage demonstrates that intent.”17
An owner’s intent may be illustrated through words and actions.18 And once
transmutation occurs, an asset is converted “entirely from separate to marital.”19 As the
16
Hanson v. Hanson, 125 P.3d 299, 307 (Alaska 2005) (quoting Green v.
Green, 29 P.3d 854, 858 (Alaska 2001)); see Matson v. Lewis, 755 P.2d 1126, 1128
(Alaska 1988) (affirming decision to treat jointly held parcels as marital property even
though the wife had paid the down payment with her premarital assets); Carlson v.
Carlson, 722 P.2d 222, 224-25 (Alaska 1986) (treating a four-plex as marital property
even though the husband paid the down payment with his separate property because the
parties had demonstrated an intent to jointly hold the building); see also Lewis v. Lewis,
785 P.2d 550, 555 (Alaska 1990) (holding that jointly held stocks acquired with
premarital assets were marital property when there was no evidence that the husband
intended to keep the shares as his separate property).
17
Odom, 141 P.3d at 332 (quoting Harrower v. Harrower, 71 P.3d 854, 857
(Alaska 2003)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
18
Hansen v. Hansen, 119 P.3d 1005, 1013 (Alaska 2005) (citing Green, 29
P.3d at 857).
19
Miller, 105 P.3d at 1141 (citing Harrower, 71 P.3d at 857-58); see also
Heustess v. Kelley-Heustess, 158 P.3d 827, 831 (Alaska 2007) (“We have repeatedly
indicated that transmutation of real estate converts the entire property from separate to
marital in character.”).
-9- 6789
superior court correctly concluded, Mark and Patricia’s Second Avenue home
transmuted into marital property. Thus, when the parties refinanced their home, which
was a marital asset, the funds that they received from the refinance were in turn marital
funds.
Moreover, Patricia and Mark used the marital funds that they received from
the refinance to buy a lot that was titled in both of their names. We have held that
“placing separate property in joint ownership is rebuttable evidence that the owner
intended the property to be marital.”20
Generally, “all assets acquired by the parties during their marriage are
marital property” except for gifts and inheritances.21 Our rule is supported by authority
from other jurisdictions: “The joint title gift presumption is presently recognized in a
majority of American jurisdictions.”22 And “[w]here this presumption applies, property
transferred into joint title is presumed to be a gift to the marital estate, and the burden of
proof is on the party who seeks to show that a gift was not intended.”23 Here, Mark
failed to rebut this presumption because Mark presented no evidence of an intent to keep
20
Schmitz v. Schmitz, 88 P.3d 1116, 1128 (Alaska 2004) (citations omitted);
Chotiner v. Chotiner, 829 P.2d 829, 833 (Alaska 1992) (citing Lewis, 785 P.2d at 555);
see also Miller, 105 P.3d at 1142 (“There is a strong presumption that placing separate
property into a joint account demonstrates an intent to treat the property as marital.”
(citing Brown v. Brown, 947 P.2d 307, 311 (Alaska 1997))); Johns v. Johns, 945 P.2d
1222, 1225 (Alaska 1997) (jointly held fishing boat was marital property despite
husband’s contributions of premarital assets to the boat purchase).
21
Johns, 945 P.2d at 1225 (citing Lundquist v. Lundquist, 923 P.2d 42, 47
(Alaska 1996)).
22
1 BRETT R. TURNER , EQUITABLE D ISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY § 5:43, at 476
(3d ed. 2005) (footnote omitted).
23
Id.
-10- 6789
the property separate. Therefore, it was error to treat $42,092 of the jointly titled lot,
which the parties acquired during marriage, as Mark’s separate property.
Mark points out that the superior court found that he “was entitled to claim
the $42,092 as a non-marital asset as it could easily be tracked and separated from the
marital assets.” Tracing the source of assets may be appropriate in unusual cases such
as when the marriage is of short-term duration and the spouses did not commingle their
assets.24 In Rose v. Rose, we stated that “in marriages of short duration, where there has
been no significant commingling of assets between the parties,” the superior court may
trace the parties’ assets and place the parties in the financial position they would have
been without the marriage.25
But tracing the source of the asset was not appropriate in this case. There
is a clear presumption that jointly held assets are marital, and tracing can only take place
“[i]f evidence is presented that is sufficient to overcome this presumption.”26 Here the
parties were married for eight years before separation. And not only did they commingle
their assets, they also placed the lot in question in both of their names after using a
marital asset to purchase it. Because the entire marital home transmuted to marital
property, and because Mark failed to rebut the presumption that the jointly titled lot was
marital, we conclude it was error to treat most of the lot’s value as Mark’s separate
property.
