John J. Cronan v. Laurie A. Cronan

Summary

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed the Family Court’s decision, holding that the defendant’s challenge to the general magistrate’s authority was waived, and that the magistrate did not err in the equitable distribution of assets, the valuation of premarital assets, the valuation of the plaintiff’s RIMI interest, or the denial of alimony. The Court applied the raise‑or‑waive rule and an abuse‑of‑discretion standard to the magistrate’s findings. The decision also clarifies procedural requirements for appeals from magistrate orders.