Marriage of Ward-Johnson and Johnson
Terry M. Johnson appeals from the judgment, which dissolved his marriage to Wendy D. Ward‑Johnson[1] and resolved the issues related to support, custody, and property division. Terry contends the trial court erroneously (1) upheld the validity of an interspousal quitclaim deed he executed in Wendy’s favor as to real property in Costa Mesa purchased by Terry and Wendy during the marriage (the Santa Ana Avenue property), and (2) denied Terry’s request that the community be reimbursed for the time, skill, and labor, which he devoted, as a general contractor, to improving the value of two additional properties that Wendy had acquired before the marriage and constituted her separate property.
We affirm the portion of the judgment awarding the Santa Ana Avenue property to Wendy as her separate property. Substantial evidence showed Terry’s execution of the quitclaim deed conveying his community property interest in the Santa Ana Avenue property to Wendy was not the product of undue influence.
We reverse the portion of the judgment denying Terry’s request for reimbursement to the community for the time, skill, and labor he devoted to Wendy’s separate property during the marriage. The trial court found Terry invested more than a minimal effort in the improvement of those properties. We remand to the trial court to determine the amount Wendy’s separate property increased in value as a result of Terry’s efforts and to order reimbursement to the community accordingly.
Comments on Marriage of Ward-Johnson and Johnson