In Re Marriage of O'Neill

The central issue in this case is whether a trial court, when dividing marital property in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, should consider dissipation of marital assets which occurred throughout the duration of the marriage, or should the trial court only consider dissipation which occurred during the time when the marriage was undergoing an irreconcilable breakdown.

On October 22, 1987, appellant, Stephen O’Neill, filed in the circuit court of Sangamon County a petition for dissolution of his marriage to appellee, Carole Sue O’Neill. On May 25, 1988, the circuit court granted the…