In Re Marriage of Cleveland

425 N.E.2d 475, 99 Ill. App. 3d 293, 54 Ill. Dec. 610, 1981 Ill. App. LEXIS 3156
CourtAppellate Court of Illinois
DecidedAugust 6, 1981
Docket79-1810, 79-2057, 79-2386 cons.
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 425 N.E.2d 475 (In Re Marriage of Cleveland) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Court of Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
In Re Marriage of Cleveland, 425 N.E.2d 475, 99 Ill. App. 3d 293, 54 Ill. Dec. 610, 1981 Ill. App. LEXIS 3156 (Ill. Ct. App. 1981).

Opinion

Mr. JUSTICE JOHNSON

delivered the opinion of the court:

The marriage of Robert E. Cleveland and Frances H. Cleveland was dissolved on January 6,1978. The issues of permanent maintenance, child support, distribution of property, attorney’s fees and all other issues were reserved by the court to be heard as a bifurcated matter.

After extended evidentiary hearings, the court entered a supplemental judgment and order on August 10, 1979. The order settled the issues of maintenance, custody and child support, and disposed of property of the parties. On September 27, 1979, the court entered an order apportioning attorney’s fees. On October 24,1979, the court entered an order staying enforcement of the supplemental judgment pending appeal. On November 16, 1979, the court entered an order vacating the October 24,1979, order. Petitioner, Robert E. Cleveland, was ordered to transfer certain stock certificates to respondent. Petitioner brings a consolidated appeal from the orders of August 10, September 27 and November 16,1979. He raises the following issues for review: (1) whether the trial court erred in determining marital and nonmarital property; (2) whether the trial court erred in awarding marital and nonmarital property to the respondent; (3) whether the trial court erred in awarding respondent cash in lieu of alleged missing personal property; (4) whether the awards of maintenance and child support were excessive; (5) whether the trial court erred in ordering petitioner to pay the major portion of the legal fees; and (6) whether the trial court erred in vacating the stay order pending appeal.

We affirm.

Petitioner and respondent were married on January 2, 1967, At the time of the marriage, petitioner owned a house in Northbrook, Illinois. The parties moved into the house and resided there until their separation in 1977. In 1976, the petitioner quit claimed his interest in the marital residence to his wife.

In 1969, the parties adopted a son, Robert Scott. The child has continued to reside with his mother. In 1977, after the parties separated, an attorney was appointed guardian ad litem to protect the interest of Robert.

On September 12, 1978, an order was entered granting the respondent exclusive possession of the marital home and ordering the petitioner to move out. On January 6,1979, a judgment for dissolution was entered.

On July 10, 1979, the trial court began to hold hearings for the disposition of property, maintenance and child support. Child custody was not an issue. The court held separate hearings on each asset to determine its origin and the source of funds used to acquire the assets. We shall present the findings as summarized by the trial court.

The House

The house in Northbrook was acquired by petitioner prior to marriage. Title remained in petitioner’s name until the house was conveyed by quit-claim deed to respondent. Petitioner claimed that he placed the realty in respondent’s name to avoid possible claims of the Internal Revenue Service. Respondent was to reconvey the property at a later time. Respondent denied that the transfer was temporary. She testified that petitioner had promised, prior to the conveyance, to give her the home so that she and Robert would have a place to live if petitioner lost his tax case. Petitioner ceased making mortgage payments after October 1977.

Florida Lot

This was divided 50/50. Petitioner testified that he purchased the lot for $5500 in 1973. He said that he had purchased it with funds received from distribution of his mother’s estate.

U.I.P. Stock

Stock in the United Improving and Investing Corporation was valued at $9600. Petitioner obtained the 2400 shares during the marriage. He claimed, however, that the stock was purchased with funds received as gifts from his mother. The stock was divided 50/50.

Flying Tiger Stock

Stock valued at $11,250 was acquired in 1975. Petitioner claimed that the stock was purchased with funds he inherited from his mother. The stock was divided 50/50.

Airlift Int’l Stock

Shares were valued at $1600. Respondent was awarded 9/16 of the shares; petitioner was awarded 7/16 of the shares.

Chrysler Stock

One hundred shares of Chrysler stock, valued at $880, were purchased in the name of respondent. Respondent was awarded the 100 shares.

Personalty

Petitioner was awarded a 1974 Buick automobile; respondent was awarded a 1977 Buick automobile. Petitioner was awarded a Norman Rockwell etching and his personal effects. Respondent was awarded a piano, a color television, a black and white television, washer, dryer, and various other furnishings located on the premises of the home in North-brook.

Value of Property Awarded

Marital Property:

Home

Cash in lieu of missing

property

Respondent

$65,000

2,750

4,800

5,625

13,200

$93,155

Petitioner

$2,750

$13,875

Nonmarital Property

Gillette Stock

A.T. & T. Stock

Brunswick Stock

Contran Stock

S. G. Securities

$32,000

3,600

13,700

5,300

10, 600

4,000

$69,200

Respondent was named custodian of securities, stocks, bonds and bank accounts to be held in trust for the benefit of the child, Robert. This property was valued in excess of $28,000. In addition, petitioner was ordered to pay $400 per month for child support.

Respondent was awarded maintenance of $800 per month for a period of 8 years, a total of $76,800. The court determined that the house awarded respondent has a value of $65,000, net. This was deducted from the maintenance award, leaving a remainder of $11,800. The remainder of $11,800 for maintenance plus the $13,200 cash in lieu of personal property amounted to $25,000, which the petitioner was ordered to pay over to respondent after he had satisfied claims of the Palatine Bank.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
425 N.E.2d 475, 99 Ill. App. 3d 293, 54 Ill. Dec. 610, 1981 Ill. App. LEXIS 3156, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/in-re-marriage-of-cleveland-illappct-1981.