09 In re the Marriage of Zander

2019 COA 149

• Court: Colorado Court of Appeals
• Decided: September 26, 2019
• Docket: 2018CA12
• Status: Published

Opinion

The summaries of the Colorado Court of Appeals published opinions constitute no part of the opinion of the division but have been prepared by the division for the convenience of the reader. The summaries may not be cited or relied upon as they are not the official language of the division. Any discrepancy between the language in the summary and in the opinion should be resolved in favor of the language in the opinion.

SUMMARY September 26, 2019 2019COA149

No. 2018CA1209 In re the Marriage of Zander — Family Law — Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act — Disposition of Property — Uniform Premarital And Marital Agreements Act — Colorado Marital Agreement Act

In this appeal concerning the division of property entered in

connection with a dissolution of marriage, the division considers the

conflict between the Colorado Marital Agreement Act (CMAA) and

the Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act (UDMA) in the disposition

of marital property.

Though section 14-10-113(2)(d), C.R.S. 2019, of the UDMA

provides that property acquired during marriage is marital property

unless excluded by “valid agreement” of the parties, the CMAA

states that marital agreements must be in writing and signed by

both parties. The division holds the two provisions can be harmonized by concluding the more specific CMAA provision

governs.

Accordingly, the division reverses the district court’s judgment

dividing the parties’ marital property and remands the case to allow

the court to redetermine an equitable property division. COLORADO COURT OF APPEALS 2019COA149

Court of Appeals No. 18CA1209 Grand County District Court No. 16DR30001 Honorable Mary C. Hoak, Judge

In re the Marriage of

Denise Zander,

Appellee,

and

John Zander,

Appellant.

JUDGMENT REVERSED AND CASE REMANDED WITH DIRECTIONS

Division I Opinion by JUDGE TAUBMAN Hawthorne and Grove, JJ., concur

Announced September 26, 2019

Anthony J. DiCola, Heather A. Stein, Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado, for Appellee

Leigh A. Rosser, Edwards, Colorado, for Appellant ¶1 John Zander (husband) appeals the property division entered

in connection with the dissolution of his marriage to Denise Zander

(wife). We reverse and remand for additional proceedings.

I. Background

¶2 In 2018, the district court dissolved the parties’

seventeen-year marriage and divided the marital estate equally. In

doing so, the court determined that an oral agreement entered into

by the parties during the marriage was valid and enforceable. The

court also awarded wife monthly spousal maintenance of $1 until

further court order.

¶3 The district court denied husband’s C.R.C.P. 59 motion, and

this appeal followed.

II. Husband’s Appeal of the Property Division is Not Barred

¶4 To begin, we address wife’s argument, as we understand it,

that husband’s appeal of the property division is barred because he

failed to appeal the maintenance award and used marital funds

during the dissolution proceeding to pay certain marital debts. We

disagree.

¶5 Wife asks us to follow the general rule that a party who

accepts the benefits of a judgment may not seek reversal of that

1 judgment on appeal. In re Marriage of Jones, 627 P.2d 248, 251

(Colo. 1981); DiFrancesco v. Particle Interconnect Corp., 39 P.3d

1243, 1246 (Colo. App. 2001) (Ordinarily, a party’s right to appeal a

judgment is waived by the party’s acceptance of the benefits of that

judgment “when the appeal may result in a determination that the

party is not entitled to what has been accepted.”). However, that

rule is not strictly applied in dissolution of marriage cases, and it

does not apply here. See In re Marriage of Powell, 220 P.3d 952,

954 (Colo. App. 2009); In re Marriage of Burford, 950 P.2d 682, 684

(Colo. App. 1997). Husband’s acceptance of the maintenance award

and his use of marital funds during the dissolution action are not

inconsistent with the basis of his appeal and do not deprive him of

his right to seek review of the court’s property division. See Powell,

220 P.3d at 954; see also In re Marriage of Antuna, 8 P.3d 589, 592

(Colo. App. 2000) (husband’s acceptance of a court-ordered

payment did not constitute a waiver of his right to appeal); In re

Marriage of Lee, 781 P.2d 102, 105 (Colo. App. 1989) (wife’s

acceptance of maintenance payments did not waive her right to

appeal because public policy prohibits requiring a former spouse to

choose between the necessities of life and the right to appeal).

