In Re the Marriage of Annie M. Wallert and Brian E. Schade Upon the Petition of Annie M. Wallert, and Concerning Brian E. Schade, 16-1669

Annie Wallert and Brian Schade were in a recognized common-law marriage (began 2011) after meeting in 2005.
Schade won lottery prizes (2009) and purchased a home in his name; Wallert later received a wrongful-termination settlement (2011); neither party retained those settlement/lottery funds by trial.
Schade fell behind on property taxes in 2012; he quitclaimed the home to Wallert so she could obtain a loan and redeem the property from tax sale for $2,658.
Wallert moved out within a year, taking certain belongings; Schade later received a workers’ compensation settlement (2014) that was largely spent on vehicles.
Wallert filed for dissolution in November 2015; the district court (Sept. 2016) awarded the house to Schade and divided vehicles, personal property, and bank accounts between the parties; Wallert appealed the property division.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether the marital home should be awarded to Wallert (property division)	Wallert: the 2012 quitclaim deed to her makes the house her property and thus she should receive it	Schade: home is divisible marital property; equities favor awarding it to him because he acquired it before marriage, marriage was short, and property depreciated	Court: affirmed award to Schade as equitable — quitclaim enabled redemption but home is divisible and award was fair
Whether the district court ignored Wallert or relied on false testimony (credibility)	Wallert: court wasn’t listening; relied on Schade’s false testimony	Schade: district court made credibility determinations after hearing witnesses	Court: deferred to district court credibility findings; record does not support claim that court ignored her or relied on improper testimony
Whether appellate attorney fees should be awarded to Schade	N/A (Wallert appellate litigant seeking relief)	Schade: requests fees on appeal	Court: denied fees based on Wallert’s lack of assets/income and equitable considerations

In re Marriage of Veit, 797 N.W.2d 562 (Iowa 2011) (standard of appellate review in dissolution cases)
In re Marriage of Hansen, 733 N.W.2d 683 (Iowa 2007) (deference to district court credibility findings)
In re Marriage of Anliker, 694 N.W.2d 535 (Iowa 2005) (standard for disturbing property-division awards)
In re Marriage of Schriner, 695 N.W.2d 493 (Iowa 2005) (definition and treatment of divisible marital property)
In re Marriage of Sullins, 715 N.W.2d 242 (Iowa 2006) (property brought into marriage is one factor in equitable distribution)
In re Marriage of Berning, 745 N.W.2d 90 (Iowa Ct. App. 2007) (deference to district court credibility determinations)
In re Marriage of Wood, 567 N.W.2d 680 (Iowa Ct. App. 1997) (factors for awarding appellate attorney fees in dissolution appeals)