TITLE 32

DOMESTIC RELATIONS

CHAPTER 7

DIVORCE ACTIONS

32-712.  Community property and homestead — Disposition. In case of divorce by the decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, the community property and the homestead must be assigned as follows:

1.  The community property must be assigned by the court in such proportions as the court, from all the facts of the case and the condition of the parties, deems just, with due consideration of the following factors:

(a)  Unless there are compelling reasons otherwise, there shall be a substantially equal division in value, considering debts, between the spouses.

(b)  Factors which may bear upon whether a division shall be equal, or the manner of division, include, but are not limited to:

(1)  Duration of the marriage;

(2)  Any antenuptial agreement of the parties; provided, however, that the court shall have no authority to amend or rescind any such agreement;

(3)  The age, health, occupation, amount and source of income, vocational skills, employability, and liabilities of each spouse;

(4)  The needs of each spouse;

(5)  Whether the apportionment is in lieu of or in addition to maintenance;

(6)  The present and potential earning capability of each party; and

(7)  Retirement benefits, including, but not limited to, social security, civil service, military and railroad retirement benefits.

2.  If a homestead has been selected from the community property, it may be assigned to either party, either absolutely, provided such assignment is considered in distribution of the community property, or for a limited period, subject in the latter case to the future disposition of the court; or it may be divided or be sold and the proceeds divided.

3.  If a homestead has been selected from the separate property of either, it must be assigned to the former owner of such property, subject to the power of the court to assign it for a limited period to the other spouse.

History:

[(32-712) 1874, p. 634, sec. 12; R.S., sec. 2480; reen. R.C. & C.L., sec. 2670; C.S., sec. 4650; I.C.A., sec. 31-712; am. 1965, ch. 63, sec. 1, p. 98; am. 1980, ch. 378, sec. 9, p. 964.]