State Specific Tax Definitions and Cases
Alabama- Private defined benefit pensions are tax exempt. All out-of-state pensions
are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Arizona - All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Arkansas - The total exemption from all pension plans cannot exceed $6,000 per
taxpayer. The exemption refers to income from an employer-sponsored pension
plan. With annuities and 401k plans, the portion that employers pay is
taxable, while the portion the employees pay can be applied to the $6,000
exemption. Persons age 65 and over who do not claim the $6,000 deduction
qualify for a $20 tax credit per taxpayer. A surviving spouse qualifies
for the pension exemption. All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same
as in-state pensions.
California - A senior head-of-household tax credit is available to taxpayers age
65 and over who meet the following qualifications: 1) did not have adjusted
gross income over $43,687 for 1996; and 2) qualified as a head of household
in 1994 or 1995 by providing a household for a qualifying individual who
died during 1994 or 1995. The credit equals two percent of California
taxable income up to $823. All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Colorado - Pensioners must be age 55 and over to claim the $20,000 pension and
annuity exemption. The $20,000 exemption affects qualified retirement
income and includes qualified pensions, qualified annuities, Individual
Retirement Account (IRA) distributions, Keogh plans, and Social Security
benefits. All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Connecticut - All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Delaware - Persons under age 60 receive a $2,000 pension exemption; persons age
60 and over receive a $3,000 pension exemption. The pension exemption
covers pensions from employers. The total exemption from all retirement
plans cannot exceed the $2,000 or $3,000 exemption.
Single taxpayers or married taxpayers filing separately who are 60 and
over with an earned income of less than $2,500 and a Delaware adjusted
gross income (AGI) of $10,000 or less are eligible to receive an additional
$2,000 exemption.
Married taxpayers filing jointly, who are age 60 and over with an earned
income of less than $5,000 and a Delaware AGI of $20,000 or less, are
eligible to receive an additional $4,000 exemption. All out-of-state pensions
are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
District of Columbia - Pensioners must be age 62 and over to qualify for the $3,000 exemption.
All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Georgia - Taxpayers age 62 and over or totally disabled can claim an income exemption,
which includes all unearned income, such as pension income, annuities,
interest, dividends, and capital gains, and the first $4,000 of earned
income for a maximum exemption of $12,000 per taxpayer.
With married couples filing jointly, each spouse can exempt up to $12,000.
All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Hawaii - Noncontributory private pension plans are tax exempt. With contributory
private pension plans, earnings are taxed, while employee contributions
are tax exempt. The private pension exclusion pertains to
employer-funded pension plans. This includes profit-sharing, defined contribution, and
defined benefit plans. All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as
in-state pensions.
Idaho - Pensioners must be age 65 and over or age 62 to 65 and disabled to qualify
for the public pension exemption. Public pension exemption amounts are
$14,976 (single filers) and $22,464 (married, filing jointly). These amounts
are adjusted annually according to the maximum benefit under Social Security.
The exemption amounts are reduced by Social Security and Railroad Retirement
benefits received. Allowable state/local pension exemptions include pensions
from a city's police retirement fund or from the state's retirement
fund for fire fighters. All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Illinois - Exempt pension/retirement income includes government retirement or disability
plans, qualified employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 402 through
408 or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code), Social Security benefits, IRA
distributions, redemptions of U.S. retirement bonds, Railroad Retirement
income, qualified annuities, and Keogh plans. All out-of state pensions
are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Indiana - Federal civil service pensioners must be 62 and over to claim the $2,000
pension exemption. The amount federal civil service pensioners may exempt
is offset by Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits received.
Military pensioners must be 60 and over to claim the exemption. Limited
tax credits are available to persons 65 and over. All out-of-state pensions
are fully taxed.
Iowa - Taxpayers age 55 and over can claim an exemption of $3,000 (single filers)
or $6,000 (married, filing jointly) from retirement plans including pension
income. All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Kansas - All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Kentucky - Public pension income is fully tax-exempt, while private pension income
is exempt on 50 percent of the pension income, not to exceed $12,500 for
tax year 1996. Exempt private pension income includes private employer
pension plans, IRA distributions, annuity income, and profit-sharing plan income.
Private pension exemptions will increase to 75 percent of pension income,
not to exceed $18,750 in tax year 1997 and $35,000 in tax year 1998. For
tax year 1999 and thereafter, the $35,000 exemption will be adjusted for
inflation by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
State, local, and federal employees retiring before January 1, 1998, will
receive a full exemption of their public pensions. Those retiring after
January 1, 1998, will receive an exemption of their public pension based
on the amount of the individual's service time prior to January 1,
1998, compared to their total service time. All out-of-state pensions
are fully taxed. At a minimum, public-sector retirees will be eligible
for the same pension exemption as private-sector retirees.
Louisiana - Taxpayers must be 65 and over to qualify for the $6,000 (single filers)
or $12,000 (married, filing jointly) private pension/retirement exemption.
The private retirement exemption pertains to taxable IRA distributions,
pension, and annuity income reported on lines 15b and 16b on federal Form
1040. Out-of-state pensions are fully taxed like in-state private pensions.
Maine - Taxpayers qualifying for the federal elderly tax credit may claim 20
percent of the federal credit as a Maine tax credit. All out-of-state
pensions are fully taxed.
Maryland - Pensioners must be 65 and over and/or totally disabled to qualify for
up to a $14,400 exemption that is reduced by Social Security and Federal
Railroad Retirement benefits. Exempt income is pension, annuity, or endowment
income from an employee retirement system (not including IRA distributions,
Keogh plans, or deferred compensation plans). The exemption amount changes
annually according to the maximum benefit received under the Social Security Act.
Military pensioners are eligible for an additional pension exemption of
up to $2,500. To qualify, a pensioner must be 55 or over and be an enlisted
member of the military at retirement. The exemption amount depends on
federal adjusted gross income which has to be under $22,500 to qualify.
All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Massachusetts - Most federal and state/municipal pensions are contributory and therefore,
are fully exempt, while military and most private pensions are noncontributory
and therefore are fully taxed. Massachusetts does not tax pension income
of Massachusetts residents receiving contributory public pensions from
other states provided those states do not tax pension income (from a Massachusetts
contributory public retirement plan) of former Massachusetts state employees.
Out-of-state noncontributory private pensions are fully taxed.
Michigan - Private pension income is exempt up to $31,920 (single filers) and $63,840
(married, filing jointly). Examples of exempt income are qualified pension
income, IRA distributions (received after age 59 1/2), Keogh plan income,
and qualified annuities (which are paid for life to taxpayers age 65 or
older). To qualify for the exemptions, pension plans of private pensioners
must define eligibility for retirement and set contribution and benefit
amounts in advance.
Taxpayers age 65 or over who do not claim a pension exemption can exempt
interest and dividends up to $1,064 (singles) or $2,128 (married, filing
jointly) for 1996.
