Are there any exceptions to the bright line rule established by the Painter decision?
Yes. Perhaps the most annoying aspect of family law to many people is that it is so confusing. There are very few areas of family law where there are hard fast answers. In my view the answers to many family law issues are constantly in the “grey area.” There are exceptions to every rule and to every case. Many clients are utterly baffled as to how inconsistent the field of family law can be. It is important to note that the Painter decision does indicate that there can be some deviations from the bright line rule that the “cut off” date is when the complaint is filed. An important section of the Painter holding provides as follows: We are under no illusion that what we have said above will provide certain and ready answers to all questions which may arise as to whether particular property is eligible for distribution. We have sought only to implement the legislative intent, as we discern it, by settling forth what we believe should be the general governing rules. Individual problems mu
