Murray v. Murray

OPINION

RABINOWITZ, Justice.

Ben Murray appeals from the superior court’s property division.

I. FACTS.

Ben and Diane Murray met in 1977 on the North Slope. Diane owned a home in Fairbanks but moved into Ben’s trailer in early 1978, while Ben continued to spend much of his time on the North Slope. The couple opened a joint checking account, and Ben authorized Diane to make withdrawals from his savings account. In Ben’s words, he “kind of regarded Diane as the bookkeeper.”

In July 1979 Ben entered a partnership to purchase land near Homer. Ben alone signed the relevant documents, but Diane was…