Opinion ID: 1467335
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reimbursement Support

Text: [¶ 41] The referee awarded neither party spousal support. Claude contends the referee exceeded the bounds of its discretion in not awarding him reimbursement support. He asserts that he supported Jenny's educational advancement during the marriage, that she did not work at all while she attended school, and that Jenny, at age thirty-eight, with an MBA, is in a better position than Claude to earn an income after the marriage. Claude argues that he has only a high school education, is precluded from working in his field for at least two more years, and at age fifty-seven [3] with health issues, is in a poor position to obtain new employment. This difference, he asserts, qualifies him for reimbursement support. [¶ 42] Title 19-A M.R.S.A. § 951-A(2) lists five possible types of spousal support, including reimbursement support. Reimbursement support is authorized as follows: C. Reimbursement support may be awarded to achieve an equitable result in the overall dissolution of the parties' financial relationship in response to exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances include, but are not limited to: (1) Economic misconduct by a spouse; and (2) Substantial contributions a spouse made towards the educational or occupational advancement of the other spouse during the marriage. Reimbursement support may be awarded only if the court determines that the parties' financial circumstances do not permit the court to fully address equitable considerations through its distributive order pursuant to section 953. 19-A M.R.S.A. § 951-A(2)(C) (Supp.2004). [¶ 43] The referee found that the parties' substantial assets and other financial circumstances permitted the judgment to fully address equitable considerations through the distribution of property pursuant to section 953. Given the evidence of the parties' significant means, the decision not to award Claude reimbursement support is well within the scope of the referee's discretion, and is supported by section 951-A(2)(C).