In Re Marriage of Steinberg

Petitioner Sylvia Steinberg appeals from a judgment “on bifurcated issues” which divided the community property of the parties. Respondent here and below is Samuel Steinberg.

Background

This is the third trial and second appeal in this dissolution action, first filed in August 1969.

The parties were married in 1965, when Sylvia was 65 years old and Samuel was 60. Samuel owned various assets when they married; Sylvia owned nothing. Samuel was employed as a baker until some time after the parties separated. Sylvia was unemployed; her only income was from social security. They separated in August 1969. Sylvia claimed an interest in property concededly owned by Samuel when the parties married, which property, however, was held in joint tenancy when the parties separated. The status of this property was disputed.

The first judgment, entered in January 1971 after a full trial, was vacated by stipulation. A second trial was held and second judgment entered in December 1972. Sylvia appealed from this judgment. In December 1974, Division Four of this court filed an opinion, not certified for publication, in which numerous rulings were made concerning the determination of the…