In re the Marriage of Woods

Husband appeals from a general judgment of dissolution of marriage that was entered following court-annexed arbitration of the parties’ dispute pertaining to the division of marital property. Husband argues, principally, that the trial court erred in denying his request for a trial de novo after the filing of the arbitrator’s award. See ORS 36.425(2)(a). We agree and, particularly, conclude that husband did not by agreement waive his entitlement to obtain a trial de novo. Accordingly, we reverse and remand.

The facts material to our disposition of this appeal are primarily procedural. The…