For tax year 1997, taxpayers age 65 or over can exempt interest, dividends,
and capital gains up to $3,500 (single filers) and $7,000 (married, filing
jointly). The amount of the exemption would be reduced by the amount of
any pension exemption claimed.
Michigan has reciprocal agreements with other states. That is, if another
state does not tax Michigan public sector pensions (all government levels)
of former Michigan employees who are now citizens of another state, then
Michigan will not tax Michigan residents who receive public sector pensions
from other states. All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state
private pensions.
Minnesota - Although Minnesota does not specifically exempt pension income, persons
age 65 and over who qualify can exempt from any income source $9,600 (single
filers) or $12,000 (married, filing jointly) less nontaxable Social Security
benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, and one-half of federal adjusted
gross income (AGI) over $14,500 (single filers or married, filing jointly;
one spouse is under 65 and one is 65 or over) or $18,000 (married, filing
jointly; both spouses are 65 or over). Since nontaxable Social Security
benefits are subtracted, those who benefit from this exemption are usually
not receiving Social Security benefits, such as federal retirees.
To qualify for the above exemptions, one must meet the following economic
requirements:
1) the AGI must be less than $33,700, and Railroad Retirement benefits
and nontaxable Social Security benefits are less than $9,600 (single filers);
2) the AGI must be less than $42,000, and Railroad Retirement benefits
and nontaxable Social Security benefits are less than $12,000 (married,
filing jointly; both spouses are 65 or over); 3) the AGI must be less
than $38,500, and Railroad Retirement benefits and nontaxable Social Security
benefits are less than $12,000 (married, filing jointly; one spouse under
65). All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Mississippi - Retirement income that qualifies for the exemption includes public pension
income, annuity income, IRA distributions, Keogh plan income, Simplified
Employee Pension income, and deferred compensation plan income. All out-of-state
pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensons.
Missouri - The $6,000 exemption for all state, federal, and military pensions is
available if:
1) single filers earn less than $25,000 per year (Missouri AGI less federal
taxable Social Security); or 2) married joint filers earn less than $32,000
per year (Missouri AGI less federal taxable Social Security); or 3) married
separate filers earn less than $16,000 (Missouri AGI less federal taxable
Social Security). All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Montana - The $3,600 exemption pertains to qualified pensions, annuities, Keogh
plans, Simplified Employee Pension plans, deferred compensation, and IRA
distributions. The exemption does not include premature distributions.
The $3,600 exemption is reduced by $2 for every $1 that the federal AGI
exceeds $30,000. The exemption is entirely phased out when income reaches
$31,800 (assuming a retirement income of $3,600 or more). All out-of-state
pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Nebraska - Taxpayers qualifying for the federal elderly tax credit may claim the
federal credit as a Nebraska tax credit. All out-of-state pensions are
fully taxed.
New Jersey - Taxpayers must be 62 and over or disabled under Social Security to qualify
for the pension exemption. Exemption amounts are $7,500 (single filers),
$10,000 (married joint filers), and $5,000 (married separate filers).
Pension income includes taxable pensions, annuities, and IRA distributions.
Taxable pension plans, annuity plans, and IRA distribution income does
not include employer contributions, which have already been taxed.
Taxpayers age 62 or over who do not claim the maximum pension exclusion
may be able to exclude other types of income, such as wages, interest,
and dividends. This retirement exclusion refers to taxpayers whose earned
income is $3,000 or less. These taxpayers can use the unclaimed portion
of their pension exclusion to exclude other types of income.
Taxpayers age 62 or over who who do not receive Social Security or Railroad
Retirement benefits can exempt up to $3,000 (single filers or married,
filing separately) or $6,000 (married joint filers) of taxable income.
All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
New Mexico - Taxpayers 65 and over may exempt up to $8,000 from any source depending
on their adjusted gross income level and filing status. All out-of-state
pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
New York - Taxpayers must be 59 1/2 and over to qualify for a $20,000 exemption
from private pensions, annuities, IRA distributions, Keogh plans, and
disability income. All out-of-state pensions, except for federal pensions,
are taxed the same as in-state private pensions.
North Carolina - The $2,000 private pension exemption includes income from IRA distributions,
annuities, Keogh plans, and Simplified Employee Pension income. All out-of-state
pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
North Dakota - All public-sector pensioners must be 50 and over to qualify for the
pension exemption. All public sector pension exemptions are reduced by
Social Security benefits received. Pensioners must file the long form
to qualify for all public sector pension exemptions. Only highway patrol,
city police, and city firefighters qualify to receive the $5,000 exemptions
under state/local retirement pension plans. All out-of-state pensions
are fully taxed.
Ohio - Tax credits are available for retirement income without age restrictions
as follows:
Tax
Retirement Income
Credit
$500 or less
|
none
|
Over $500 but not more than $1,500
|
$25
|
Over $1,500 but not more than $3,000
|
$50
|
Over $3,000 but not more than $5,000
|
$80
|
Over $5,000 but not more than $8,000
|
$130
|
Over $8,000
|
$200
|
To qualify for the above
retirement income credit, a taxpayer must have received retirement benefits, annuities, or distributions
from a pension, retirement, or profit-sharing plan. In addition, a taxpayer
must have received this income because of retirement reasons, and the
income must be included in Ohio adjusted gross income.
A $50
senior citizen credit is available to taxpayers 65 and over; only one $50 credit is available
for each return, even for married taxpayers filing jointly. All out-of-state
pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Oklahoma - Starting in tax year 1997, private pensions will gradually be exempted
up to $5,500 by phasing the exemption in with $1,100 increments over five
years as follows: $1,100 exemption in 1997; $2,200 exemption in 1998;
$3,300 exemption in 1999; $4,400 exemption in 2000; and a $5,500 exemption
in 2001. Oklahoma law is specifically tied to the Oklahoma retirement
systems. Therefore, all out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Oregon - Taxpayers 60 and over whose household income is less than $45,000 (married,
filing jointly) or $22,500 (other filing statuses) and who have not received
more than $7,500 ($15,000 if married, filing jointly) in Social Security
and/or Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits are eligible for the retirement
income tax credit.
This credit can be as much as nine percent of retirement income depending
on the level of total income, Social Security benefits, and Tier 1 Railroad
Retirement benefits. The credit can be applied to the following income:
public pensions, employee pensions, individual retirement plans, deferred
compensation plans, and employee annuity plans. The minimum eligibility
age will gradually increase each year until age 62 for tax year 1999.
Oregon also offers an elderly tax credit equal to 40 percent of the federal
elderly tax credit; however, taxpayers can apply for either this credit
or the retirement income tax credit, but not both. All out-of-state pensions
are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Pennsylvania - Taxpayers must be 59 1/2 or over to exempt retirement income. Exempt
retirement income includes private pensions, public pensions, annuities,
Keogh plans, Simplified Employee Pension income, deferred compensation
plans, and IRA distributions. All out-of state pensions are fully exempt.
