EFTA Document EFTA01363335

Page 19 2014 V.I. LEXIS 45, *; 61 V.I. 13, ** expressly define a marital homestead, both the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Appellate Division of the United States District Court for the Virgin Islands have interpreted § 2305(a), (c) to hold that a "marital homestead" is any homestead in which a husband and wife both reside during the marriage and that is owned by one or both of the spouses. Civil Procedure > Judicial Officers > Judges > Discretion Family Law > Marital Termination & Spousal Support > Dissolution & Divorce > Property Distribution > Characterization > Marital Property Family Law > Marital Termination & Spousal Support > Dissolution & Divorce > Property Distribution > Characterization > Separate Property Family Law > Marital Termination & Spousal Support > Dissolution & Divorce > Property Distribution > Equitable Distribution > General Overview [HN3] The court may distribute personal property in accordance with V.I. Code Ann. tit. 16, § 109(4). However, the statute does not define marital property. Whether an asset is marital property or separate property for purposes of distribution of the marital estate is a matter reserved to the sound discretion of the trial court. Once these distinctions have been made, the trial judge has broad equitable powers in disposing of marital property. Family Law > Marital Termination & Spousal Support > Dissolution & Divorce > Property Distribution > Characterization > Marital Property [HN4] Although not specifically defined, marital property has been construed to encompass any property which the couple acquired during the marriage and which is subject to equitable distribution upon divorce. Family Law > Marital Termination & Spousal Support > Dissolution & Divorce > Property Distribution > Characterization > Marital Property Family Law > Marital Termination & Spousal Support > Dissolution & Divorce > Property Distribution > Classification > Retirement Benefits > Pensions [HN5] Considering the tremendous statutory examples and case law from other jurisdictions holding pension funds as marital property, the Virgin Islands has determined that a pension fund is marital personal property, subject to claim by the other spouse upon divorce. To the extent earned during the marriage, the pension benefits represent compensation for marital effort and are substitutes for current earnings which would have increased the marital standard of living or would have been converted into other assets divisible at dissolution. Subjecting the benefits to division is just, because in most cases the retirement benefits constitute the most valuable asset the couple has acquired and they both have relied upon their pension payments for security in their older years. Family Law > Marital Termination & Spousal Support > Dissolution & Divorce > Property Distribution > Classification > Degrees, Licenses & Enhanced Earnings [HN6] Most states hold that an educational degree is not marital property. Courts have consistently considered whether one spouse had postponed his or her own career and educational goals to support and contribute to the career and educational goals of the other spouse. They also acknowledge the injustice that occurs after a couple collectively works towards the attainment of an advanced educational degree or career goal, the For internal use only CONFIDENTIAL - PURSUANT TO FED. R. GRIM. P. 6(e) DB-SDNY-0053297 CONFIDENTIAL SDNY_GM_00199481 EFTA01363335