Chapter 25 - Delphine’s last civil claim
Near the end of the divorce, Delphine filed one remaining claim.
She argued that the terrace and pool improvements increased Ashford House’s value by:
$1.1 million.
Even if she did not own title, she sought a share of appreciation attributable to marital effort.
Depending jurisdiction and prenup language, that was not frivolous.
Our agreement specifically addressed appreciation:
Passive appreciation remained separate.
Increase directly attributable to reimbursable marital contributions could support a limited adjustment.
So we hired neutral valuation experts.
Before renovation house value:
$8.4 million.
At separation:
$10.1 million.
But market growth accounted for much.
Renovations contributed estimated:
$620,000 to $760,000.
Delphine’s net unreimbursed legitimate contribution represented only part.
The divorce settlement’s reimbursement provision already compensated much of that.
Neutral mediator recommended an additional:
$95,000 appreciation credit.
I could have fought.
My lawyer believed outcome range broad.
I paid.
Why?
Because a valid narrow claim should not be denied simply because broader claims were false.
May you like
That closed the property fight.
Primary conflict finally ended.