Rhode Island - All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
South Carolina - Effective tax year 1993, pension exemptions increased from $3,000 to
$10,000 per retiree for pensioners 65 or over. Exempt income involves
plans defined in IRC sections 401, 403, 408, and 457, public pensions
plans, IRA distributions, Keogh plans, and military retirement (for persons
with 20 or more years of active military duty).
Pensioners under the age of 65 who are just starting to receive retirement
income in tax year 1993 or beyond can elect to take either the pre-1993
deduction of $3,000 for the rest of their lives or defer any deduction
until the age of 65 (66 for people born between 1943 and 1959; 67 for
people born after 1959).
If pensioners defer the deduction to age 65, they are then allowed a $10,000
annual deduction for the rest of their lives. Only one retirement benefit
exemption is allowed per pensioner. All out-of-state pensions are taxed
the same as in-state pensions.
Utah - Pensioners under the age of 65 may exempt up to $4,800 on pensions,
annuities, and Social Security benefits (taxable on federal form). Pensioners
age 65 and over may exempt up to $7,500 on all income sources. Since 1988,
exclusions have been subject to a $1 reduction for every $2 of AGI in
excess of $25,000 (single filers), $32,000 (married, filing jointly),
and $16,000 (married, filing separately). All out-of-state pensions are
taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Vermont - Taxpayers age 65 and over are eligible for an elderly tax credit equal
to 25 percent of the federal elderly tax credit. All out-of-state pensions
are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
Virginia - Taxpayers 62 to 64 years of age receive a $6,000 exemption from any
income source, while those 65 or over receive a $12,000 exemption from
any income source. Married, joint filers qualify for twice the exemption
amount even if one spouse earns less than the exemption amount of $6,000
or $12,000. All out-of-state pensions are taxed the same as in-state pensions.
West Virginia - Pensioners receive up to a $2,000 pension exclusion (except for private
pensioners and some small municipalities that do not participate in West
Virginia's retirement system). Some public safety officials, i.e.,
any state or local police or firefighters, receive a full pension exemption.
Taxpayers age 65 and over or permanently disabled qualify for up to a $8,000
exemption from any income source. However, the $2,000 pension exemption,
the full pension exemption for public safety officials, and interest or
dividends on U.S. obligations that are already tax-deductible count toward
the $8,000 ceiling. All out-of-state pensions are fully taxed.
Wisconsin - Only military, federal, and certain state/municipal pensioners who retired
prior to January 1, 1964, or became a member of the retirement system
as of December 31, 1963, and then retired at a later date, qualify for
a tax exemption on their pension income. However, for state and local
government retirees, only certain Milwaukee city, Milwaukee county, and
the Wisconsin teachers' retirement systems qualify for exemptions
subject to the aforementioned conditions. In addition to the pension exemption,
a $25 tax credit is offered to taxpayers 65 and over. All out-of-state
pensions are fully taxed.
listed chronologically
Iowa Reports
IN RE MARRIAGE OF GAHAGEN, 4-272/03-1731 (Iowa App. 8-11-2004)
No. 4-272/03-1731
Filed August 11, 2004
James Gahagen appeals from the trial court's denial of his motion to
modify an order dividing his military pension following the dissolution
of his marriage to Mary Ann Gahagen. He contends the order grants Mary
Ann a portion of his veterans' disability benefits in violation of
the United States Code and Supreme Court precedent. We affirm.
Michigan Supreme Court Reports
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDN. v. CLEVELAND CLIFFS IRON CO., 471 Mich. 608 (2004)
No. 121890.
Decided July 30, 2004.
This case presents the question of whether plaintiffs have standing to
bring a suit on behalf of their members under the Michigan Environmental
Protection Act (MEPA), MCL 324.1701
et seq. We conclude that, under the particular circumstances of this case, plaintiffs
have standing. We affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals and remand
this case to the trial court for further proceedings.
Michigan Supreme Court Reports
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION v. CLEVELAND CLIFFS IRON CO., 121890 (2004)
No. 121890.
Decided July 30, 2004.
This case presents the question of whether plaintiffs have standing to
bring a suit on behalf of their members under the Michigan Environmental
Protection Act (MEPA), MCL 324.1701
et seq. We conclude that, under the particular circumstances of this case, plaintiffs
have standing. We affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals and remand
this case to the trial court for further proceedings.
New York Miscellaneous Reports
PEOPLE v. GREENLEAF, 24267 (2004)
24267.
Decided July 13, 2004.
On March 6, 2004, in New Paltz, New York, two ordained ministers of the
Unitarian Universalist Church performed marriage ceremonies for 13 same-sex
couples who did not have marriage licenses. They are charged with a crime
for solemnizing marriages without licenses being presented to them, in
violation of section 17 of the Domestic Relations Law ("DRL").
Conviction could result in a maximum fine of $250 and/or incarceration
for a maximum of one year.
Texas Case Law
KENT v. HOLMES, 06-03-00071-CV (Tex.App.-Texarkana [6th Dist.] 2004)
No. 06-03-00071-CV
Decided: June 30, 2004.
The dispute in this case concerns the distribution of a retirement annuity
from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) accumulated by Linda
Ann Holmes McWhorter. After McWhorter retired from her teaching career,
she and her husband, Tommy Joe Holmes, obtained a divorce. The divorce
decree granted McWhorter sole right to the retirement benefits and divested
Holmes of any right to the benefits. TRS refused to recognize the divorce
decree as a court order which changed the beneficiary of the annuity and
determined the form on which McWhorter attempted to change beneficiaries
did not suffice. McWhorter died before TRS approved a beneficiary change.
On McWhorter's death, TRS began making annuity payments to Holmes.
Alan Brad Kent, individually and as independent executor of the estate
of Linda Ann McWhorter, deceased, and Cassie Elizabeth Kent (collectively
"the Kents") appeal from a partial summary judgment in Holmes'
favor. The Kents raise nine issues on appeal. We affirm in part, reverse
in part, and remand for a trial on the merits consistent with this opinion.
Indiana Case Law
MAHL v. AARON, 809 N.E.2d 953 (Ind.App. 2004)
No. 46A03-0307-CV-283.
June 14, 2004.
Susan Mahl (a/k/a Susan Scott), a South Carolina resident, appeals the
trial court's order allowing Jim Aaron to execute a judgment against
individual retirement accounts ("IRAs") that she opened in Indiana.
