reimbursement

Jury for Five Days, Bench for Two

The appellate court affirmed a 79%/21% division of the community estate rendered after a five-day jury trial followed by a two-day bench trial. This was a complex case involving constructive fraud, reimbursement, economic contribution and other issues. The opinion is authored by the El Paso court's Justice McClure who is well-known for her expertise in family law. Phillips v. Phillips, No. 08-06-00171-CV (Tex. App. - El Paso Mar. 26, 2009).

Courtesy of Verner & Brumley, P.C. Dallas, Texas

No Alter Ego if Reimbursement Available

The trial court directed a verdict on the husband's counterclaim for alter ego against the wife and her separate property corporation. Piercing the corporate veil was not warranted because piercing is justified only when any harm to the community estate cannot be remedied by a reimbursement claim. The jury found that the amount of the husband's reimbursement claim equaled zero. Marcum v. Marcum, No. 01-04-01062-CV (Tex. App. - Houston [1st Dist.] June 12, 2008).

Courtesy of Verner & Brumley, P.C. Dallas, Texas