On appeal, Gwen Anderson contends that the circuit court erred in limiting the duration of the maintenance to 18 months. Norman Anderson cross-appeals. He asserts that the circuit court erred in awarding Gwen Anderson any maintenance. We reverse in part and affirm in part. Section 452.335.1, RSMo 1994, permits the circuit court to award maintenance if it finds that the spouse seeking it lacks sufficient property, including marital property apportioned to him or her, to provide for his or her reasonable needs and is unable to support himself or herself through appropriate employment.
Judicial preference is for maintenance awards of unlimited duration.
Id. Gwen Anderson argues that no evidence establishing a reasonable expectation of impending change in the parties' financial conditions justified a maintenance award of limited duration. We presume that the circuit court ordered termination of maintenance after 18 months because Gwen Anderson will be entitled to receive income distributions from Norman Anderson's retirement savings plan at that time. The retirement plan, however, is invested in stock funds, so the amount of distribution that Gwen Anderson will receive and the parties' future financial conditions are relatively uncertain. The circuit court awarded modifiable maintenance with no termination date. The court noted that instead of limiting the duration of the maintenance award, the husband should request the circuit court to modify the award if and when the wife's circumstances change.