Matter of Marriage of Denton

In this marital dissolution action, the issue presented is whether wife’s contribution to husband’s acquisition of a medical license was sufficiently “material,” “substantial,” and “prolonged,” as those terms are used in ORS 107.105(l)(f), to entitle wife to receive an equitable portion of husband’s enhanced earning capacity resulting from that license as part of the property distribution in the case. The trial court held that wife’s contribution met those statutory criteria, and awarded wife $15,000 per year for as long as she survives and husband continues to work. On appeal by husband, the…