Bangert v. McCauley (In Re McCauley)

MEMORÁNDUM OPINION

ELLIS, District Judge.

Background

In this bankruptcy appeal, the central issue presented concerns the dischargeability under 11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(5) of an $80,000 debt set forth in a final divorce decree. The pertinent facts are essentially undisputed and may be simply stated.

The parties to this appeal, Julie-Lyn Ban-gert and Arthur McCauley, were married in 1966, separated in 1985, briefly reconciled later in 1985, and finally divorced on May 1, 1987. Bangert remarried another that same day. During their twenty-one year marriage, the parties adopted two children, McCauley…