2 III. The Parties’ Oral Marital Agreement is Unenforceable

¶6 Husband contends that the district court erred in finding that

the alleged oral marital agreement was valid and enforceable. We

agree.

¶7 The record reflects that the parties entered the marriage with

separate retirement accounts and received inheritances from their

parents during the marriage. Wife testified that in 2007 the parties

orally agreed to keep their retirement accounts and inheritances as

their separate property. 1 Also in 2007, the parties executed a

revocable living trust, which was amended to exclude their

retirement accounts. Wife offered, and the district court admitted,

Exhibit 41, a 2014 email from husband to his adult son from a

prior marriage, arguably supporting the validity of the alleged oral

agreement:

1 Nevertheless, under section 14-10-113(4), C.R.S. 2019, the value of retirement accounts and inheritances at the time of the marriage is considered separate property. Because the increased value of retirement accounts and inheritances is considered marital property, a written agreement would be required, as discussed below, to have that marital property be considered as separate property.

3 • “I am setting up an investment account with Ameriprise

with money from grandma’s estate. You are the sole

beneficiary.”

• “My [individual retirement account] is down $160,000. You

and [your sister] are the 50-50 beneficiaries. She will

probably let the full amount go to you. That is her

decision.”

¶8 For his part, husband denied having made any such

agreement. 2

¶9 The district court, in a thoughtful and detailed written order,

sided with wife. Relying on section 14-10-113(2)(d), C.R.S. 2019,

basic contract principles, and an adverse credibility finding against

husband, the court determined that wife had established a valid

oral agreement to exclude the parties’ respective retirement

accounts and inheritances from the marital estate. The court

reasoned that husband’s conduct after the alleged agreement

corroborated its existence:

2 Wife does not argue that husband was estopped from disavowing the oral agreement.

4 [Husband] denies that the parties made the agreement to keep their inheritances and retirement accounts their separate property even though he testified that he wants the remainder of his IRA as his separate property when it contains marital property. Further, Exhibit 41 . . . supports the validity of the parties’ agreement as does the fact that the parties never placed their retirement accounts or the proceeds from their pensions into their trust, which was their estate planning vehicle.

¶ 10 Husband does not dispute that an oral agreement may be

valid under general contract principles. Rather, he argues that the

enactment of the Colorado Marital Agreement Act (CMAA) in 1986

displaced common law contract principles permitting parties to

enter into marital agreements by means other than those prescribed

in the CMAA. See In re Marriage of Ikeler, 161 P.3d 663, 667 (Colo.

2007); see also § 14-2-310(1), C.R.S. 2007. Put simply, he asserts

that only written and signed marital agreements are valid and

enforceable.

¶ 11 Our analysis requires us to interpret the CMAA, the law

applicable at the time the purported agreement was made, and the

Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act (UDMA). See § 14-2-303(1),

C.R.S. 2019 (the current version of the Uniform Premarital and

Marital Agreements Act (UPMAA), sections 14-2-301 to -313, C.R.S.

5 2019, applies only to agreements signed on or after July 1, 2014);

Ch. 239, sec. 1, § 14-2-301, 2013 Colo. Sess. Laws 1159 (CMAA

repealed and reenacted as the UPMAA). The interpretation of

statutes is an issue of law that we review de novo. See Ikeler, 161

P.3d at 666.

¶ 12 Our primary goal in statutory interpretation is to find and give

effect to legislative intent. In re Marriage of Joel, 2012 COA 128,

¶ 18, 404 P.3d 1251, 1254. To ascertain the legislative intent, we

look first to the language of the statute, giving words and phrases

their plain and ordinary meanings. See § 2-4-101, C.R.S. 2019;

Joel, ¶ 18. If the language is clear and unambiguous on its face, we

apply the statute as written. In re Marriage of Schmedeman, 190

P.3d 788, 790 (Colo. App. 2008).

