In Re Marriage of Minear

Paula B. Minear filed in the circuit court of Douglas County a petition for dissolution of her marriage to Robert E. Minear. In October 1994, the trial judge found that grounds for dissolution existed. In July 1996, the judge filed a memorandum opinion resolving issues of child custody and visitation, child support, maintenance, property distribution, and attorney fees.

Robert appealed and argued that the trial judge abused his discretion in deciding issues relating to maintenance, child support, property distribution, and attorney fees. The appellate court, with one judge dissenting,…