We find that the trial court properly applied Indiana law to resolve the
dispute and that as a non-domiciliary Mahl is not entitled to exempt her
IRAs from execution under Indiana Code § 34-55-10-2(b)(6). Moreover,
we find that Mahl waived her Equal Privileges and Immunities challenge
to Indiana Code § 34-55-10-2(b)(6) and that her Full Faith and Credit
challenge to that section fails. Finally, we find that Mahl does not have
standing to challenge Indiana Code § 34-55-10-2(b)(6) based on South
Carolina's legitimate interests. Consequently, we affirm.
Texas Case Law
KENT v. HOLMES, 06-03-00071-CV (Tex.App.-Texarkana [6th Dist.] 2004)
No. 06-03-00071-CV
Decided: June 9, 2004.
The dispute in this case concerns the distribution of a retirement annuity
from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) accumulated by Linda
Ann Holmes McWhorter. After McWhorter retired from her teaching career,
she and her husband, Tommy Joe Holmes, obtained a divorce. The divorce
decree granted McWhorter sole right to the retirement benefits and divested
Holmes of any right to the benefits. TRS refused to recognize the divorce
decree as a court order which changed the beneficiary of the annuity and
determined the form on which McWhorter attempted to change beneficiaries
did not suffice. McWhorter died before TRS approved a beneficiary change.
On McWhorter's death, TRS began making annuity payments to Holmes.
Alan Brad Kent, individually and as independent executor of the estate
of Linda Ann McWhorter, deceased, and Cassie Elizabeth Kent (collectively
"the Kents") appeal from a partial summary judgment in Holmes'
favor. The Kents raise nine issues on appeal. We affirm in part, reverse
in part, and remand for a trial on the merits consistent with this opinion.
Tennessee Unpublished Opinions
ELLIOTT v. ELLIOTT, M2003-00492-COA-R3-CV (Tenn.App. 4-8-2004)
No. M2003-00492-COA-R3-CV.
Filed April 8, 2004.
This appeal involves a post-divorce dispute regarding stock options that
were part of the marital estate. The Circuit Court for Davidson County
approved a marital dissolution agreement in which the husband agreed to
transfer one-half of his employee stock options to the wife as part of
the division of the martial estate. After the husband's employer and
the employer's brokerage firm declined to transfer the stock options
to the wife, she orally requested the husband to exercise the options
on her behalf. The value of the employer's stock fell after the husband
did not exercise the options. The wife sought to hold the husband in contempt
or to modify the divorce decree. The trial court declined to hold the
husband in contempt but found that he had impermissibly impeded the division
of the martial estate. Accordingly, the court awarded the wife $59,759.25,
the stock options' before-tax value had they been exercised on the
day the divorce decree was entered. In addition, the court ordered the
husband to immediately sell the options originally awarded to the wife
and to pay her the proceeds as a credit against the judgment. The court
also ordered the husband to pay the wife's attorney's fees, as
well as prejudgment interest. The husband has appealed. We have determined
that the trial court properly concluded that the husband unreasonably
impeded the wife's acquisition of the value of the stock options.
However, we have determined that the trial court erred by valuing the
stock options as of the time of the divorce rather than the time the wife
and the husband orally agreed to exercise the options and that the court
erred by requiring the husband to exercise his options to pay the judgment.
We have also determined that the court erred by awarding the wife prejudgment
interest but properly awarded the wife her attorney's fees.
Oklahoma Case Law
NELSON v. NELSON, 2003 OK CIV APP 105
No. 98,604
Decided: August 19, 2003 Certiorari Denied December 1, 2003
1 Neil E. Nelson (Husband) appeals from provisions in a decree of divorce
dividing marital assets including military retirement pay. The issue on
appeal is whether the Trial Court abused its discretion in dividing the
marital estate and in stating that it retained jurisdiction regarding
the payment of the retirement pay. Upon review of the record and applicable
law, we find that it did not and affirm.
Nebraska Reports
GASE v. GASE, 266 Neb. 975 (2003)
No. S-02-1115.
Filed November 14, 2003.
This is an appeal from an order modifying a divorce decree awarding child
support. Theresa Ann Gase filed a petition for modification of decree,
seeking to modify the support being paid by John Charles Gase for the
minor children of the parties. The district court for Sarpy County entered
an order increasing John's monthly support obligation. Theresa appeals
the trial court's order. She claims that the trial court erred in
calculating the parties' respective incomes, in incorrectly crediting
John twice for the children of his second family, and in failing to retroactively
apply the modification of child support. John cross-appeals, contending
that the trial court erred in failing to add depreciation claimed on Theresa's
federal income tax returns back to her income.
Nevada Supreme Court Reports
SHELTON v. SHELTON, 119 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 55, 37483 (2003)
No. 37483.
October 29, 2003.
The principal issue in this appeal is whether relief is available to a
former spouse when a veteran unilaterally waives his military pension
in order to receive disability benefits, resulting in the former spouse's
loss of her community share in the pension. We conclude that, although
courts are prohibited by federal law from determining veterans' disability
pay to be community property, state law of contracts is not preempted
by federal law. Thus, respondent must satisfy his contractual obligations
to his former spouse, and the district court erred in denying former spouse's
motion solely on the basis that federal law does not permit disability
pay to be divided as community property.
Colorado Case Law
In Re the Interest of A.M.D., 78 P.3d 741 (Colo. 2003)
Case No. 02SC333.
October 20, 2003.
[1] In this child support case, we address whether and to what extent an
inheritance may be included in a parent's gross income for purposes
of determining child support obligations. The trial court concluded that
the principal of an inheritance can be included in gross income, but only
to the extent that the beneficiary relies on the principal as a source
of income. The remainder of the principal, the court held, should be counted
as an asset, and any interest generated by this asset should be included
in the parent's gross income. The court of appeals disagreed, holding
that while the interest generated from an inheritance qualifies as gross
income, the inheritance's corpus, or principal, never does. In re
A.M.D., 56 P.3d 1184 (Colo.App. 2002).
South Dakota Supreme Court Reports
ARNESON v. ARNESON, 2003 SD 125
No. 22639
Opinion Filed October 15, 2003
[ 1.] This appeal concerns whether the circuit court improperly considered
the father's physical limitations resulting from his cerebral palsy
in deciding child custody between the parents. The father challenges three
aspects of the court's decision: the child custody award to the mother,
the use of his structured personal injury settlement as a "source
of income" for child support, and the award of attorney's fees
to the mother. Because the court considered the appropriate factors in
determining child custody, child support, and attorney's fees, we
affirm on all issues.
New Mexico Case Law
ARNOLD v. ARNOLD, 2003-NMCA-114
Docket No. 22,765.
Filing Date: July 14, 2003.
{1} Richard Neel Arnold (Husband) appeals the district court's final
decree on dissolution of marriage awarding Pamela Jean Arnold (Wife) one-half
of Husband's accrued vacation and sick leave benefits. Husband contends
that his accrued vacation and sick leave hours are not community property.
If they are, Husband contends the district court improperly calculated
the sick leave hours and their value. We affirm.
