Michael v. Michael

Facts

Appellant, husband, and respondent, wife, were married in 1972 and separated in 1987. In 1972 the parties moved to Arkansas were respondent was going to work for Southwestern Bell Corp. and appellant worked as a reporter for a local newspaper. Respondent received a promotion and moved to St. Louis, where appellant eventually was fired from Maritz, Inc. The couple agreed he would not seek outside employment, devoting his time to writing fiction. Respondent received another promotion and the parties moved to Oklahoma City, where appellant continued to pursue a writing career. He later abandoned his effort without having written a chapter. He then worked briefly in a food store and spent 8-9 months working in free-lance public relations. When not employed, the couple agreed appellant would be responsible for the general upkeep of the house and preparation of dinner. He spent several hours per day preparing the meal, but respondent claimed that his other domestic chores we re very lax. In the two years the couple lived in Oklahoma City, he drove respondent to work. In 1984 respondent was transferred to St. Louis, where appellant continued to cook dinner and periodically took respondent to work. At the time of trial respondent was earning over $70,000 per year with appellant receiving $75 per month in interest.