In Re Marriage of Van Ness

The petitioner, Loretta Kay Van Ness, and the respondent, John Peyton Van Ness, were married in December 1972. On July 9, 1984, the trial court entered an order dissolving the marriage and reserving the issues of custody, support, maintenance, and property rights for a later hearing. After a further hearing, the trial court awarded custody of the parties’ son to the petitioner and ordered the respondent to pay child support. The court also apportioned the property and denied maintenance. The respondent appeals, contending the trial court erred in dividing the property and ordering him to pay…