Belford v. Belford

NORTHCUTT, Judge.

William Belford appeals the final judgment dissolving his marriage to Deborah Belford. He challenges portions of the property distribution that charged him with dissipating marital assets. We reverse because the evidence failed to prove misconduct on Mr. Belford’s part.

The case was heard by a general magistrate who prepared a report and recommendation, which the circuit court adopted after hearings on the parties’ exceptions. At Ms. Belford’s urging, the magistrate found that Mr. Belford depleted marital assets after the parties separated. The magistrate accounted for these…