![]() ♦ As might be expected, given Natalia s difficulty with the English language, the parties relate different versions of the events surrounding the signing of the antenuptial agreement. Due to his inability to work, the denial of disability benefits and the mounting medical bills, Steve s financial situation had deteriorated by the time of the dissolution hearing. Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration denied his disability claim, and Steve incurred significant medical costs from his fall. The State Board of Medical Examiners refused to reinstate his medical license until he had been thoroughly reviewed by a teaching hospital with significant experience in head trauma. ♥ Because of his head injury, Steve was unable to work as a medical doctor in his private practice. By the time of the hearing in April 2002, she had cleared up the greencard issue, was working a part time job and renting an apartment of her own. Natalia was then forced to stay at a women s shelter and then at various friends houses. Steve s guardian paid the rent for an apartment for Natalia until Steve regained control of his finances and stopped the payments. Natalia had problems with her greencard and could not legally work until that matter was resolved. ♤ Since the accident and subsequent separation, each party has encountered difficulties. Shortly thereafter, Steve instituted dissolution proceedings. On his return home in February, Steve discovered that Natalia had moved out, 2 and his court-appointed guardian had purchased a new Subaru station wagon for her and was providing money to her for expenses. Steve fell down the stairs in his home and suffered a traumatic head injury in December of that same year. However, the marriage was not destined to last long. After signing an antenuptial agreement, Natalia and Steve were married on September 20, 2000. Steve and Natalia had to decide whether to opt for marriage or to return Natalia and Dmitri to Russia. As their courtship unfolded, they found the time left on the fiancée visa was quickly running out. Later, Steve brought Natalia and her son Dmitri to Butte, Montana, under the auspices of a fiancée visa. Steve and his daughter traveled to Russia to meet Natalia and her family face to face. ![]() In his search for companionship he struck up an internet romance with Natalia, a Russian woman. ![]() Was the division of property and award of maintenance equitable? BACKGROUND ♣ Steven Shirilla (Steve) was a medical doctor in private practice in Butte, Montana, living with his teenage daughter from a previous marriage. Was the antenuptial agreement enforceable? and 2. ♢ We address the following issues on appeal: 1. Otherwise, each party was to keep the personal and real property that he or she had prior to marriage. After invalidating the antenuptial agreement, the District Court awarded Natalia the car she had been driving, twenty months of maintenance, and fees for her immigration attorney. ♡ Appellant Steven Shirilla appeals the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the District Court, dissolving his marriage to Natalia Shirilla. William Leaphart delivered the Opinion of the Court. Atcheson, Attorney at Law, Butte, Montana Submitted on Briefs: OctoDecided: FebruFiled: _ Clerk Justice W. McGee, Attorneys at Law, Butte, Montana For Respondent: Brian T. DR 2001-213, Honorable Kurt Krueger, Presiding Judge COUNSEL OF RECORD: For Appellant: Patrick D. APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Second Judicial District, In and For the County of Silver Bow, Cause No. 03-171 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA 2004 MT 28 IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF STEVEN JOHN SHIRILLA, Petitioner and Appellant, and NATALIA N.
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