In Re the Dissolution of the Marriage of Rislove

The wife appeals the property division provisions of a decree of dissolution of a 20-year marriage. The one child of the marriage is beyond the age of support. The wife was awarded most of the furniture, each party was awarded an automobile and personal effects, and the husband is obligated to pay $2,470 in family debts.

The principal asset of the marriage is a $35,000 equity in the family home. The decree provided simply that the parties "are to remain as owners of that real property as tenants in common.” When counsel for the wife wrote to the court protesting and asking for clarification of…