Section 15.27 Dissipation or Wasting of Assets

• Library: Family Law Deskbook and 2014 Supp

K. (§15.27) Dissipation or Wasting of Assets

If there is evidence that one spouse squandered marital properties, the trial court may order reimbursement in the dissolution proceeding. In re Marriage of Layton, 687 S.W.2d 214 (Mo. App. W.D. 1984) (citing Calia v. Calia, 624 S.W.2d 870 (Mo. App. W.D. 1981)); see also Schneider v. Schneider, 824 S.W.2d 942 (Mo. App. E.D. 1992). For example, when the marital residence is foreclosed on and one of the spouses has the means to prevent the foreclosure and ultimate loss of equity in the asset, the court may charge the offending party with the loss in the property division. Heins v. Heins, 783 S.W.2d 481 (Mo. App. W.D. 1990). In this vein, a Pennsylvania court has held...