¶ 13 But if one statute conflicts with another, we should, if

possible, adopt a construction that harmonizes these provisions

rather than creates an inconsistency or conflict in the statutory

scheme. In re Marriage of Bisque, 31 P.3d 175, 178 (Colo. App.

2001) (resolving conflict between the UDMA and the CMAA). If

statutes addressing the same subject cannot be harmonized, we

ordinarily favor a specific statute over a general one as it is a clearer

6 indication of the General Assembly’s intent in a specific area. See

Telluride Resort & Spa, L.P. v. Colo. Dep’t of Revenue, 40 P.3d 1260,

1265 (Colo. 2002); In re Marriage of Rozzi, 190 P.3d 815, 819 (Colo.

App. 2008); see also § 2-4-205, C.R.S. 2019 (a special provision

prevails as an exception to a general provision, unless the general

provision was later adopted and expresses a manifest intent that it

prevails). Also, if statutes irreconcilably conflict, the statute with

the later effective date prevails. § 2-4-206, C.R.S. 2019.

¶ 14 The UDMA, enacted in 1971, creates a statutory presumption

that property acquired during the marriage is marital property. See

§ 14-10-113(3); see also Michaelson v. Michaelson, 884 P.2d 695,

697 n.2 (Colo. 1994). That presumption, however, may be

overcome by establishing that the property was acquired by one of

the methods listed in section 14-10-113(2). One such method is

that the property acquired during the marriage was excluded “by

valid agreement of the parties.” § 14-10-113(2)(d). Nowhere in the

UDMA is the phrase “valid agreement” specifically defined.

¶ 15 In contrast, section 14-2-302(1), C.R.S. 2007, of the CMAA

defines marital agreement as “an agreement . . . between present

spouses, but only if signed by both parties prior to the filing of an

7 action for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation.” See In re

Marriage of Goldin, 923 P.2d 376, 380 (Colo. App. 1996) (agreement

written in longhand by the wife met the statutory definition of

“marital agreement”). According to the CMAA, the requisite

formalities are that marital agreements “be in writing and signed by

both parties.” § 14-2-303, C.R.S. 2007. “A marital agreement

becomes effective upon marriage, if signed by both parties prior to

marriage, or upon the signatures of both parties, if signed after

marriage.” § 14-2-305, C.R.S. 2007. And after the agreement

becomes effective, it can only be amended or revoked “by a written

agreement signed by both parties.” § 14-2-306, C.R.S. 2007.

¶ 16 Looking at the relationship between section 14-10-113(2)(d) of

the UDMA and sections 14-2-302(1), 14-2-303, and 14-2-305,

C.R.S. 2007, of the CMAA, we conclude that the statutory

provisions can be harmonized. See Telluride Resort & Spa, 40 P.3d

at 1265. Thus, a “valid agreement” of the parties to exclude as

marital property certain property acquired during the marriage

must be a written agreement signed by both parties. To conclude

otherwise would mean that spouses in a dissolution of marriage

proceeding could always exclude certain marital property, even if

8 they did not have a written agreement. Such a conclusion would be

inconsistent with the language contained in section 14-2-302(1),

C.R.S. 2007. As a result, the district court erred in not following

the plain language of the CMAA and instead broadly construing

“valid agreement” in section 14-10-113(2)(d) to include an oral

marital agreement.

¶ 17 Our survey of the UDMA leads us to believe that when the

General Assembly intends to require a written agreement, it

expressly says so. See In re Marriage of Paige, 2012 COA 83, ¶ 12,

282 P.3d 506, 508; see also § 14-10-112(1), C.R.S. 2019 (“[P]arties

may enter into a written separation agreement.”); § 14-10-

113(6)(c)(I), (II) (Parties may enter into a UPMAA marital agreement

or a separation agreement “concerning the division of a public

employee retirement benefit . . . pursuant to a written agreement.”);

§ 14-10-114(7)(a), C.R.S. 2019 (“[P]arties may agree in writing or

orally in court to waive maintenance” and “may also agree to waive

maintenance in a premarital agreement or marital agreement

consistent” with the UPMAA.); § 14-10-115(13)(a)(I), C.R.S. 2019

(For child support orders entered on or after July 1, 1997, a child

becomes emancipated at the age of the nineteen unless “[t]he

9 parties agree otherwise in a written stipulation.”); § 14-10-122(2)(a),

C.R.S. 2019 (“Unless otherwise agreed in writing or expressly

provided in the decree, the obligation to pay future maintenance is

terminated upon the earlier of [four listed events.]”).