24
See Rose v. Rose, 755 P.2d 1121, 1125 (Alaska 1988) (affirming the
superior court’s tracing of assets in property division after 18-month marriage during
which parties did not commingle their assets).
25
Id.
26
Schmitz, 88 P.3d at 1128.
-11- 6789
According to Mark, even if the superior court erred, any error was harmless
because “the ultimate result . . . fulfills the lower court’s obligation to fairly allocate the
economic effect of divorce, and Patty has made no showing to the contrary.” But Mark’s
harmless error argument has little merit. The superior court expressly found that an even
distribution was just under the circumstances because the parties’ “financial standing[s]
both currently and prospectively are relatively equal.” Once the superior court found that
the home was marital property and that an even distribution was appropriate,
mischaracterization of the lot cannot be framed as a proper unequal distribution of
property.
Because Patricia and Mark refinanced and jointly titled their marital home,
cash proceeds of the refinance were also marital property. Patricia and Mark then used
these marital proceeds to buy a lot, which was itself jointly titled. There was no evidence
of intent to maintain the property as separate, so the lot was a marital asset. We therefore
conclude that it was error to treat the $42,092 of the 528 Second Avenue lot as Mark’s
separate property.
B. The Orlander Avenue Home’s Equity Was Incorrectly Valued.
1. It was error to value the Orlander Avenue home at the time of
separation.
Patricia argues that the trial court incorrectly determined the parties’ equity
in the Orlander Avenue home because it should have valued the mortgage on the home
at the time of trial rather than the time of separation. Property valuation is the second
step in the equitable division of property.27 In valuing the mortgage debt remaining on
the Orlander Avenue marital home at the time of separation, rather than trial, the superior
court reasoned that Mark “used post-separation income to create equity and should be
27
E.g., Wanberg v. Wanberg, 664 P.2d 568, 570 (Alaska 1983).
-12- 6789
able to benefit from the investment.” The superior court also explained that “the market
is flat so he will not enjoy any windfall due to a rise in value that is not accounted for in
the final tally.” On reconsideration, the superior court further reasoned that Patricia
“could have purchased a home and paid toward equity and not rent.” Patricia appeals,
arguing that the superior court should have valued the home mortgage at the time of trial,
rather than at the time of separation. We agree with Patricia because valuation at the
time of trial provides the most accurate information.28
Alaska Statute 25.24.160(a)(4)(I) directs the superior court to consider,
among other factors,“the value of the property at the time of division.”29 We made clear
in Ogard v. Ogard that the date on which the superior court values marital property
generally “should be as close as practicable to the date of trial.”30 Valuing property at
the time of trial uses the most current and accurate information, thereby avoiding unfair
results.31 But “[i]n special situations, the trial court may value property as of the date of
28
See Ogard v. Ogard, 808 P.2d 815, 819 (Alaska 1991) (concluding that
valuation at the time of trial, the end of the joint marital effort, provides the most current
and accurate information).
29
AS 25.24.160(a)(4)(I); see also Lewis v. Lewis, 785 P.2d 550, 555 (Alaska
1990) (holding that shares of jointly held stock were marital even though husband
acquired stock with his premarital assets); cf. Laing v. Laing, 741 P.2d 649, 656 (Alaska
1987) (treating both vested and nonvested pensions as marital property); Wanberg, 664
P.2d at 573-74 (treating entire equitable value of townhouse bought after marriage as
subject to equitable distribution rather than just appreciated value).
30
808 P.2d at 819; see also Stevens v. Stevens, 265 P.3d 279, 284-85 (Alaska
2011) (citing Ogard, 808 P.2d at 819); Heustess v. Kelley-Heustess, 158 P.3d 827, 832
(Alaska 2007) (holding that it was error to value the marital house at the time of
separation, rather than the time of trial, though superior court stated three “unpersuasive”
reasons for valuing at the time of separation).
