Ratarsky v. Ratarsky

POPOVICH, Judge:

This is an appeal from the order of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas entered pursuant to the court’s broad equitable powers in divorce cases, 23 Pa.S.A. § 401(c), directing the appellant, Jack Ratarsky, to pay the appellee, Lillian Ratarsky, 50% of the cash surrender value of the life insurance policies which were held in trust by the parties. Upon review, we find that the trial court abused its discretion and exceeded its authority. Accordingly, we vacate the order and dismiss appellee’s petition.

The record reveals the following facts: On February 7, 1986, the parties’…