(Daily Mail) - The division of assets between a couple who refused to give an inch in a bitter divorce battle that lasted more than a decade has finally been settled.
- Couple's 11-year divorce battle finally ends
- Asset pool of just under $1million fought over
- Wife awarded 60 per cent of the asset pool
After eleven years the court imposed an asset split on the former married couple, with the ex-wife receiving 60 per cent.
The long-running battle over $1million in marital assets led to the wife's lawyers putting a caveat on the family's home to ensure their bill was paid - and despite the house being the main asset contested by the pair.
Handing down the asset division in February, Justice Michael Baumann said it would be 'too excruciating' to recite the case's history as it had 'at least six trial listings', with at least nine different judges or registrars hearing the matter.
A mediation session between the duelling duo pre-trial had also failed.
The court heard the couple got married in 1994 and divorced three years later before reconciling and remarrying in 2003, but then separated again in August, 2011.
The case was finally set down for trial in 2022 but Justice Baumann said the couple were not forthcoming, The Daily Telegraph reported.
'Neither party in their trial material chose to give any substantial evidence about the contributions and financial arrangements,' Justice Baumann said.
'I hold no real concerns the wife, although clearly embittered, provided the Court honest and believable evidence. The husband, by comparison, was vague and unresponsive.
'His constant refrain that, as an unrepresented litigant, he did not know what he was meant to do, is not accepted by the Court.'
The couple's asset pool totalled just under $1million with the judge ordering the wife to receive 60 per cent, meaning he will need to pay her just over $436,000.
The husband will also have to pay her outstanding spousal maintenance of $74,100 but will be allowed to keep the house as long as he pays his ex-wife the money within 90 days.
By Ben Talintyre - Daily Mail Australia April 8, 2023