South Dakota Supreme Court Reports
ROBERTS v. ROBERTS, 2003 SD 75
No. 22440
Opinion Filed July 2, 2003
[1.] Bart Roberts (Bart) appeals a circuit court decision adopting a report
by a child support referee recommending an increase in Bart's child
support obligation. In calculating the increase, the referee included
"pass-through income" from a subchapter S corporation in Bart's
income and extrapolated his support to a level above the child support
guidelines based upon the pass-through income. We reverse and remand.
Tennessee Unpublished Opinions
DUNLOY v. DUNLOY, M2000-03103-COA-R3-CV (Tenn.App. 5-27-2003)
No. M2000-03103-COA-R3-CV.
Filed May 27, 2003.
This appeal involves a dispute over the interpretation of a provision in
a marital dissolution agreement dealing with the method of distribution
of the husband's defined benefit plan. The trial court interpreted
the provision as calling for deferred distribution pursuant to the coverture
fraction method. The husband appeals arguing that the net present value
method, rather than the deferred distribution method, is proper. We reverse
the trial court.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial / Appeals Courts
KRAPF v. KRAPF, 439 Mass. 97 (2003)
SJC-08872
April 2, 2003.
Albert H. Krapf (defendant) appealed from a declaratory judgment ordering
him to pay to his former spouse, Constance E. Krapf (plaintiff), an amount
equal to the military pension income she would have received pursuant
to the parties' separation agreement (agreement) had the defendant,
after the divorce, not voluntarily and without the plaintiff's consent
waived his military retirement benefits in order to receive Veterans Administration
(VA) disability payments. The defendant also appealed from the judge's
order that he pay the plaintiff's appellate attorney's fees pendente
lite. The Appeals Court affirmed the declaratory judgment with modifications.
Krapf v. Krapf, 55 Mass. App. Ct. 485, 492 (2002). We granted the defendant's application
for further appellate review. We conclude that the judge acted properly
in construing and specifically enforcing the agreement and in awarding
the plaintiff appellate counsel fees, pendente lite. Accordingly, we affirm
the declaratory judgment, as modified by the Appeals Court, see
id., and the award of attorney's fees.
Arizona Case Law
ARIZONA DEPT. OF REVENUE v. RABY, 204 Ariz. 509 (App. 2003)
No. 1 CA-TX 01-0004
Filed March 27, 2003
1 William L. Raby and Norma S. Raby ("the Rabys") appeal from
a summary judgment that dismissed their claim for a refund of Arizona
individual income taxes attributable to a claimed subtraction that the
Arizona Department of Revenue ("ADOR") disallowed in the Rabys'
amended joint return for tax year 1994. The issue is whether the Rabys,
who had equal community property interests in the sums that the Arizona
State Retirement System ("Retirement System") paid as a result
of Mr. Raby's retirement from state employment, were each entitled
under Arizona Revised Statutes ("A.R.S.") section 43-1022(2)(b)
(1994) to exclude $2,500.00 of those payments in computing their Arizona
adjusted gross income for 1994. As did the tax court, we conclude that
the Rabys were only entitled to one $2,500.00 subtraction. Accordingly,
we affirm.
Illinois Appellate Court Reports
CRESS v. RECREATION SERVICES, INC., 341 Ill. App.3d 149 (2003)
No. 2-01-1350
January 28, 2003.
Defendants, Recreation Services, Inc. (RSI), Larry Donovan, and Recreational
Services, Inc., Deferred Compensation Plan (Plan), appeal from a judgment
entered in favor of plaintiff, Donald Cress, on his claims for breach
of contract and tortious interference with contract, which were tried
to a jury, and his claim for declaratory relief under the Employment Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA) (29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq. (1994)), which
was tried to the bench. Defendants appeal on various grounds. Plaintiff
cross-appeals. We affirm in part and reverse in part and remand for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
California Courts of Appeal Reports
SETTLEMIRE v. SUPERIOR COURT, 105 Cal. App. 4th 666 (2003)
B158416
Filed January 22, 2003; on rehearing Certified for Publication
The trial court assigns an order to show cause hearing involving a domestic
restraining order and several other related issues to a commissioner for
hearing. The attorney representing one of the parties will not stipulate
to the commissioner and moves the court to vacate the assignment. The
trial court denies the motion and assigns the case to the same commissioner
"for a hearing, and findings on any matter of fact upon which information
is required by the Court."
Tennessee Reports
WADE v. WADE, 115 S.W.3d 917 (Tenn.App 2002)
No. M2002-00555-COA-R3-CV.
Filed December 31, 2002. Publisned Pursuant to Tenn. Ct. App. Rule 11.
This appeal arises from a change in child support, increasing the Appellant's
monthly support obligation and awarding Appellee one half of all un-reimbursed
medical and dental expenses while Appellant is in the military. Concerning
child support, we affirm in part, with modification, and reverse and remand
in part. Concerning un-reimbursed medical and dental expenses, we affirm.
New Hampshire Case Law
IN THE MATTER OF SUTTON AND SUTTON, 148 N.H. 676 (2002)
No. 2001-531
Opinion Issued December 17, 2002
The petitioner, Anne C. Sutton, appeals from the final divorce decree recommended
by a Master (Larry B. Pletcher, Esq.) and approved by the Family Division
(Cyr, J.). We affirm.
West Virginia Supreme Court Reports
SMITH v. FIRST COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, 212 W. Va. 809 (2002)
Nos. 30623, 30624
Filed: December 9, 2002
In case number 30623, the appellants and plaintiffs below, Ann Tierney
Smith, Ann Barclay Smith, and Laurence E. Tierney Smith, sued the appellees
and defendants below, First Community Bancshares, Inc. (formerly known
as FCFT, Inc.), First Community Bank, Inc., Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore,
and W. William Gust, for alleged wrongful invasion of the corpus of a
marital trust. The appellants now appeal three orders of the Circuit Court
of Mercer County dated February 16, 1999, November 28, 2000, and December
28, 2000, in which the circuit court ruled against the appellants. After
careful consideration of the issues, this Court affirms the rulings of
the circuit court.
Kansas Case Law
IN RE MARRIAGE OF WHERRELL, 274 Kan. 984 (2002)
No. 86,791
Opinion filed: December 6, 2002.
This case comes before the court on a petition for review pursuant to K.S.A.
20-3018(c). Based upon the terms of the journal entry of divorce, the
district court awarded ex-wife 50 percent of the military severance pay
received by her ex-husband, plus prejudgment interest. Ex-husband appealed,
contending the military severance pay was a disability benefit, not a
retirement benefit subject to division. Ex-wife asserted the district
court was correct in finding she (1) was entitled to 50 percent of the
military severance pay; (2) was entitled to prejudgment interest; and
(3) was entitled to relief under K.S.A. 60-260(b)(6). The Court of Appeals
determined the severance pay was an indivisible disability benefit and
reversed the district court.
