In Re the Marriage of Perkal

Jeri M. Perkal (Wife) appeals from a portion of the judgment entered in the proceeding dissolving her marriage to Michael L. Perkal (Husband).

The facts pertinent to this appeal are as follows: In August 1979, Michael L. Perkal purchased a single family dwelling for $152,500 as his sole and separate property. At that juncture, he was single, having divorced his first wife. His two sons from that marriage lived with him.

In May 1983, he married Jeri M. Perkal, appellant herein. They lived in the home he had purchased in 1979.

In January 1984, Husband became embroiled in litigation with his first wife about custody and child support of their two sons. Concerned that a court might seek to use Husband’s equity in his home to satisfy its orders, Wife persuaded him to place the property in both of their names. Wife obtained a document entitled “Grant Deed Joint Tenancy.” The first preprinted line recited: “For A Valuable Consideration Receipt of Which is Hereby Acknowledged.” At Husband’s direction, Wife struck out all but the first two words of that line (“For A”) and added the word “Gift” so that as executed the document read: “For A Gift, Michael L. Perkal does hereby…