MAHONEY V. MAHONEY 453 A.2d 527 (1982) CASE BRIEF

MAHONEY V. MAHONEY

453 A.2d 527 (1982)

NATURE OF THE CASE: This was a dispute over the value of a professional degree upon divorce. Wife (D), appealed a decision holding that Husband's (P) professional degree was not property subject to equitable distribution and denying D any recovery for contributions made to P's professional education.

FACTS: 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.

ISSUE:

RULE OF LAW:

HOLDING AND DECISION:

LEGAL ANALYSIS:

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