Opinion ID: 1143506
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Order Requiring Kenneth to Make Payments on Property Awarded to Marla.

Text: Kenneth asserts that the order requiring him to make payments on property awarded to Marla was in effect an order requiring him to pay alimony. The trial court stated that this order was based in part on a recognition of Marla's contribution of premarital assets. As discussed above, such a credit is proper. Despite the trial court's statement that no spousal support is awarded because of the [disparate] property division, the order that Kenneth make loan payments for a year is indeed equivalent to an award of temporary alimony. Although alimony is not favored, it can be awarded when just and necessary. AS 25.24.160(3). This court has held that the same Merrill factors used when making a property division provide guidance in determining whether an award of alimony is proper. Messina v. Messina, 583 P.2d 804 (Alaska 1978). In this case, the court reviewed the Merrill factors and determined that a greater share of the marital assets should be awarded to Marla. The record indicates that Marla's salary would not cover the payments due on the property awarded to her. The court ordered Kenneth to make the payments for almost two years. This was to ensure that the property it awarded to Marla would not be lost in foreclosure before she had a chance to reorganize her financial affairs in accordance with her changed circumstances. The award was of limited duration and for a specific purpose. Bussell v. Bussell, 623 P.2d 1221, 1224 (Alaska 1981). In these circumstances, the support award appears both just and necessary and the trial court did not abuse its discretion. Messina, 583 P.2d at 804-05. [7]