Melvin (P or H) and June (D or W) were married in 1971. From 1975 until 1977, H attended the Wharton School and got an MBA degree. During that time frame, W contributed about $24,000 to the household, H made no financial contribution, and the educational expenses were $6,500 and were paid for by veteran's benefits and payment from the Air Force. After getting his degree, H went to work as a commercial lending officer for Chase Manhattan Bank. W got a master's degree in microbiology in a part-time graduate program at Rutger's University that ended one year after the parties had separated. In 1979, H sued for divorce, and in May 1980, the divorce was granted. The only issue at trial was W's claim for reimbursement for the support she gave H while he got the degree. The trial court decided that W should be reimbursed in that the degree under these circumstances was a property right. The trial court did not determine the value of the degree but the court ordered a reasonable amount be reimbursed and ordered $5,000 paid over but gave no explanation how the decision was reached. H appealed. The appeals court reversed.

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.