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Date: 06-18-2024
Case Style:
Jeremy Jones v. Bethany Young
Case Number: 2024 WY 64
Judge: Misha E. Westby
Court: District Court, Albany County, Wyoming
Plaintiff's Attorney:
Defendant's Attorney:
Description:
Laramie, Wyoming family law lawyers represented the parties in a divorce case.
[¶3] Jeremy Jones and Bethany Young executed their Post-Nuptial Property Agreement ("the agreement") two days after their wedding in 2014.[1] The parties separated after six and half years, with no children born of their marriage. Mr. Jones filed a complaint for divorce, and litigation ensued over the agreement's enforceability and how it applied to certain real and personal property the parties had accumulated during their marriage.
[¶4] The district court held a one-day trial. It received evidence and heard argument from Mr. Jones and Ms. Young regarding their interpretations of the agreement and how it should be applied to the disputed property; their individual contributions to the property; and their opinions as to the date of valuation for the marital home.
[¶5] The court also heard testimony about the value of the marital residence from Ms. Young and real estate professionals. Ms. Young testified she believed the real property was worth a little over a million dollars based on the Albany County Assessor's website. A certified residential appraiser, who had appraised the property at $775,000 two years prior to the trial, testified, and his appraisal was admitted into evidence. The court also heard from a licensed realtor who testified to his comparative market analysis report completed a few months before trial. He valued the property at a range of $890,000 to $925,000 with a suggested list price of $925,000.
[¶6] The court entered its Judgment and Decree of Divorce, disposing of the real and personal property in accordance with its interpretation of the agreement. Mr. Jones was awarded exclusive possession of the marital residence. But the court awarded the parties their respective contributions towards the home,[2] and ordered
The parties shall conduct another appraisal of the marital residence to have a current and accurate value of the residence as of 2023. Such appraisal will then be the determining value of the marital residence. However, in no case shall the marital residence be valued less than $925,000.00. Mr. Jones may select an appraiser of his choice. Following the appraisal, both parties shall split and divide evenly all remaining equity of the marital residence.
Jones v. Young, 2024 WY 64, S-23-0241 (Wyo. Jun 12, 2024)
Outcome: Mr. Jones timely appealed the district court's Judgment and Decree of Divorce.
Mr. Jones timely appealed the district court's Judgment and Decree of Divorce.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: