Opinion
No. 2D07-4806.
March 20, 2009. Rehearing Denied May 7, 2009.
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Pinellas County; Michael F. Andrews, Judge.
Jane H. Grossman of Law Office of Jane H. Grossman, St. Petersburg, for Appellant.
No appearance for Appellee.
Affirmed.
WHATLEY, J., and CASE, JAMES R., Associate Senior Judge, Concur.
VILLANTI, J., Concurs with opinion.
VILLANTI, Judge.
I fully concur in the decision to affirm the final judgment entered in this case but write to commend the trial court, whose final judgment is an outstanding example of a meticulously-crafted analysis under section 61.075, Florida Statutes.
It is apparent from the record that the former husband engaged in a predissolution lifestyle strategy that was designed to thwart a court of equity from doing justice, if and when the time came, between the former husband and his wife. Oftentimes, such devious behavior goes undiscovered by the trial court, or the careful fa¸ade created by one party is the only "reality" permitted in evidence. Here, the trial court went to great efforts to unravel "[t]he Respondent's financial dealings, [a] proverbial `riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.'" This was no easy task. Thus, I commend the trial court for its insight, patience, and valiant ability to do justice despite the numerous obstacles placed in its path by the former husband.