Newman v. Newman

414 N.E.2d 627, 11 Mass. App. Ct. 903, 1981 Mass. App. LEXIS 884

• Court: Massachusetts Appeals Court
• Decided: January 13, 1981
• Status: Published

Opinion

This case comes before us on the husband’s appeal from a judgment of a Probate Court ordering payment of alimony and a division and distribution of property, and from an order of that court dismissing his complaint for divorce. We conclude that there was no error.

It is settled that G. L. c. 208, § 34 (as appearing in St. 1977, c. 467), empowers probate judges incident to a divorce proceeding to employ broad discretion when handling the myriad of different fact situations which arise in reaching a fair financial settlement and in dealing with property and its equitable division. Rice v. Rice, 372 Mass. 398, 401 (1977).

The probate judge meticulously and comprehensively set out his findings reflecting consideration of all the mandatory and discretionary factors. See Rice v. Rice, supra. He also briefly summarized the evidence in support of each of these findings. The judge then set out extensive additional findings in an effort to develop a more complete factual background in support of his analysis and conclusions. The amount of alimony and division of marital property is, after due consideration is given to the § 34 factors, well within the judge’s discretion and will not be reversed unless those findings are “plainly wrong and excessive.” Rice v. Rice, 372 Mass. at 402. King v. King, 373 Mass. 37, 40 (1977). Bianco v. Bianco, 371 Mass. 420, 422-423 (1976). We have examined the record in this case and found that it contains the required findings concerning each of the various statutory factors and criteria enumerated in § 34, and “clearly indicate[s] that [the judge] has weighed all the statutory considerations.” Bianco v. Bianco, 371 Mass. 420, 423 (1976). We conclude that neither the alimony nor division of property award was plainly wrong or excessive.

Sheldon Newman, pro se. Monroe L. Inker for Barbara L. Newman.

The husband also contends that the judge erred by failing to make certain other findings regarding his contribution to the marital enterprise. This argument is without force. Under Mass.R.Dom.Rel.P. 52(b) the court may amend or make additional findings “upon a motion made not later than ten days after entry of judgment.” The husband made no motion for additional findings. Compare Rice v. Rice, supra at 402.

The husband appears to make several other arguments independent of his claim that the judgment was defective because it was “not supported by the findings of fact and evidence presented.” As to these contentions, we need say only that on this record the judge in assessing the credibility and weight of the husband’s testimony could properly conclude that his testimony “lacked candor” with respect to his actions as a “straw” for his clients, his financial status, and his personal conduct. See Mancuso v. Mancuso, 1 Mass. App. Ct. 867, 868 (1973).

Even if the judge had believed the relevant portions of the husband’s testimony, see Mancuso v. Mancuso, supra, on this record the judge could properly dismiss the husband’s complaint for divorce. See Silverman v. Silverman, 5 Mass. App. Ct. 793 (1977). Contrast Manning v. Manning, 5 Mass. App. Ct. 795 (1977).

Judgments affirmed.