¶ 18 Although the General Assembly did not require in section 14-

10-113(2)(d) that a “valid agreement” be in writing, it expressly

provided that marital agreements under section 14-2-302(1), C.R.S.

2007, be in writing and signed by both parties. Thus, as discussed

above, section 14-2-302(1), C.R.S. 2007, must be given effect by

requiring that all marital agreements must be in writing and signed

by both parties.

¶ 19 In the alternative, if we were to conclude that the statutes

cannot be harmonized, we would reach the same result because the

CMAA statute is more specific and more recent. See §§ 2-4-205,

206.

¶ 20 Nor are we persuaded by the district court’s reliance on In re

Marriage of Lemoine-Hofmann, 827 P.2d 587 (Colo. App. 1992).

That reliance, although understandable, was misplaced. In

Lemoine-Hofmann, in 1984, before the parties married, they had

orally agreed to take turns putting each other through college. See

10 id. at 588. After they wed, but before their separation, the parties

entered into a written separation agreement, which memorialized

the prior oral agreement. See id. After husband obtained his

college degree, he requested a divorce. See id.

¶ 21 Applying general contract principles, the division upheld the

district court’s finding that the parties’ oral agreement, later

recognized in their separation agreement, was valid and

enforceable. See id. at 589-90. The division considered significant

the undisputed testimony that the parties intended to put each

other through college regardless of their marital status. See id. at

589. Also, the division dismissed the husband’s argument that the

oral agreement was void as contrary to the statute of frauds. See

id. at 590. The division stated that it was undisputed that “the

obligations at issue were not made upon consideration of the

parties’ marriage” and that the husband conceded that the wife had

partially performed the agreement by putting him through college.

See id.

¶ 22 We observe that the 1984 agreement in Lemoine-Hofmann

arose prior to the effective date of the CMAA. See Ikeler, 161 P.3d

at 667; see also § 14-2-310(1), C.R.S. 2007. We further observe

11 that the oral agreement in Lemoine-Hofmann does not appear to

have been a marital agreement at all as it was not made in

contemplation of marriage. See Lemoine-Hofmann, 827 P.2d at 589-

90.

¶ 23 In contrast, the circumstances here are substantially similar

to those in a case decided eleven years later, In re Marriage of

Lafaye, 89 P.3d 455 (Colo. App. 2003). There, the wife sought to

enforce the husband’s oral promises that he would transfer oil and

gas interests to her and contribute to her son’s medical school

education. See id. at 460. In distinguishing Lemoine-Hofmann, the

division held that the alleged oral promises were not enforceable:

[T]he court [in Lemoine-Hoffman] did not consider application of the [CMAA], and, unlike here, the fact that an oral agreement had been made and the circumstances of the agreement were not disputed. Further, the court found in that case that the oral agreement was binding based on part performance. No such finding was made here with respect to the oil and gas interests.

Id. We perceive no reason to depart from the holding in that case.

¶ 24 We also disagree with the district court’s determination that

the parties’ conduct after entering into the alleged agreement

12 should be considered partial performance satisfying the writing

requirement under the CMAA.

¶ 25 Under section 38-10-112(1)(c), C.R.S. 2019, an “agreement,

promise, or undertaking made upon consideration of marriage,

except mutual promises to marry,” are void absent a writing. One

exception to the writing requirement under section 38-10-112(1)(c)

is partial performance. See Lemoine-Hofmann, 827 P.2d at 590.