New Mexico Case Law
STATE v. LONGACRE, 2002-NMSC-033
Docket No. 27,135.
Filing Date: November 19, 2002.
{1} Defendant-Appellant, Lawrence Longacre (Lawrence), appeals from the
decision in State ex rel. Public Employees Retirement Ass'n v. Longacre,
2001-NMCA-076, 131 N.M. 156, 33 P.3d 906, in which the Court of Appeals
declared NMSA 1978, § 10-11-4.2(A) (1997) unconstitutional. We reverse
the Court of Appeals, holding that Section 10-11-4.2(A) is a constitutional
statute of repose.
Hawaii Case Law
TELLER v. TELLER, 99 Haw. 101 (2002)
No. 22440
August 30, 2002. Reconsideration Denied September 19, 2002.
Defendant-Appellant Howard Teller ("Howard")[fn1] appeals from
the post-decree orders of the family court of the first circuit, the Honorable
Dan T. Kochi presiding, recalculating the amount of the marital estate
and denying prejudgment interest. On appeal, Howard argues that the family
court erred in: (1) rejecting the Sullivan/Scott appraisal of his pre-marital
intellectual property; (2) finding that his pre-marital intellectual property
did not depreciate; (3) finding that $1,058,945 of the approximately $3
million earned in the sale of his business was equally divided between
pre-marital intellectual property and post-marital property; (4) ruling
that payments from the sale of the "latching detector" patent
constituted marital income; and (5) ruling that prejudgment interest pursuant
to Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS) § 636-16 (1993) may not be awarded
in family court cases. As an initial matter, we note that Howard submitted
a brief that is nonconforming with the Hawai`i Rules of Appellate Procedure
(HRAP) Rule 28 requirement that the opening brief contain a concise statement
of the points upon which the party alleges as error, properly identify
where in the record the alleged errors can be found, and the specific
finding of fact or conclusion of law that is being contested. In this
case, we reach the merits of four of Howard's points of error because,
despite the nonconformity, the record and the opening brief sufficiently
established the merits. Inasmuch as Howard's brief falls woefully
short of compliance with HRAP Rule 28 in regard to the issue of prejudgment
interest, we decline to address this point. We affirm the judgment of
the family court in all respects.
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Reports
DEVLIN v. CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, 809 A.2d 980 (Pa.Commw. 8-29-2002)
No. 2568 C.D. 2000.
Filed: August 29, 2002.
William and Nancy Devlin, Mary Campbell, William and Dottie Free, and Dave
and Esther Miller (Appellants), who are residents and property owners
in the City of Philadelphia (City), appeal to this Court from two orders
of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The first order, entered
June 22, 1999, granted the preliminary objections of the City to Counts
I and II of Appellants' complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief,
and the second order, entered October 5, 2000, granted the City's
application for summary judgment on the remaining three counts of their
complaint.
California Courts of Appeal Reports
MEJIA v. REED, 97 Cal.App.4th 277 (2002)
H020771
Filed March 29, 2002 Modified April 24, 2002 REVIEW GRANTED June 12, 2002
In this appeal, we are called upon to decide whether a marital property
division may be subject to fraudulent transfer law. Resolving that issue
requires us to harmonize two independent statutory schemes, one that governs
fraudulent transfers and another that controls property division on divorce.
South Carolina Case Law
WIDMAN v. WIDMAN, 348 S.C. 97 (Ct.App. 2001)
Opinion No. 3416.
Filed December 10, 2001. Rehearing Denied January 17, 2002. Certiorari
Denied May 16, 2002.
This is a cross appeal in a divorce action. The issues on appeal concern
identification and valuation of marital property, equitable apportionment,
child support, and contempt. We affirm in part, reverse in part and remand.
Florida Case Law
JANOVIC v. JANOVIC, 814 So.2d 1096 (Fla.App. 1 Dist. 2002)
Case No. 1D00-3463
Opinion filed March 15, 2002. Rehearing Denied April 25, 2002.
Michael Janovic (former husband) raises three issues in this appeal from
an order entitled "Qualifying Court Order" rendered on July
18, 2000. We find no merit in the third issue concerning the calculation
of retirement pay awarded to Dora Janovic (former wife) and affirm as
to that issue without further discussion. We restate the other two issues
as follows: 1) Whether entry of the Qualifying Court Order violates the
United States Supreme Court's holding in Mansell v. Mansell, 490 U.S.
581 (1989), concerning the distribution of military disability retirement
benefits; and 2) whether entry of the Qualifying Court Order constitutes
an impermissible post-judgment modification of the equitable distribution
scheme contained in the parties' dissolution of marriage judgment.
We conclude that the order on appeal does not violate the holding in Mansell,
as interpreted by the Florida Supreme Court in Abernethy v. Fishkin, 699
So.2d 235 (Fla. 1997), because the order does not distribute disability
retirement benefits nor does the record demonstrate that the husband will
be required to utilize his disability benefits in order to comply with
the Qualifying Court Order. We also conclude that the order constitutes
permissible enforcement of an existing final judgment as it does nothing
more than enforce the parties' property settlement agreement, which
was incorporated into the consent final judgment of dissolution of marriage.
We therefore affirm.
Maryland Court of Special Appeals Reports
MILLER v. MILLER, 142 Md. App. 239 (2002)
No. 93, September Term, 2001
Filed: January 10, 2002
Although the instant appeal emanates from a divorce proceeding, the principal
issue raised is the authority of the Chancellor to determine whether legal
fees accrued and owed to the guardian
ad litem constitute child support or simply legal fees, no different from legal
fees awarded by the court to a husband or wife in any divorce proceeding
in which issues involving the best interest of minor children are litigated.
Recognizing that the authority to make this determination reposes with
the legislature, should this Court construe a statutory enumeration of
what constitutes child support as a statement that a conspicuous and substantial
expense omitted from that list, i.e., the legal fees payable to a guardian
ad litem, was not intended to be child support? Should we decide that the General
Assembly's action evidences an intent to relegate guardian
ad litem fees to the status of other legal fees, would any designation that such
fees are child support by this Court constitute establishment of public
policy, which is only within the purview of the legislature, in the first
instance, and, in the absence of legislative pronouncement, the Court
of Appeals?
Arkansas Cases
McWHORTER v. McWHORTER, 346 Ark. 475 (2001)
01-76
Opinion Delivered November 8, 2001
Appellant Gene McWhorter (Gene) appeals from an Amended and Supplemental
Order by the chancery court, which determined his average net monthly
income based on averaging income for the years 1995, 1996, and 1997 and
assessed an arrearage for retroactive child support for February 1997
through May 31, 1998. Gene raises five points on appeal: (1) gambling
winnings are not income for child-support purposes; (2) if gambling winnings
are properly included for child support purposes, these winnings should
be reduced by gambling losses; (3) the chancery court's calculations
of his income are flawed for child support purposes; (4) the chancery
court's averaging of income over three years was clearly erroneous;
and (5) the chancery court's retroactive award of child support from
February 19, 1997, was also clearly erroneous. We affirm in part and reverse
and remand in part.
