Davis, C.J., concurring, in part, and dissenting, in part:
In this appeal, the majority opinion affirmed the trial court's ruling awarding
the parties' marital home to Mr. Drennen. As to this issue, I concur in the majority's ruling.
However, the majority opinion reversed both the trial court's ruling denying alimony and the
trial court's ruling on attorney's fees and credits given to Mr. Drennen in the equitable
distribution of marital property. As to the majority's rulings on the latter three issues, I
dissent.
In my review of the full record in this case, I found no evidence showing that
the circuit court abused its discretion in resolving the issues concerning equitable distribution
of marital property, alimony and attorney's fees. Moreover, there was no evidentiary
showing that the circuit court's factual findings were clearly erroneous. In the absence of
such evidence, this Court is precluded from disturbing the circuit court's ruling. See Syl. pt.
1, in part, Burnside v. Burnside, 194 W. Va. 263, 460 S.E.2d 264 (1995) ([A] final equitable
distribution order is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard; the underlying factual
findings are reviewed under a clearly erroneous standard[.]).
I must, therefore, dissent from the majority's decision to reverse the circuit
court's well-reasoned and factually supported rulings on the issues of alimony, equitable
distribution of marital property and attorney's fees. I am authorized to state that Justice
Maynard joins me in this separate opinion.