Family Law

Property Division, German Style?

By Alexander Rhoads

German man chain saws house in two in divorce split, takes his half

According to numerous news sources, a 43-year-old German decided to settle his divorce by chain sawing a family home in two and making off with his half in a forklift truck.

Police in the eastern town of Sonneberg said the trained mason measured the single-story summer house ? which was some 8 meters (26 feet) long and 6 meters wide ? before chain sawing through the wooden roof and walls.

"The man said he was just taking his due," said a police spokesman. "But I don't think his wife was too pleased."

After finishing the job, the man picked up his half with the forklift truck and drove to his brother's house, where he has since been staying.

Full post as published by Iowa Divorce and Family Law on March 13, 2007 (boomark / email).