In re the Marriage of Key

Husband appeals and wife cross-appeals from a dissolution decree. Both parties challenge the property distribution, each alleging that the other party received a disproportionate share.1 Because we find that wife’s share is too small, we modify the decree.

Husband, age 40, and wife, age 32, separated in December, 1981, after five years of marriage and nearly eight years of cohabitation. The parties have two daughters. Both husband and wife were employed outside the home initially, but wife gave up her job soon after the marriage. The couple’s combined income in 1976 was $24,225. Since that…