Share And Share Alike

In Broadbent v. Broadbent, the trial court had granted the wife $51,500 in alimony in solido on the theory that the husband had gambled away the couple's money in the stock market.

The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the husband's stock market activity did not constitute "dissipation" of the couple's assets. The purpose of the speculation was actually to increase the marital estate so that the couple could purchase their dream home. Further, the wife acquiesced in the husband's risky investment strategy. If the investments had been successful, the wife would have shared the profits. But since the investments failed, she must also share the losses.