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Case No. 23-0805

For summaries from opinions prior to August, 2018, view PDF versions here

In re the Marriage of Rasmussen

Benjamin Michael Rasmussen, Petitioner-Appellant

Alexis Michelle Rasmussen, Respondent-Appellee

Attorney for Appellant

Jaclyn M. Zimmerman

Attorney for Appellee

Andrew B. Howie and James R. Hinchliff

Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals Opinion

Opinion Number:
23-0805
Date Published:
Aug 07, 2024
Summary

            Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Scott D. Rosenberg, Judge.  AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.  Considered by Schumacher, P.J., and Ahlers and Langholz, JJ.  Opinion by Langholz, J.  (7 pages)

            Ben Rasmussen appeals the property division in the decree dissolving his marriage with Alexis Rasmussen.  He argues that it is inequitable for the district court to order him to pay $20,000 to Alexis for her “lost equity” in a Mercedes Benz that she transferred to him during the marriage.  OPINION HOLDS: Alexis’s “lost equity” is not an asset or debt subject to division.  Nor could a $20,000 payment that makes the property division less equal be an equalization payment.  And so, on our de novo review, we modify the property division to strike Ben’s $20,000 payment obligation to Alexis and otherwise affirm.

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