31
Ogard, 808 P.2d at 819 (quoting L. G OLDEN , EQUITABLE D ISTRIBUTION OF
(continued...)
-13- 6789
separation of the parties.”32 The exceptions to the Ogard rule are limited: We have
approved exceptions when one spouse dissipates assets or purposefully allows the value
to decline during separation 33 or when the value of marital property has risen due to the
efforts of only one spouse.34 Occasionally, we have approved an earlier valuation date
when a later valuation date was less reliable.35 But the “reliability” cases are not “true
exceptions to the principles of accuracy underlying Ogard because in these cases the
more accurate valuation was the earlier one.”36 Additionally, we have held that the
superior court’s use of an earlier date was not reversible error when the parties did not
present evidence of a later valuation37 or object to the use of the earlier date.38 When a
trial court finds that an exception to the Ogard rule applies, it must make “specific
findings as to why the date of separation is the more appropriate choice for valuation.”39
31
(...continued)
PROPERTY § 7.01, at 207 (1983)).
32
Doyle v. Doyle, 815 P.2d 366, 369 (Alaska 1991) (citing Ogard, 808 P.2d
at 820).
33
E.g., Foster v. Foster, 883 P.2d 397, 399-400 (Alaska 1994); Ogard, 808
P.2d at 820.
34
Ogard, 808 P.2d at 820.
35
Stevens, 265 P.3d at 286 (citing Henderson v. Henderson, Mem. Op. & J.
No. 1075, 2002 WL 844717, at *1-2 (Alaska, May 1, 2002)).
36
Id.
37
See Brotherton v. Brotherton, 941 P.2d 1241, 1245 (Alaska 1997).
38
See Odom v. Odom, 141 P.3d 324, 336 n.48 (Alaska 2006).
39
Doyle v. Doyle, 815 P.2d 366, 369 (Alaska 1991) (quoting Ogard, 808 P.2d
at 820) (internal quotation marks omitted).
-14- 6789
Mark claims that the superior court correctly valued the mortgage at the
date of separation and made sufficient findings to warrant an exception. Mark contends
that because he paid mortgage payments with his post-separation income and because
the Seward real estate market was flat, the superior court did not err in departing from
the Ogard rule.
But post-separation mortgage payments to maintain marital property are
common and do not qualify as unusual circumstances.40 Parties to a divorce frequently
make post-separation payments to preserve the marital estate,41 and the proper time to
value the equity of the home is still the time of trial.42 For example, in Rodriguez v.
Rodriguez, the superior court properly valued the marital home at the time of trial.43 On
appeal, the husband argued that the superior court should instead have valued the home
40
See Rodriguez v. Rodriguez, 908 P.2d 1007, 1012-13 (Alaska 1995)
(valuing the home at the time of trial and addressing post-separation mortgage payments
as a possible credit).
41
See Dodson v. Dodson, 955 P.2d 902, 912 (Alaska 1998) (holding that it
was not an abuse of discretion to deny husband a credit for post-separation mortgage
payments he made to maintain the marital estate before entry of the divorce decree);
Harrelson v. Harrelson, 932 P.2d 247, 253 (Alaska 1997) (concluding that the superior
court did not abuse its discretion by denying credit for post-separation house payments
even though other spouse had exclusive possession of the house during the separation);
Rodriguez, 908 P.2d at 1013 (holding that while payment of rental value for use of the
marital home may be required in some cases, trial courts have discretion whether to give
credit for post-separation payments to maintain marital property); Ramsey v. Ramsey,
834 P.2d 807, 809 (Alaska 1992) (“[T]he fact that one party has made payments from
non-marital income to preserve marital property should be considered as one of the
circumstances to be weighed by the trial court in dividing the marital property.”).
42
See Rodriguez, 908 P.2d at 1013; Ogard, 808 P.2d at 819; see also Stevens
v. Stevens, 265 P.3d 279, 285 (Alaska 2011) (citing Ogard, 808 P.2d at 819); Heustess
v. Kelley-Heustess, 158 P.3d 827, 832 (Alaska 2007).
