Marriage Of Harris And Harris

244 P.3d 801 (2010)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

H and W were married in March 1990. H was a full-time college student. W worked full time for the State of Oregon and attended college classes part-time. In 1992, H completed his undergraduate degree and began dental school. W continued to work full time and to attend classes 'sporadically,' but stopped attending classes in 1993 after the parties' first child was born. The parties shared childcare and household responsibilities, with W assuming the larger portion. W's job provided the family with financial support and health insurance. H contributed by way of student loans, money earned working occasionally in his father's dental office and at a few odd jobs, and, during one year, monthly $1,000 workers' compensation payments. In 1996, H graduated from dental school and joined his father's dental practice. H earned more than $100,000 annually and became the family's primary wage-earner. After the parties' second child was born in 1997, W left her employment and assumed primary childcare and household responsibilities. In 1998, H's father sold H an interest in his practice at a substantially below-market price. H's earned income increased dramatically, averaging slightly more than $355,000 per year from 2002 to 2005 and more than $407,000 in 2006, in addition to rental income in each of those years averaging $23,000. In 1999, W began to work in H's business approximately 10 hours each week planning office parties, making bank deposits, paying bills, completing data entry, mailing letters, and running errands. She continued to do so until the parties separated in February 2006, after approximately 16 years of marriage. H was 37 years old, and W was 38 years old. Both parties were in good health. W intended to complete her undergraduate degree and to pursue a graduate degree in business, but that, even if she did not, she could earn between $30,000 and $40,000 per year as a state employee, at a job for which she is already qualified. The trial court divided the real and personal property equally; each party received assets valued at $720,402. H was ordered to pay W $1,087 per month in child support; $3,000 per month in transitional spousal support for four years; and $4,000 per month in maintenance spousal support for six years stepped down to $2,500 per month for two years followed by $1,000 per month for one year.' The court refused compensatory spousal support for W. The trial court had found that both parties have contributed to the accumulation of assets during the marriage. W primarily in the early years and H after his dental practice became established. This resulted in over $1,000,000 in net assets that the parties are dividing. W appealed, and the trial court was affirmed. W appealed.