Rep. Rick White's Divorce Granted

PORT ORCHARD - U.S. Rep. Rick White is divorced, after a four-day trial that focused on the finances of the Republican congressman and his wife, Vikki.

Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Karlynn Haberly delivered her decision yesterday, saying she based it on allowing Vikki White and the couple's four children to continue living on Bainbridge Island.

Vikki White had sought 82 percent of Rick White's monthly take-home pay of $9,000 and 67 percent of the couple's community assets. Rick White had sought a 60-40 split, with Vikki White getting the majority.

Haberly decided Vikki White should get 66.5 percent of the assets, including $100,000 of the proceeds from the sale of their house. Rick White will get $22,800.

She ordered Rick White, who is an attorney, to pay $5,200 a month in spousal maintenance and child support, leaving him $3,800 a month to live on. Rick White must pay the spousal maintenance for six years, along with up to $10,000 for college expenses over the next four years if Vikki White decides to pursue more education.

"I believe Judge Haberly's ruling was fair, and I'm glad these issues are now behind us so that we can focus on raising our children," Rick White said in a statement.

Vikki White said she also was satisfied with the judge's decision.

The Whites were married for 16 years. The trial did not address reasons for the divorce.

"I've struggled with that a lot," Vikki White said. "I don't know why."

But she indicated the decision for her and the children to stay on Bainbridge when Rick White was in Washington, D.C., may have contributed.

"That would put strain on any Ozzie and Harriet marriage," she said. "If I had to do it over again, I would move to D.C."

Rick White was elected in 1994 to represent the 1st Congressional District, which includes parts of Kitsap, King and Snohomish counties.