By: Derek Hawkins//November 1, 2017//
WI Court of Appeals – District III
Case Name: Seng Xiong v. Lang C. Vang
Case No.: 2016AP1281
Officials: Stark, P.J., Hruz and Seidl, JJ
Focus: Abuse of Discretion – Divorce Proceedings
Lang Vang appeals from a divorce judgment terminating his marriage to Seng Xiong. Vang argues the circuit court erred by granting a judgment of divorce because he and Xiong were never validly married. Vang alternatively argues that, even if the parties’ marriage was valid, the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion with respect to property division and maintenance.
We conclude that, under the facts of this case, the circuit court properly determined the parties had a legally recognizable putative marriage, pursuant to our prior decision in Xiong ex rel. Edmondson v. Xiong, 2002 WI App 110, 255 Wis. 2d 693, 648 N.W.2d 900. We further conclude the court properly exercised its discretion in dividing the parties’ property and awarding maintenance to Xiong for an indefinite duration. We therefore affirm.
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