Opinion ID: 1197842
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Spousal Support and Attorney's Fees

Text: Fran's final argument on appeal is that the superior court's total property award to her is inadequate to meet her existing medical bills, attorney's fees, future medical expenses, and reorientation and rehabilitative needs. Therefore she contends that the trial court erred in not awarding spousal support [9] or attorney's fees and costs. At trial, Fran called Dr. Vincent Gollogly as an expert witness. Dr. Gollogly is a vocational rehabilitation counselor and psychologist. He met with Fran, performed various aptitude and intelligence tests, reviewed her medical records, and spoke with a representative from the University of Washington Pain Clinic who had previously worked with Fran while she was hospitalized there. Taking into account such factors as Fran's physical limitations, the job market, Fran's economic needs, and her various aptitudes, Dr. Gollogly recommended that Fran pursue a career as a dental hygienist. Dr. Gollogly recommended that Fran spend one year in Fairbanks taking two prerequisite courses at UAF (chemistry and biology) and then enter a two-year program at West Liberty College in West Virginia. Upon completion of the program, she would be able to earn approximately $30/hour and would be able to obtain a job with relatively flexible scheduling. Dr. Gollogly testified that working part time would enable Fran to earn $30,000 per year, and that if she was able to work full time she could earn as much as $60,000 per year. At trial, Fran expressed a desire to pursue a career as a dental hygienist as recommended by Dr. Gollogly. In its oral findings the superior court explained its decision not to award spousal support as follows: Now, the total non-marital property before pension considerations awarded  I mean total non-marital property awarded to Ms. Davila here is $78,009.31. This separate property is important to the Court in its determination of the claim of spousal support and special needs. This Court concludes that Ms. Davila, if she completes the two years of study required for dental hygienist certification, will far surpass Mr. Davila in earning ability, capable of earning a salary in Fairbanks, Alaska, of $60,000 annually. Ms. Davila worked full-time before. I believe she'll work full-time again.... The availability of these significant non-marital funds caused the Court to make a closer than balanced distribution than otherwise would have been given, although as I've stressed, there is a tilting of the liquid items to her and a distribution tilt in her favor nonetheless. The court made no specific findings with respect to its order denying attorney's fees. From the trial testimony it appears that Fran has sufficient assets to cover all of her expenses over the next three years, as well as her current liabilities. Fran details these expenses as follows: Health Insurance ($306 per month) $ 11,016 Outstanding Hospital Bill $ 9,400 Attorney's Fees and Costs $ 29,420 Rehabilitation Costs [10] $ 48,000 Prescriptions [11] $ 2,400 TOTAL $100,236 This amount does not include two items mentioned by Fran. First, the court allocated to Fran 75% of the capital gains tax payable on any profit made on the sale of the Davilas' home. However, this amount is relatively small as the total profit on the house after expenses was roughly $1,000. Thus Fran has a one time tax expense on a capital gain of approximately $750. The only other possible expense mentioned is any medical expense (other than prescription drugs) incurred during the self-insurance period. The trial court dealt with this issue by stating that Fran could minimize expenses during this period by only receiving necessary treatments. [12] Based on the superior court's distribution of property, Fran received $132,683 in assets, including more than $110,000 in cash and securities. This does not include (1) any return on these investments, (2) any social security or vocational rehabilitation benefits to which she might be entitled, [13] (3) any income she might receive if able to work, or (4) her share of Steve's pension benefits, which will begin in June 1997. [14] Thus, based on the rehabilitation scenario which Fran presented at trial, she has received sufficient assets to complete the three year program necessary to become a dental hygienist without having to liquidate any of her other assets. [15] Fran has failed to demonstrate that her share of the property division is inadequate to fulfill her rehabilitation plan. [16] The superior court found, based on the evidence, that Fran would likely be able to work again. There is ample evidence in the record to support this conclusion. For example, Fran's treating physician testified that one of the mainstays of treatment for RSD is for the patient to force herself to use the foot. [17] Additionally, Fran's own expert rehabilitation specialist stated that he chose the program with Fran's medical condition in mind. Because the property settlement was sufficient to fund a three year rehabilitation program designed by her own expert witness, we conclude that the decision not to award spousal support was not an abuse of discretion. The same reasoning supports a denial of attorney's fees. The sole purpose in awarding attorney's fees in divorce actions is to enable the other spouse to prosecute or defend the action[.] AS 25.24.140. Thus, even if Steve earns more than Fran, if her resources are sufficient for the superior court to reasonably expect her to pay her own fees, it is not an abuse of discretion to require her to do so. See H.P.A. v. S.C.A., 704 P.2d 205, 212 (Alaska 1985). Because of the large property settlement, Fran had sufficient resources in the present case.