Opinion ID: 2167373
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: The Award of Rehabilitative Alimony

Text: Duane also contends that the trial justice's award of rehabilitative alimony to Josephine was arbitrary and capricious in both amount and duration. We disagree. The award of alimony in Rhode Island is governed by § 15-5-16, which enumerates several factors that the trial justice must consider in making such an award. Section 15-5-16(b) states in pertinent part: (1) In determining the amount of alimony or counsel fees, if any, to be paid, the court, after hearing the witnesses, if any, of each party, shall consider: (i) The length of the marriage; (ii) The conduct of the parties during the marriage; (iii) The health, age, station, occupation, amount and source of income, vocational skills, and employability of the parties; and, (iv) The state and the liabilities and needs of each of the parties. (2) In addition, the court shall consider: (i) The extent to which either party is unable to support herself or himself adequately because that party is the primary physical custodian of a child whose age, condition, or circumstances make it appropriate that the parent not seek employment outside the home, or seek only part-time or flexible-hour employment outside the home; (ii) The extent to which either party is unable to support herself or himself adequately with consideration given to:    (E) The opportunity of either party for future acquisition of capital assets and income;    (G) Any other factor which the court expressly finds to be just and proper. In the instant case, the trial justice awarded Josephine rehabilitative alimony in the amount of [one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00)] per week for a period of five years    [p]rovided, however, [that] said alimony shall not commence until [Josephine] vacates the marital domicile. Duane contends that no evidence was introduced at trial concerning Josephine's financial needs and expenses. Our review of the trial justice's explicit findings of fact with respect to Josephine's financial situation reveals that that contention is inaccurate. Specifically, he noted that the parties had been married for eleven years and that Josephine had cared for the two children and performed all of the domestic duties of the home. In addition, he found that at the time of the trial, Josephine was earning $10.75 per hour (which amounted to approximately $10,000 per year) at a part-time job. The trial justice also noted that Josephine was responsible for caring for the two children, who were still very young, but that she intended to obtain a college degree. Further, he found that her ability to acquire assets was limited. The trial justice also considered the financial circumstances of Duane, finding that Duane was in good health and had a civil service position with the United States Navy, for which he was paid nearly $80,000 per year. The trial justice also found that Duane had the potential to acquire substantial assets before retiring from his position. It is our opinion that the trial justice undertook a careful analysis of the facts and the statutory considerations for awarding alimony and that his award was not an abuse of discretion.