Opinion ID: 1974156
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Adequacy of the Alimony Award

Text: Appellant next contends that the trial court's award of alimony in the amount of $100 per week was an abuse of discretion in view of the fact that court ordered spousal support had been $501 per week, and there had been no change in circumstances. This contention reveals a misunderstanding of spousal support. The purpose of an order of support is to assure a reasonable living allowance to the party requiring support. Commonwealth v. Turner, 258 Pa.Super. 388, 392 A.2d 848 (1978). The duty to provide spousal support is concomitant with the marital relationship, and terminates with the ending of the marriage. Remick v. Remick, 310 Pa.Super. 23, 456 A.2d 163 (1983). In this case, the husband continued support payment beyond the entry of the divorce decree on January 10, 1989, until the resolution of the financial and property claims between the parties. [4] This payment, however, does not set the basis for the award of alimony. There is no absolute obligation on the part of a supporting spouse to see that the dependent spouse's life style remains unchanged from that enjoyed during the marriage. The court in determining whether an award of alimony is necessary must consider the factors enumerated in 23 P.S. § 501(b) to determine only whether the party seeking alimony is able to provide for his or her reasonable needs through appropriate employment or other property. Hess v. Hess, 327 Pa.Super. 279, 475 A.2d 796 (1984). A review of the recommendation of the master and the opinion of the trial court confirms that those factors were properly considered. Accordingly, we affirm the order of the trial court on the issue of the adequacy of the award of alimony.