In re Marriage of Hutchins

The Supreme Court affirmed the order of the district court dissolving the marriage of Michele Hutchins and Michael Hutchins, holding that the parties’ premarital agreement was enforceable under Nevada law and that the district court did not abuse its discretion in its valuation or distribution of the parties’ marital estate.On appeal, Michele argued that the premarital agreement was unenforceable where she was presented with the agreement by attorneys she had never encountered before one week before the parties’ wedding date. The district court applied Montana law and enforced the agreement. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding (1) Nevada law applied to determine whether the premarital agreement was enforceable, and under Nevada law, the parties’ premarital agreement was enforceable; (2) the district court equitably apportioned the marital estate; and (3) the district court did not abuse its discretion by valuing some of the parties’ assets at the time of separation instead of at the time of dissolution. View "In re Marriage of Hutchins" on Justia Law