43
908 P.2d at 1012-13.
-15- 6789
at the time of separation because his post-separation mortgage payments alone increased
the value of the marital home.44 But because post-separation mortgage payments did not
justify divergence from the Ogard rule, we held that the superior court properly valued
the home at the time of trial.45 We emphasize that in almost all cases, valuing marital
assets and debts at the time of trial is the most equitable approach because it provides the
most accurate financial information.46 Post-separation mortgage payments are common
and thus will not ordinarily provide an exception to the Ogard rule.47 As we discuss
below and have held many times in the past, the appropriate method to account for post-
separation payments to maintain marital property is to consider a credit in the third step
of the property division.48 We conclude, therefore, that the Orlander Avenue mortgage
44
Id.
45
Id.
46
See Heustess, 158 P.3d at 833 & n.14 (citations omitted); Rodriguez, 908
P.2d at 1012-13; see also Ramsey v. Ramsey, 834 P.2d 807, 809 (Alaska 1992) (citation
omitted); Doyle v. Doyle, 815 P.2d 366, 369 (Alaska 1991) (citation omitted); Ogard,
808 P.2d at 819 (citations omitted); 2 BRETT R. TURNER , EQUITABLE D ISTRIBUTION OF
PROPERTY § 7.4, at 621 (3d ed. 2005).
47
See Heustess, 158 P.3d at 833 & n.14 (citations omitted); Rodriguez, 908
P.2d at 1012-13; Ogard, 808 P.2d at 819; see also cases cited supra note 41. To the
extent that our decision in Brown v. Brown suggests otherwise, it is incorrect. See Brown
v. Brown, 914 P.2d 206, 208 (Alaska 1996).
48
See, e.g., Partridge v. Partridge, 239 P.3d 680, 691 (Alaska 2010)
(concluding that the superior court should have considered crediting husband for post-
separation debt payments from separate property in the property division); Haines v.
Cox, 182 P.3d 1140, 1145 n.21 (Alaska 2008) (“ ‘[T]he fact that one party has made
payments from non-marital income to preserve marital property should be considered as
one of the circumstances to be weighed by the trial court in dividing the marital
property.’ ” (quoting Ramsey, 834 P.2d at 809)); Heustess, 158 P.3d at 833 & n.14;
(continued...)
-16- 6789
should have been valued at the time of trial in accordance with our rule.49
In sum, Mark’s post-separation payments do not merit diverging from our
rule that ordinarily “the date of valuation . . . should be as close as practicable to the date
of trial.”50 Because post-separation mortgage payments do not justify an earlier valuation
date, we reverse and remand for revaluation of the home mortgage.
2. The superior court may grant a credit for post-separation
mortgage payments to maintain marital property, but any
credit is to be considered in the final step of property division.
Once the superior court has determined the value of the marital property,
contributions made from post-separation income are to be considered during the final
division of property.51 But even where contributions are made from post-separation
48
(...continued)
Edelman v. Edelman, 3 P.3d 348, 354 (Alaska 2000); Dodson v. Dodson, 955 P.2d 902,
912 (Alaska 1998); Harrelson v. Harrelson, 932 P.2d 247, 253 (Alaska 1997); Cox v.
Cox, 882 P.2d 909, 919-20 (Alaska 1994); Ramsey, 834 P.2d at 809 (citations omitted)
(holding that in the final property division, courts should consider a credit for payments
made from post-separation income to maintain marital property).
49
Mark also argues that the superior court did not err in departing from the
Ogard rule because the Seward real estate market was flat. But even if the market was
generally flat, as the superior court found, there may still have been some appreciation
in value during the three years that Mark lived in the home during separation. If so, that
change must also be taken into account.
50
Ogard, 808 P.2d at 819; see also Compton v. Compton, 902 P.2d 805, 812
n.9 (Alaska 1995) (citing Moffitt v. Moffitt, 813 P.2d 674, 678 (Alaska 1991)); Ramsey,
834 P.2d at 809 (quoting Ogard, 808 P.2d at 819).
51
See, e.g., Ramsey, 834 P.2d at 809 (trial courts may credit a spouse for
contributions from post-separation income in the final property division); Doyle, 815
P.2d at 369 n.5; see also Chotiner v. Chotiner, 829 P.2d 829, 835 (Alaska 1992) (quoting
Laing v. Laing, 741 P.2d 649, 654 (Alaska 1987)) (recognizing that the superior court
may consider, at the time of division, a spouse’s contribution of substantial separate
(continued...)
