In Re the Marriage of Hadley

This is an appeal of the property division and maintenance award in a decree of dissolution. Appeal to this court was allowed pursuant to ROA I-14(e) (now RAP 4.2(a)(4)), due to "fundamental and urgent issues of broad public import requiring prompt and ultimate determination" presented by this case. Mr. Hadley, the respondent, has cross-appealed the award of attorney's fees to the wife.

Richard and Claudette Hadley were married in 1964. At that time, Claudette was 28 years old and owned no significant property. Richard was 42 years old and had assets of approximately $2.3 million as a…