However, we have concluded that the more specific and more recent

CMAA governs, and it clearly and unambiguously requires a marital

agreement to be in writing.

¶ 26 The district court’s reliance on Lemoine-Hofmann does not

support its conclusion. As stated previously, the oral agreement in

Lemoine-Hofmann was not a marital agreement and was entered

into before the CMAA was enacted. See id. at 589-90. Importantly,

the division there upheld the parties’ oral agreement determining

that partial performance overcame the requirements of section 38-

10-112(1)(c); it did not say, however, that the partial performance

doctrine excused the writing requirement in the CMAA. See

Lemoine-Hofmann, 827 P.2d at 590. We may presume that the

General Assembly was aware of that case when the CMAA was

13 enacted. See Vaughan v. McMinn, 945 P.2d 404, 409 (Colo. 1997)

(“The legislature is presumed to be aware of the judicial precedent

in an area of law when it legislates in that area.”); U.S. Fid. & Guar.,

Inc. v. Kourlis, 868 P.2d 1158, 1162-63 (Colo. App. 1994). We see

nothing in the language of the CMAA and have found no authority

to indicate that the General Assembly intended to incorporate such

an exception.

¶ 27 Wife summarily states that “[e]ven if the [district] court was

wrong in determining the validity of the oral agreement, the

testimony [about an oral agreement] was parol evidence of the

parties[’] intent to show what went on with the retirement accounts

that were in and then out of the trust.” Because she does not

support this argument with legal authority or any meaningful legal

analysis, we will not address it. Barnett v. Elite Props. of Am., Inc.,

252 P.3d 14, 19 (Colo. App. 2010) (“We will not consider a bald legal

proposition presented without argument or development.”).

¶ 28 Given our disposition, we need not address husband’s

argument that the oral marital agreement was not enforceable

because the parties did not adequately disclose their finances prior

14 to its execution. See § 14-2-307(1)(b), C.R.S. 2007; Bisque, 31 P.3d

at 178.

¶ 29 In sum, we conclude that the more specific CMAA provision

requiring a marital agreement to be in writing prevails over the

general UDMA provision at section 14-10-113(2)(d). Thus, the

district court erred in construing “valid agreement” in section 14-

10-113(2)(d) to include an oral marital agreement. Contrary to the

court’s determination, the alleged oral agreement here is not valid

and enforceable because it does not meet the statutory

requirements under the CMAA. See §§ 14-2-302(1), 14-2-303, 14-

2-305, C.R.S. 2007. Accordingly, we reverse this portion of the

permanent orders, and on remand the district court is instructed to

determine what, if any, portion of the parties’ retirement accounts

and inheritances are marital property under section 14-10-113(1).

IV. Property Division

¶ 30 Considering that our disposition may significantly change the

marital estate, we must reverse and remand the entire property

division for reconsideration. See In re Marriage of Balanson, 25

P.3d 28, 36 (Colo. 2001) (errors by the court in dividing property are

reversible when the aggregate effect of such errors affects the

15 parties’ substantial rights); see also In re Marriage of Zappanti, 80

P.3d 889, 893 (Colo. App. 2003) (an error affecting a large

percentage of the marital estate requires remand to the district

court to correct such error). The court must also consider the

parties’ economic circumstances at the time of the remand. See In

re Marriage of Morton, 2016 COA 1, ¶ 14, 369 P.3d 800, 801; see

also In re Marriage of Wells, 850 P.2d 694, 697-98 (Colo. 1993). In

so doing, the court, in exercising its discretion, may also consider

husband’s apparent adherence to the marital and oral agreement

until the permanent orders hearing. See In re Marriage of

Eisenhuth, 976 P.2d 896, 901 (Colo. App. 1999) (district court has

broad discretion in dividing marital property; the division must be

equitable but need not be mathematically equal).

V. Conclusion

¶ 31 We reverse the district court’s judgment, and the case is

remanded for the district court to determine what part, if any, of the

parties’ retirement accounts and inheritances are marital property

and redetermine an equitable property division.

JUDGE HAWTHORNE and JUDGE GROVE concur.