Last-Minute Inheritance Still Counts

In a case involving really bad timing, the Appeals Court found that the Probate and Family Court properly considered the husband’s substantial inheritance that vested after the final day of trial but prior to the judgment of divorce nisi.  The Husband argued that the marital estate should be identified at the close of trial.  The Wife argued that the marital estate should be identified at the date of divorce.  In upholding the lower court judgment, the Appeals Court noted the wide judicial discretion in the area of property division.  Nicholas v. Nicholas, 2010 Mass App. Unpub. LEXIS 593 (May 28, 2010) (Unpublished)