Sutliff v. Sutliff
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
528 A.2d 1318 (1987)
- Written by Mary Katherine Cunningham, JD
Facts
Gregory Sutliff (defendant) and his parents gave the children equal shares of assets collectively worth $466,000 under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA). Sutliff was the custodian of the assets given by the children’s grandparents, and Fred K. Collins, a business associate of Gregory, was the custodian of the assets given by Gregory to the children. During a divorce proceeding initiated by Carlene Sutliff (plaintiff), a court entered an interim support order against Gregory providing $400 per week for the children. Collins and Gregory used the UGMA funds to fulfill up to 75 percent of the support obligation ordered by the interim support order. Carlene filed a suit, alleging misuse of the children’s funds by Gregory and Collins. The trial court held the custodians could use the UGMA’s fund to fulfill Gregory’s support obligations to the children. The court entered a final support order requiring Gregory to pay $600 per week. Both parties appealed. Carlene argued the trial court improperly permitted Gregory to satisfy his support obligations from UGMA funds. Gregory argued he should not be required to support children with substantial assets in the form of UGMA funds.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Hutchinson, J.)
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