Smoot v. Smoot

We consider two issues presented in a wife’s appeal from a divorce decree: whether the chancellor erred in granting the husband a monetary award equal to his cash contribution to the construction of the marital home and whether the chancellor gave proper consideration to the fault ground of divorce in determining the equitable distribution award.

Ronald and Bernice Smoot were married in August 1975. No children were born of their marriage. While married, Ronald and Bernice both were employed as public school teachers, and their incomes were approximately equal.

Bernice had purchased a house in…