Indiana Case Law
CARMICHAEL v. SIEGEL, 754 N.E.2d 619 (Ind.App. 2001).
No. 29A02-0011-CV-740.
August 31, 2001.
Debra Siegel Carmichael ("Mother" or "Respondent")
appeals the trial court's calculation of her child support obligation
for her children, R.S. and S.S., pursuant to a petition to modify child
support brought by Michael Siegel ("Father" or "Petitioner").
Mother also appeals the granting of sole legal custody of R.S. and S.S.
to Father, the trial court's visitation order regarding S.S., and
its refusal to find Father in contempt of court. We affirm in part, reverse
in part, and remand.
Oklahoma Case Law
DORN v. HERITAGE TRUST CO., 2001 OK CIV APP 64
No. 93448
Decided: April 27, 2001 Modified: June 5, 2001 Mandate Issued: May 25, 2001
1 After the Decree of Divorce was filed dissolving the fifty-three year
marriage of Bertha Z. Dorn (Wife) and Ralph Dorn (Husband), Wife filed
this appeal, alleging error in the trial court's determination, valuation
and division of marital property and its retroactive modification of her
temporary support alimony. In his counter-appeal from the same decree,
Husband alleges only that Wife's long-term care insurance proceeds
should have been treated as marital property.[fn1]
Tennessee Unpublished Opinions
HILLYER v. HILLYER, M1998-00942-COA-R3-CV (Tenn.App. 3-13-2001)
No. M1998-00942-COA-R3-CV.
Filed March 13, 2001.
This appeal involves issues relating to military retirement pay. Federal
law authorizes state courts to treat the "disposable retired pay
[of a service member] . . . either as property solely of the member or
as property of the member and his spouse," 10 U.S.C. § 1408(c)(1),[fn1]
thus allowing division of such retirement benefits as marital property
upon the dissolution of a marriage. However, "disposable retired
pay" does not include amounts deducted from that pay as a result
of a waiver of retired pay . . . in order to receive compensation under
. . . title 38 [disability pay]." 10 U.S.C. § 1408(a)(4)(B).
In order to receive disability pay, a former service member must waive
a corresponding portion of his or her retirement pay. 38 U.S.C. §
5305. Disability pay is exempt from federal, state and local taxation,
and this exemption provides an incentive for a former service member to
make the waiver which otherwise would have no economic impact.
Mansell v. Mansell, 490 U.S. 591, 583-84, 109 S.Ct. 2023, 2026 (1989).
Wisconsin Case Law
IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF WETTSTAEDT, 2001 WI App 94, 242 Wis.2d 709
Case No. 00-3061.
Opinion Released: March 8, 2001. Opinion Filed: March 8, 2001.
Diane Wettstaedt appeals an order which reduces the amount of maintenance
her former husband must pay to her by the amount of pension benefits she
receives under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)[fn1] entered
at the time of the divorce. She claims the trial court erred in reducing
the amount of Gary Wettstaedt's maintenance obligation because her
receipt of pension benefits does not constitute a substantial change in
circumstances, and because the trial court's order results in the
impermissible "double-counting" of the pension benefits as both
an asset for property division and as income for the maintenance determination.
We disagree and conclude the trial court did not erroneously exercise
its discretion in modifying the maintenance obligation in light of Diane's
receipt of pension benefits under the QDRO.
Washington Supreme Court Reports
DEAN v. LEHMAN, 143 Wn.2d 12 (2001)
No. 68281-0.
Decided February 8, 2001. Page 13
Suzanne Dean (Dean), wife of a Department of Corrections (DOC)[fn1] inmate,
sent money to her husband during his incarceration. She represents a class
of similarly situated persons (Class) challenging the validity of RCW
72.09.480, which mandates the deduction of 35 percent of all funds received
by prison inmates. The deductions are allocated in the following manner:
10 percent to an inmate savings account; 20 percent to contribute to the
cost of incarceration; and 5 percent to a victims' compensation fund.
Louisiana Case Law
HANSEL v. HOLYFIELD, 2000-0062 (La.App. 4 Cir. 12/27/00); 779 So.2d 939
No. 2000-CA-0062.
December 27, 2000.
Stephen Arthur Hansel and Sarah Holyfield Hansel were married in Florida
on November 16, 1985. At the time of the marriage, both Mr. and Mrs. Hansel
were employed by Barnett Bank in Jacksonville, Florida. Mrs. Hansel left
her employment with Barnett the year following the marriage in order to
stay home and help raise Mr. Hansel's children from a previous marriage.[fn1]
Louisiana Case Law
KELLY v. KELLY, 99 2478, (La.App. 1 Cir. 12/22/00); 775 So.2d 1237
No. 99 CA 2478
December 22, 2000.
The father appeals the judgment of the trial court ordering him to pay
$162.00 a month in child support for the care of his two minor children,
in addition to sums received by the children from the Social Security
Administration because of the father's disability, and ordering him
to pay 31 percent of the children's private school tuition.
Tennessee Unpublished Opinions
KING v. KING, M1999-02556-COA-R3-CV (Tenn.App. 8-22-2001)
No. M1999-02556-COA-R3-CV
Filed August 22, 2001 December 7, 2000 Session
This is a divorce case. Brenda King ("Wife") and Danny King ("Husband")
married in 1967. The parties had a tumultuous marriage marked by Husband's
alleged physical and emotional abuse of Wife. After 30 years of marriage,
in September 1997, Wife filed for divorce. The case was tried over two
days in April, 1999. At the time of trial, Wife and Husband were 51 and
53 years old, respectively.
Rhode Island Supreme Court Case Law
OLIVIERI v. OLIVIERI, 760 A.2d 1246 (R.I. 2000)
No. 99-253-Appeal. (P 97-1887)
Filed: November 1, 2000
This case came before the Court for oral argument on September 27, 2000,
pursuant to an order directing both parties to appear in order to show
cause why the issues raised by this appeal should not be summarily decided.
After hearing the arguments of counsel for Mario Olivieri, Jr. and Sherrie
L. Olivieri and examining the memoranda filed by the parties, we are of
the opinion that cause has not been shown and that the issues raised by
this appeal should be decided at this time.
Rhode Island Supreme Court Case Law
DIORIO v. DIORIO, 751 A.2d 747 (R.I. 2000)
No. 98-592-A.
May 17, 2000.
