Opinion ID: 2554333
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Securing the Spousal Support Obligation

Text: [¶ 23] Michael contends that the court misapplied the spousal support statute by ordering that Michael's spousal support obligation terminate upon his death, but also requiring Michael to secure the obligation in the event of his premature death. He also argues that the $32,500 mortgage creates the possibility of a windfall to Linda and that the judgment improperly permits the parties to replace the mortgage security with another security that is acceptable to Linda. [¶ 24] We review an award of spousal support for an abuse of discretion. Potter, 2007 ME 95, ¶ 6, 926 A.2d at 1195. The statutory presumption is that a spousal support obligation will terminate upon the death of either party, unless the court's order provides otherwise. 19-A M.R.S. § 951-A(8) (2009); Hess v. Hess, 2007 ME 82, ¶ 26, 927 A.2d 391, 397. If a spousal support award reveals an intent for the support to continue beyond the life of the obligated party, the award will be binding upon that party's estate. Levy, Maine Family Law § 8.5 at 8-25 (6th ed. 2009). The court may require the obligated party to maintain life insurance or to otherwise provide security for the payment of a spousal support obligation that is designed to survive the payor's death. 19-A M.R.S. § 951-A(7) (2009); Warner v. Warner, 2002 ME 156, ¶ 51, 807 A.2d 607, 625; see also Prue v. Prue, 420 A.2d 257, 260 (Me.1980) (affirming the use of a mortgage as security under an earlier version of the spousal support statute). [¶ 25] The court properly applied section 951-A(7) in requiring Michael to secure his spousal support obligation. The spousal support award demonstrates an intent for the support to continue beyond the life of the payor. As the judgment is written, if Michael dies prematurely, the spousal support obligation will remain in effect until one of the contingencies listed in the divorce decree occurs: Linda's death, remarriage, or cohabitation with a domestic partner; payment of $61,500 in spousal support; the passage of August 30, 2019; substitution of a security in a form or amount acceptable to Linda; or further order of the court. The spousal support obligation is binding on Michael's estate and is secured by the mortgage. The court also acted within its discretion in setting the amount of the security and in permitting the parties to agree to substitute some other form of security for the mortgage.