Opinion ID: 1649417
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: whether the court abused its discretion and committed manifest error in awarding periodic alimony to kay m. vaughn, after awarding her an equitable division of marital assets?

Text: ¶ 17. The chancellor also conducted a complete and careful factor-by-factor analysis of the factors set forth in Armstrong v. Armstrong, 618 So.2d 1278 (Miss.1993), in determining that Kay's petition for permanent periodic alimony should be granted The chancellor itemized and applied the facts of this case to each of the following factors: 1. Income and expenses of the parties; 2. Health and earning capacity of the parties; 3. Needs of each party; 4. Obligations and assets of each party; 5. Length of the marriage; 6. Presence or absence of minor children in the home; 7. Age of the parties; 8. Standard of living of the parties both during the marriage and at the time of the support determination; 9. Tax consequences of the spousal support order; 10. Fault or misconduct; 11. Wasteful dissipation of assets by either party; 12. Any other factor deemed by the court to be just and equitable in connection with the setting of spousal support. Id. at 1280. ¶ 18. Bruce argues that the chancellor incorrectly applied certain of the Armstrong factors, with his main argument being that the chancellor incorrectly applied the first factor due to mistakes in computing Kay's living expenses. However, in reviewing the allowed expenses claimed on Kay's financial statement the chancellor made appropriate reductions in the amounts allowed for telephone, medical, incidentals, electricity, and yard expenses. While Bruce may disagree with the chancellor's conclusions, the chancellor clearly sought to do equity and did not abuse his discretion. ¶ 19. The chancellor focused on the second factor, earning capacity. Bruce's current earning capacity was described as exceptional, with a net income of $8000 a month. Kay was unemployed and had an estimated earning capacity of $15,000 a year. The significant disparity in income is a major factor in the award of alimony. The chancellor concluded his analysis as follows: The Court finds there is great disparity between the Vaughns' future earning capability. Similarly, the Court finds there is a great disparity between Bruce's estate and Kay's estate. Bruce's estate is $574,825.00, while Kay's estate is $329,946.00. It would be inequitable to make Olivia's and Kay's standard of living suffer significantly because of Kay's inability to earn the income Bruce is capable of earning. It would further be unfair to require Kay to rely on her property settlement to live month to month. This is especially true given Bruce's ability to provide a reasonable standard of living for Kay and Olivia. After considering all of the factors, the Court awards Kay $500 per month in permanent periodic alimony. ¶ 20. The award of alimony and the amount of any such award is largely within the discretion of the chancellor. Monroe v. Monroe, 745 So.2d 249, 252 (Miss.1999); Parsons v. Parsons, 678 So.2d 701, 703 (Miss.1996); Creekmore v. Creekmore, 651 So.2d 513, 517 (Miss.1995); Cherry v. Cherry, 593 So.2d 13, 19 (Miss. 1991). Nonetheless, this Court will reverse an award of alimony on appeal when it is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Monroe, 745 So.2d at 252; Parsons, 678 So.2d at 703; Creekmore, 651 So.2d at 517. The chancellor's award of $500 per month in permanent periodic alimony is a reasonable amount and is not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Thus, this issue is without merit.