In Re the Marriage of Tierney

McCORMICK, Justice.

The question here is whether a trial court may enter a decree in a dissolution action ordering sale of the homestead of the parties to pay their debts. Respondent Ranell Tierney contends the court lacked authority to do so in this case. We hold that the homestead exemption statute, § 561.16, The Code, does not prohibit a dissolution decree provision for sale of the homestead to pay debts of the parties. Therefore we affirm the trial court.

At the time the decree was entered the principal assets of the parties were their homestead, owned in joint tenancy, and inventory and…