Verdict . News

•Iowa Supreme Court affirmed parts of appeals court ruling while vacating others in Owen v. Brinker divorce case

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Rules on Spousal Support in High-Asset Divorce Case

The Iowa Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in the divorce case between Jason Owen and Alison Brinker, affirming parts of an appeals court decision while vacating others. The case addresses complex spousal support issues when high-income couples divorce after building successful businesses together.

•Case involved complex spousal support issues when high-income couple divorced after building successful business

•Nebraska Supreme Court established de novo review standard for motions to dismiss under Rule 6-1112(b)(6)

Nebraska Supreme Court

Nebraska Supreme Court Clarifies Pleading Standards in Ramaekers v. Creighton

The Nebraska Supreme Court issued a ruling December 12 in Ramaekers v. Creighton University, establishing important precedent for how courts review motions to dismiss and amendment requests. The decision clarifies standards that will affect future litigation involving educational institutions and nonprofit organizations.

•Court clarified that proposed amendment futility determinations receive de novo review despite abuse of discretion standard for amendment motions

•Vermont Supreme Court dismissed DCF's appeal as moot in emergency housing benefits case

Supreme Court of Vermont

Vermont Supreme Court Dismisses Emergency Housing Benefits Appeal as Moot

The Vermont Supreme Court dismissed as moot an appeal by the Department for Children and Families regarding eligibility calculations for the state's General Assistance Emergency Housing Program. The case involved a dispute over how the 80-day benefit limit should be calculated for fiscal year 2026.

•Human Services Board ruled that only FY26 days count toward 80-day housing limit

Supreme Court of North Carolina

NC Supreme Court Affirms Summary Judgment in Real Estate LLC Dispute

The North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's summary judgment ruling in a complex business dispute involving multiple real estate investment companies over membership and management of Yards at NoDa, LLC. The case, which began in 2016, involved claims of breach of fiduciary duty and constructive fraud between Gvest Real Estate and several defendant companies.

•North Carolina Supreme Court affirmed Business Court's summary judgment ruling in favor of defendants in real estate LLC ownership dispute

•Case involved competing claims over membership and management of Yards at NoDa, LLC between multiple real estate investment companies

Supreme Court of North Carolina

NC Supreme Court Reverses Collateral Estoppel Ruling in Child Welfare Case

The North Carolina Supreme Court reversed a Court of Appeals decision that applied collateral estoppel to bar a juvenile petition involving a child named A.D.H. The high court remanded the case to the trial court for further proceedings in the ongoing dispute between Carteret County Department of Social Services and the child's parents.

•North Carolina Supreme Court reversed Court of Appeals decision applying collateral estoppel to bar juvenile petition

•Case involves custody dispute between parents and Carteret County Department of Social Services over child A.D.H.

•Iowa Supreme Court addressed whether dismissal is appropriate sanction under Rule 1.413

Supreme Court of Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court Rules on Attorney Sanctions in Divorce Case

The Iowa Supreme Court issued a decision in *In re the Marriage of Matthew Kraus and Molly Kraus*, addressing whether dismissal of a petition to modify a divorce decree constitutes an appropriate sanction under Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.413 for allegedly frivolous filings.

•Court of Appeals decision partially affirmed, with case remanded for further proceedings

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Mass. High Court Affirms Ruling Against Property Owner in Development Dispute

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court affirmed a lower court's denial of relief to Penny A. Jean in a property development dispute. Jean had sought to overturn various rulings in a breach of contract case involving a failed joint venture agreement with business partners.

•Supreme Judicial Court affirmed denial of relief to property owner Penny A. Jean in development dispute

•Original case involved joint venture agreement for property subdivision that Jean allegedly breached

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts High Court Denies Pretrial Detention Appeal in Gun Case

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied Kyle Culotta's petition challenging his pretrial detention on multiple unlicensed firearm charges. Culotta argued that unlicensed gun possession should not qualify as grounds for dangerousness detention under state law.

•Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denied Kyle Culotta's petition challenging pretrial detention on unlicensed firearm charges

•Culotta argued that unlicensed gun possession should not qualify as grounds for dangerousness detention under state law

Supreme Court of North Carolina

NC Supreme Court Rules on Eminent Domain Rights in Sanders v. NCDOT

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued a decision in Sanders v. North Carolina Department of Transportation addressing whether property owners can abandon their right to seek damages for Map Act restrictions by not raising the issue in condemnation proceedings.

•North Carolina Supreme Court addressed whether property owners can waive Map Act damage claims by not raising them in condemnation proceedings

•Case builds on 2016 Kirby precedent that corridor mapping restrictions constitute government takings