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In re the Marriage of Elena Mae Bell and Barrett Andrew Bell
Date: 09-04-2024
Case Number: 23-0540
Judge: Monica Zrinyi Ackley
Court: District Court, Dubuquer County, Iowa
Plaintiff's Attorney:
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Defendant's Attorney:
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Description:
Elena Bell petitioned to dissolve her three-year marriage with Barrett Bell in January 2022. And after a dissolution trial-in which Barrett had an attorney and Elena represented herself-the district court issued a decree dissolving their marriage in February 2023. Both parties appeal, challenging the property division in their dissolution decree. Barrett also argues that the district court failed to act as an impartial trier of fact. And both request an award of appellate attorney fees.
But Barrett did not preserve error on his challenge to the district court's impartiality. So we cannot consider it. And on our de novo review of the property division, we agree that the district court's division was equitable. But to avoid any potential confusion, we modify the decree to clarify that Barrett's $19,772 payment to Elena is the full extent of his responsibility for her debts and any remaining balance on the Discover credit card remains assigned to Elena-not Barrett. We thus affirm the decree as modified. And we decline to award either party appellate attorney fees.
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In re Marriage of Bell, 23-0540 (Iowa App. Sep 04, 2024)
Dubuque, Iowa divorce lawyers represented husband and wife.
Elena Bell petitioned to dissolve her three-year marriage with Barrett Bell in January 2022. And after a dissolution trial-in which Barrett had an attorney and Elena represented herself-the district court issued a decree dissolving their marriage in February 2023. Both parties appeal, challenging the property division in their dissolution decree. Barrett also argues that the district court failed to act as an impartial trier of fact. And both request an award of appellate attorney fees.
But Barrett did not preserve error on his challenge to the district court's impartiality. So we cannot consider it. And on our de novo review of the property division, we agree that the district court's division was equitable. But to avoid any potential confusion, we modify the decree to clarify that Barrett's $19,772 payment to Elena is the full extent of his responsibility for her debts and any remaining balance on the Discover credit card remains assigned to Elena-not Barrett. We thus affirm the decree as modified. And we decline to award either party appellate attorney fees.
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In re Marriage of Bell, 23-0540 (Iowa App. Sep 04, 2024)
Outcome:
Affirmed as modified.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of In re the Marriage of Elena Mae Bell and Barrett Andrew Bell?
The outcome was: Affirmed as modified.
Which court heard In re the Marriage of Elena Mae Bell and Barrett Andrew Bell?
This case was heard in District Court, Dubuquer County, Iowa, IA. The presiding judge was Monica Zrinyi Ackley.
Who were the attorneys in In re the Marriage of Elena Mae Bell and Barrett Andrew Bell?
Plaintiff's attorney: Click Here For The Best Dubuque Lawyer Directory. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Dubuque Lawyer Directory.
When was In re the Marriage of Elena Mae Bell and Barrett Andrew Bell decided?
This case was decided on September 4, 2024.