-17- 6789
property to maintain marital property, the superior court need not grant dollar-for-dollar
credit.52
At the same time, the superior court should consider “whether any such
credits should be offset by the value of the benefit of [the spouse’s] post-separation
occupancy of the house.”53 Where the use of marital property during separation
effectively excludes the other spouse, the trial court should consider whether the marital
estate should receive payment for the fair market rental value of the property.54 In
Rodriguez v. Rodriguez, we held that “the superior court did not abuse its discretion in
ruling that [the husband] was not entitled to a credit for any post-separation payments he
made on the parties’ home.”55 We reasoned that “any benefit which he may have
imparted to the marital estate was offset by the benefit he received from the estate by
living rent-free.”56 Thus, we affirmed the trial court’s determination that the husband in
Rodriguez was not entitled to reimbursement for his post-separation mortgage payments
51
(...continued)
property to the marriage).
52
See Ramsey, 834 P.2d at 809 (stating that there is “no fixed rule requiring
credit in all cases” and that payments from separate income should be considered as one
of the circumstances to be weighed by the trial court in dividing the marital estate).
53
Heustess, 158 P.3d at 833 (footnote omitted); see also Carr v. Carr, 152
P.3d 450, 454 (Alaska 2007) (“The superior court may impute the rental value of one
party’s exclusive use of the marital residence after separation to that party when it
equitably divides the marital estate between the parties.” (citation omitted)).
54
See Heustess, 158 P.3d at 833 & n.14 (citations omitted); Rodriguez v.
Rodriguez, 908 P.2d 1007, 1013 (Alaska 1995) (citing Wood v. Collins, 812 P.2d 951,
958 (Alaska 1991)).
55
908 P.2d at 1013.
56
Id.
-18- 6789
because he had lived in the home after separation and therefore a credit would have given
an unfair benefit to the husband.57
A trial court should therefore “consider payments made to maintain marital
property from post-separation income when dividing marital property” and whether such
a credit should be offset by the value of the benefit of post-separation use of the home.58
There is no requirement that a trial court give credit for the post-separation payments in
all cases.59
Here, the superior court valued the mortgage at the time of separation in
order to credit Mark for the post-separation mortgage payments. Although we have held
that trial courts should consider payments made to maintain marital property from post-
separation income in the property division, the appropriate time to consider a credit for
payments is in the third step — the final division of property.60
The superior court also failed to address the benefit to Mark of living in the
marital home during separation. Patricia points out that she was “excluded from the
home and forced to pay rent from her post-separation earnings.” On remand, the
superior court should consider both whether Mark should be given credit for post-
separation mortgage payments he made from separate property and whether any such
57
See id.
58
Id. (quoting Ramsey v. Ramsey, 834 P.2d 807, 809 (Alaska 1992)) (internal
quotation marks omitted); see Heustess, 158 P.3d at 833.
59
See Rodriguez, 908 P.2d at 1013.
60
See, e.g., Ramsey, 834 P.2d at 809 (stating trial courts have authority to
credit a spouse in the final property division for payments made from post-separation
income to maintain marital property); Doyle v. Doyle, 815 P.2d 366, 369 n.5 (Alaska
1991).
-19- 6789
credits should be offset by the value of the benefit of his post-separation occupancy of
the marital home.61, 62
V. CONCLUSION
Because the superior court improperly treated the jointly held 528 Second
Avenue lot as Mark’s separate property, we REVERSE that decision. The lot is marital
property and should be divided in the equitable division of the marital estate. Since it
was error to value the Orlander Avenue home equity at the time of separation, we
REVERSE the mortgage valuation and REMAND for further proceedings.
61
See, e.g., Haines v. Cox, 182 P.3d 1140, 1145 (Alaska 2008) (citing Korn
v. Korn, 46 P.3d 1021, 1024 (Alaska 2002)) (“[T]he trial court may award rental value
but only as an adjustment to the equitable division of assets in the third step of the
property-division process, if it provides a careful explanation.”); Heustess, 158 P.3d at
833; Carr v. Carr, 152 P.3d 450, 454 (Alaska 2007); see generally 2 TURNER , supra
note 46, § 6.86, at 458-63.
62
We make no assumptions as to the relationship between the amount of
mortgage payments and the value of the benefit Mark received by living in the marital
home during separation.
-20- 6789