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A Big Day For Pedersen Law: Update in the Yourko v. Yourko Case

We are thrilled to announce that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has denied certiorari in the case of Yourko v. Yourko.

October 16, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has denied certiorari in the case of Yourko v. Yourko. This means the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision will stand as the final word, and it’s a fantastic outcome for our client, Lee Ann Yourko.

At the heart of this case (from Mr. Yourko’s position) was whether a veteran's disability benefits could factor into financial obligations in a divorce settlement. Michael Yourko, the petitioner, argued that federal law prevents disability pay from being considered in state court decisions. However, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in favor of our client, affirming that their marital agreement is valid and enforceable under state contract law and can be paid from any source of income of the ServiceMember. Of note, Mr. Yourko agreed to indemnify Ms. Yourko by entering into a valid marital contract; a court didn’t order this indemnification against his wishes. 

By declining to hear the case, SCOTUS has confirmed that the Virginia Supreme Court's unanimous decision is the law of the land. We are honored to have stood by Ms. Yourko and achieved this favorable result.