Opinion ID: 1846792
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Marital Pension Benefits Previously Awarded as Property

Text: When calculating Raymond's monthly income, the district court subtracted the portion of Raymond's pension income ($795.64) previously awarded to him as marital property, [9] and the court of appeals affirmed the district court's decision. Lee, 749 N.W.2d at 57. Elaine argues that the district court's exclusion of Raymond's pension income previously awarded to him as marital property was error. We disagree. Minnesota Statutes § 518A.39, the provision authorizing the modification of a maintenance order, cautions courts that all divisions of real and personal property provided by section 518.58 shall be final, and may be revoked or modified only where the court finds the existence of conditions that justify reopening a judgment under the laws of this state, including motions under section 518.145, subdivision 2. Minn.Stat. § 518A.39, subd. 2(f). In other words, absent mistake, fraud, newly discovered evidence, or other extraordinary circumstances, see Minn.Stat. § 518.145, subd. 2 (2008), courts may not upset the division of marital property made at dissolution in the course of modifying a maintenance order. When calculating Raymond's monthly income, considering Raymond's marital pension benefits previously awarded to him as property would not necessarily divest Raymond of his marital property; he might have sufficient other income from which to pay the maintenance award. But including marital pension benefits previously awarded as property in Raymond's income would potentially increase the total amount of Raymond's maintenance obligation. This is akin to putting money into Raymond's left pocket while simultaneously removing money from his right pocket, in effect modifying the prior property division without finding the existence of the factors set forth in Minn.Stat. § 518.145, subd. 2. [10] Here, when calculating Raymond's monthly income, we conclude that the district court properly declined to consider his pension income previously awarded to him as marital property.