Robinson v. Robinson

• Citation: 548 S.W.2d 155
• Parties: Dorris Joe ROBINSON, Appellant, v. Ruthie Jane ROBINSON, Appellee.
• Decision Date: 18 February 1977
• Court: Kentucky Court of Appeals

Page 155

548 S.W.2d 155

Dorris Joe ROBINSON, Appellant, v. Ruthie Jane ROBINSON, Appellee.

Court of Appeals of Kentucky.

Feb. 18, 1977.

Sam T. Jarvis and James Tardio, Jarvis, Payton & Kinney, Greenville, for appellant.

Harold M. Streets, Streets & Cisney, Greenville, for appellee.

Before HAYES, LESTER and PARK, JJ.

HAYES, Judge.

This appeal arises out of a property disposition made in connection with a decree of dissolution of marriage. The appellant, Dorris Joe Robinson, contends that the trial court should have made specific findings of fact as to the value of certain properties and that the division of property was unfair.

During marriage appellant and appellee, Ruthie Jane Robinson, were the owners of a market and a drive-in restaurant. Appellant had purchased the drive-in restaurant prior to the marriage, but final payments were made on this business after marriage which amounted to 11/30 of the purchase price. Before marrying appellant, appellee had been 1/2 record owner of the Apple House Market. The parties then purchased the entire interest in the market and a deed from appellee and her brother was given to appellee and her husband. In addition to the above properties, the parties also bought a home while married. The trial was by deposition and following the close of proof the special judge, William G. Fuqua, made determinations concerning custody, support and disposition of property.

With regard to the above mentioned property, the trial judge divided it as follows:

1. The Apple House Market and property was awarded to appellee, Ruthie Jane Robinson.

2. The drive-in restaurant was awarded to the appellant.

3. The family residence was awarded to the appellant. Furthermore, the appellant was required to assume all of the indebtedness on these properties.

It is appellant's contention that this disposition of property is not just and reasonable as is required by KRS 403.190 and Colley v. Colley, Ky., 460 S.W.2d 821. To substantiate their argument, appellant presents a comparison table of values received by the parties. This table is based upon figures extracted from the record. Using either the figures of the tax commissioner or those of the appellee it appears that the disposition is inequitable.

This court, however, cannot rectify this apparent inequitable distribution since it cannot from the findings of fact and conclusions of law determine if, in fact, this disposition is inequitable. The trial judge, in his findings and conclusions, did not make specific findings as to the values of the property awarded and did not make a determination as to what...