In Re Marriage of Ackerman

This is a consolidated appeal arising out of the dissolution of the marriage of Ann E. Ackerman (wife) and Boris M. Ackerman (husband). In the two appeals, wife respectively challenges the trial court’s valuation of husband’s medical practice and the award of child and spousal support. We reject those challenges and affirm the judgment.

FACTS

The parties married in August 1991 and legally separated in September 2001. During the marriage, they had two children. At the time of separation, Ethan was three and Audrey was one. Ethan was diagnosed with autism at age two and a half.

Husband is a licensed physician engaged in the practice of plastic surgery. He obtained his physician’s license in 1981 and received his board certification in plastic and reconstructive surgery in 1987, at which time he established his medical practice as a sole proprietorship known as Boris M. Ackerman, M.D. Wife signed a premarital agreement, reflecting the practice was husband’s separate property with a value of $162,000 as of the date of marriage. Any increase in the medical practice’s value would be deemed community property and subject to division upon dissolution. Upon dissolution, the…