Van Camp v. Van Camp

53 Cal.App.17 (1921)

Facts

In 1914, H came from Indianapolis to Los Angeles. H brought to California property of great value, consisting largely of cash and stock securities. H organized the Van Camp Sea Food Company. The company was capitalized with 2,000 shares of stock at a par value of $100 each. He became the president and general manager and received up to January 1918, a salary of $1,000 per month. This salary was increased on January 1, 1918, to $1,500 per month. The packing company was a successful venture and produced large returns. In March of 1916, H married W, who was or had been an employee in the post office at San Pedro. W was then twenty-one years of age; H was about fifty-four years old. Immediately upon the marriage, H purchased a home in Los Angeles, spending $15,000, and the deed to the place was made to W. H also delivered to W a certificate of deposit representing a cash credit of $10,000 and a deed to a lot at San Pedro. W also got a cash allowance for household expenses which, at the time of the commencement of this proceeding, was $450; H also provided W with an automobile. H has appealed from a decree awarding to W the sum of $60,000, and determining that certain real and personal property is the separate property of W. The judgment in favor of the wife for $60,000 was made upon the finding of the court that the community property was of the value of $90,000 and that the plaintiff was entitled to two-thirds thereof. W appealed from the judgment in so far as it fixes the value of the community estate, it being the contention of the that the latter was of a value greatly in excess of $90,000.