Mary Victoria Absher v. Charles Don Absher

Husband appeals the dissolution of marriage decree and the trial court's subsequent pendente lite order for Husband to pay $5,000 in attorney's fees for Wife's appeal. We affirm. Husband and Wife were married on December 8, 1978, in the state of California. Prior to their marriage, Husband had owned a successful furniture manufacturing business, which he had liquidated. Husband estimated his net worth upon marriage was $1.2 million. In the early years of marriage, Husband and Wife resided in California. In June 1979, Husband and Wife purchased a farm consisting of 153 acres in Perry County, Missouri. The farm was jointly titled in both Husband's name and Wife's name. They subsequently built a house on the land. At trial, Husband and Wife stipulated the house and farm were valued at $500,000. In 1980, Husband and Wife purchased another farm of 41.80 acres and in 1983 they purchased a farm of 119 acres. Each of these properties was jointly titled in both Husband's name and Wife's name. The parties stipulated at trial the 41.80-acre farm was worth $33,400 and the 119-acre farm was worth $83,300. Husband operated a business, Missouri Allco, Inc., which involved the ownership and leasing of two farms not in issue in this case. Husband and Wife opened a business together in 1989 called ""The Billiard Club,"" a bar and poolroom.