DeRuwe v. DeRuwe

The DeRuwe divorce gave the trial court several complicated problems in property division. In only two respects do we believe we have found a better solution.

Plaintiff Mervin DeRuwe and Elaine married in 1942. The husband, at the time, had property of between $29,000 and $36,000, consisting largely of interests in ranch and farm lands, livestock, and farming and ranch equipment. During their marriage, the husband inherited $13,000 which he commingled with their growing community property. Elaine brought little or no property to the marriage. Mervin DeRuwe started this divorce and Elaine…