In Matter of Marriage of Simmons

This is an appeal from a dissolution of marriage decree which dissolved a 32-year marriage. At the time of the dissolution, husband was 54 and wife was 53. We affirm the order of the trial court, except as to the amount and duration of the lien on the family residence awarded to husband.

The parties’ equity in the residence is valued at $69,000. The court awarded the residence to wife and gave husband a lien in the amount of $25,000, to be paid in five years at “the legal rate of interest.” This award was apparently an attempt to divide the property equally, taking into account the fact that,…