A Florida court recently ruled on a divorce case involving the distribution of assets between Barry Edwin Twigg and Amanda Jean Twigg, now known as Amanda Harper. The District Court of Appeal of Florida decided that a 1963 Buick LaSabre, a classic car owned by Barry, should not be classified as a marital asset. This decision impacts how the couple's assets are divided following their divorce.
The ruling, issued on May 6, 2022, in the case identified by docket number 2D21-0543, addressed the classification and valuation of the Buick in the context of Florida's divorce laws. The court found that the car, which was gifted to Barry before the marriage, should not have been included in the marital property division.
Background
The parties involved in this case are Barry Edwin Twigg and Amanda Jean Twigg. Their marriage ended in divorce, prompting a legal dispute over the division of their assets. The couple had agreed on certain terms regarding the Buick prior to the final hearing, but the trial court made a decision that Barry contested.
Barry argued that the Buick was a nonmarital asset because it was gifted to him before the marriage. During the divorce proceedings, the car was stored on Amanda's brother's property for repairs that were not completed. Barry claimed that no marital funds were used to enhance the vehicle's value during their marriage, which further supported his position that the car should not be classified as a marital asset.
The Ruling
The District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Barry Twigg, reversing part of the trial court's decision. The court stated, "The trial court erred in classifying the former husband's 1963 Buick LaSabre as a marital asset subject to equitable distribution and further erred in valuing the Buick at $3,000." The court emphasized that the Buick had been gifted to Barry before the marriage and that there was no evidence of marital funds being used on the vehicle.
The court also noted that Barry and Amanda had previously agreed on the vehicle's value of $2,500, which the trial court had incorrectly valued at $3,000. The court ruled that the trial court should reclassify the Buick as a nonmarital asset, value it at $2,500, and adjust the amount Barry owed Amanda accordingly.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for how nonmarital assets are treated in divorce cases in Florida. By reaffirming that assets gifted prior to marriage are not subject to equitable distribution, the court clarified the legal standards surrounding asset classification. This decision may influence future divorce proceedings where similar disputes arise over the classification of assets.
Furthermore, the court's decision to adjust the valuation of the Buick affects the overall financial settlement between Barry and Amanda. The ruling reduced the amount Barry would owe Amanda by $1,000, reflecting the difference between the incorrect valuation and the agreed-upon value. This case serves as a reminder to couples going through divorce to clearly document asset values and classifications to avoid disputes.
What's Next
Following this ruling, the trial court will need to implement the appellate court's decision by reclassifying the Buick and adjusting the financial settlement accordingly. There is no indication in the court filing that either party plans to appeal this decision, and no related cases were mentioned.