Opinion ID: 1591759
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: whether the trial judge abused his discretion in awarding rehabilitative alimony.

Text: Peggy was awarded rehabilitative alimony in the amount of $200 per month for the period of three years (i.e. $7200). As with ordinary alimony, the decision to award rehabilitative alimony is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court. Bradeen v. Bradeen, 430 N.W.2d 87, 88 (S.D.1988). Because each case is peculiar to its facts, the trial court is not bound to setting such awards with mathematical precision or within certain rigid parameters. Studt v. Studt, 443 N.W.2d 639, 643 (S.D.1989). In determining whether to award alimony the trial court should consider the length of marriage, the respective earning capacity of the parties; their respective financial condition after the property division; their respective age, health and physical condition; their station in life or social standing; and the relative fault in the termination of the marriage. Bradeen, 430 N.W.2d at 88. The marriage lasted approximately 10 years. Dale has a gross income of approximately $2009 per month. Peggy has a gross income of approximately $630 per month. Dale pays child support of $521 per month. Peggy was awarded the couple's marital home subject to an $8000 premarital interest which Dale retained in the property. Peggy was given 16 years to pay Dale his $8000 interest in the house or she could waive rehabilitative alimony in full satisfaction of the $8000. In all, marital property was essentially divided evenly between the parties. Both Dale and Peggy are apparently in good health and physical condition. The trial court did not specify either party was more at fault than the other. A trial court considering rehabilitative alimony should also consider, the amount of supporting spouse's contributions, his or her foregone opportunities to enhance or improve professional or vocational skills, and the duration of the marriage following completion of the nonsupporting spouse's professional education. Wilson v. Wilson, 434 N.W.2d 742, 745 (S.D.1989) citing Saint-Pierre v. Saint-Pierre, 357 N.W.2d 250, 262 (S.D.1984). This Court has stated that [t]he purpose of rehabilitative alimony is to put the supporting spouse in a position to likewise upgrade their own economic marketability. Bradeen, 430 N.W.2d at 88. As in Bradeen, the crux of Dale's argument is that there was no showing the marriage displaced Peggy's acquisition of job skills or occupational status. Peggy had been out of high school for at least seven years before marrying and during that time she continued working and gaining work experience. Throughout most of the marriage, she was able to maintain her premarital employment except for the ten month period following the birth of Tyler. She now makes less per hour than she did before Tyler's birth. She is entering a new profession and is being trained on the job. She believes she is improving herself and increasing her earning capacity by becoming a legal secretary. The trial court considered Peggy's recent profession change and awarded the rehabilitative alimony. After reviewing the record and the findings of fact and conclusions of law, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in awarding rehabilitative alimony.