A Family Court magistrate granted Bernadine R. DiOrio's petition for
divorce from Ronald C. DiOrio, and thereafter proceeded to distribute
the marital estate, pursuant to G.L. 1956 § 15-5-16.1. Ronald C.
DiOrio appeals, arguing that the magistrate erred in apportioning and
distributing the marital estate. For the reasons hereinafter set out,
we sustain the appeal in part and remand the case to the Family Court
for redetermination of the marital portion of the plaintiff's retirement
pension; for a redetermination of the amount of any tax reduction to be
made on that pension, and for adjustment of the value of the Martha's
Vineyard property.
South Dakota Supreme Court Reports
PETERSON v. PETERSON, 2000 SD 58
No. 20979
Reassigned March 6, 2000. Opinion Filed May 3, 2000.
[1] In this divorce case, the trial court ordered David to pay $600 monthly
alimony to Gayle. David appeals and we affirm. Additionally, the referee
determined that alimony was not to be deducted from the income of payor
Father nor included in the income of the payee Mother for the purpose
of determining child support. The trial court affirmed. We reverse and
remand and hold that, for the purpose of determining child support, alimony
payments are deducted from the payor's income and included in the
payee's income.
Virginia Court of Appeals Unpublished Opinions
IVERSON v. IVERSON, Va. App. Unpublished (2000)
Record No. 0314-99-2.
April 25, 2000.
Ronald Iverson ("husband") appeals certain portions of a divorce
decree entered by the Circuit Court of Madison County. Incorporated into
that court's November 4, 1998 decree were the findings of fact and
conclusions of law from an opinion letter dated September 10, 1998.
Florida Case Law
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES REGULATING FLORIDA BAR, 763 So.2d 1002 (Fla. 2000)
No. SC95365.
Opinion filed March 23, 2000.
The Florida Bar, pursuant to Rule Regulating the Florida Bar 1-12.1, has
filed its annual proposed changes to the Rules Regulating The Florida
Bar. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. The Board of
Governors of The Florida Bar has approved all of the substantive changes
presented in this petition; and all the proposals, except several purely
technical revisions, were published for comment in accordance with rule
1-12.1(g).[fn1] Only two comments were filed.
Florida Case Law
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES REGULATING THE FL. BAR, SC95365 (Fla. 2000)
No. SC95365.
Opinion filed March 23, 2000 CORRECTED OPINION
The Florida Bar, pursuant to Rule Regulating the Florida Bar 1-12.1, has
filed its annual proposed changes to the Rules Regulating The Florida
Bar. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. The Board of
Governors of The Florida Bar has approved all of the substantive changes
presented in this petition; and all the proposals, except several purely
technical revisions, were published for comment in accordance with rule
1-12.1(g).[fn1] Only two comments were filed.
Florida Case Law
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES REGULATING THE FL. BAR, SC95365 (Fla. 2000)
No. SC95365.
Opinion filed March 23, 2000
The Florida Bar, pursuant to Rule Regulating the Florida Bar 1-12.1, has
filed its annual proposed changes to the Rules Regulating The Florida
Bar. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. The Board of
Governors of The Florida Bar has approved all of the substantive changes
presented in this petition; and all the proposals, except several purely
technical revisions, were published for comment in accordance with rule
1-12.1(g).[fn1] Only two comments were filed.
Florida Case Law
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES REGULATING THE FL. BAR, SC95365 (Fla. 2000)
No. SC95365.
Opinion filed March 23, 2000.
The Florida Bar, pursuant to Rule Regulating the Florida Bar 1-12.1, has
filed its annual proposed changes to the Rules Regulating The Florida
Bar. We have jurisdiction. Art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. The Board of
Governors of The Florida Bar has approved all of the substantive changes
presented in this petition; and all the proposals, except several purely
technical revisions, were published for comment in accordance with rule
1-12.1(g).[fn1] Only two comments were filed.
Rhode Island Supreme Court Case Law
GOODSON v. GOODSON, 744 A.2d 828 (R.I. 2000)
No. 98-503-Appeal.
January 21, 2000
This case came before us on the appeal of the defendant, George Osborn
Goodson, Jr., from an order of the Family Court that found him in contempt
of a prior order of that court with respect to payments from defendant's
military retirement pension to the plaintiff, Diana Goodson. This case
was assigned for oral argument, wherein the parties were ordered to appear
and show cause why the issues raised in this appeal should not be summarily
decided. After hearing the arguments of counsel and examining the memoranda
filed by the parties, we are of the opinion that cause has not been shown.
Therefore, we shall decide the issues raised by the parties at this time.
Tennessee Unpublished Opinions
SMITH v. SMITH, M1998-00937-COA-R3-CV (Tenn.App. 3-13-2001)
No. M1998-00937-COA-R3-CV.
Filed March 13, 2001. May 4, 1999 Session.
This appeal involves issues relating to military retirement pay. Federal
law authorizes state courts to treat the "disposable retired pay
[of a service member] . . . either as property solely of the member or
as property of the member and his spouse," 10 U.S.C. § 1408(c)(1),[fn1]
thus allowing division of such retirement benefits as marital property
upon the dissolution of a marriage. However, "disposable retired
pay" does not include amounts deducted from that pay as a result
of a waiver of retired pay . . . in order to receive compensation under
. . . title 38 [disability pay]." 10 U.S.C. § 1408(a)(4)(B).
In order to receive disability pay, a former service member must waive
a corresponding portion of his or her retirement pay. 38 U.S.C. §
5305. Disability pay is exempt from federal, state and local taxation,
and this exemption provides an incentive for a former service member to
make the waiver which otherwise would have no economic impact.
Mansell v. Mansell, 490 U.S. 591, 583-84, 109 S.Ct. 2023, 2026 (1989).
Tennessee Reports
HILLYER v. HILLYER, 59 S.W.3d 118 (Tenn.App. 2001)
No. M1998-00942-COA-R3-CV.
Filed March 13, 2001. April 15, 1999 Session.
This appeal involves issues relating to military retirement pay. Federal
law authorizes state courts to treat the "disposable retired pay
[of a service member] . . . either as property solely of the member or
as property of the member and his spouse," 10 U.S.C. § 1408(c)(1),[fn1]
thus allowing division of such retirement benefits as marital property
upon the dissolution of a marriage. However, "disposable retired
pay" does not include amounts deducted from that pay as a result
of a waiver of retired pay . . . in order to receive compensation under
. . . title 38 [disability pay]." 10 U.S.C. § 1408(a)(4)(B).
In order to receive disability pay, a former service member must waive
a corresponding portion of his or her retirement pay. 38 U.S.C. §
5305. Disability pay is exempt from federal, state and local taxation,
and this exemption provides an incentive for a former service member to
make the waiver which otherwise would have no economic impact.
Mansell v. Mansell, 490 U.S. 591, 583-84, 109 S.Ct. 2023, 2026 (1989).
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