GRIFFIN v. GRIFFIN (2019)

In this dissolution case, the former husband challenges the equitable distribution of the $ 72,000 he received from the settlement of his worker's compensation case. We summarily reject the former husband's argument that the trial court abused its discretion in finding that the settlement proceeds were subject to equitable distribution as a marital asset, but because only about $ 6,400 of the settlement proceeds remained as of the date of the final hearing,¹ a specific finding of misconduct was required for the court to include the entire amount of the settlement in the equitable distribution scheme. See Olivarez v. Olivarez, 250 So. 3d 872 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018)(“Absent a showing of misconduct, it is error to include assets in an equitable distribution scheme that have been diminished or dissipated during the dissolution proceedings.”) (internal quotations omitted); Walker v. Walker, 85 So. 3d 553, 555 (Fla. 1st DCA 2012) (“[I]n order to determine that a spouse has dissipated marital assets, the trial court must make a specific finding of intentional misconduct based on evidence showing that the marital funds were used for one party's own benefit and for a purpose unrelated to the marriage at a time when the marriage is undergoing an irreconcilable breakdown.”) (internal quotations omitted). Accordingly, we reverse the equitable distribution portion of the dissolution judgment and remand to the trial court for additional findings or reconsideration of the equitable distribution scheme. The dissolution judgment is otherwise affirmed.

Affirmed in part; Reversed and Remanded in part.

FOOTNOTES

1.   The former husband testified that he used the rest of the proceeds to pay legal fees, child support, and living expenses during the dissolution proceeding, but the trial court made no findings on the veracity of this testimony or the amount of the remaining settlement proceeds.

Per Curiam.

Wolf, Wetherell, and Makar, JJ., concur.