Question:
Is it possible for me to collect on things that I have paid for for my wife’s benefit? I’ve paid for her tuition for online classes, overseas vacations, and plastic surgery. We’re now getting divorced so is it possible to be reimbursed for those costs?
Answer:
First let me preface my answer by stating that I am not licensed to practice law in the state of South Carolina and you should always seek the advice of an attorney who practices in your jurisdiction before proceeding.
In every case, a court must determine how to divide the assets and liabilities of a marriage. One of the many issues that a court may face is when a marital asset or income is expended to only benefit one spouse, then how does the Court treat that issue.
Generally, it will depend upon the state and the issues of the marriage. If there is a liability associated with any of these things, such as student loans or loans for surgery, then the Court may allocate those debts to your wife, since she received the benefit. If there are no debts, then it will be impossible for the Court to make the cash re-appear, but the Court may offset those expenditures with the current assets.
You should speak to an attorney in your jurisdiction to determine how South Carolina will treat this issue.
Jason Bowman is an attorney in the Louisville, Kentucky office of Cordell & Cordell. He is licensed in the states of Kentucky and Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Louisville, and received his Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University.