Opinion ID: 1119544
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Student loan and automobile payment obligations

Text: Joseph argues that the court in effect, ordered a form of after-the-fact rehabilitative alimony when it required him to assume responsibility for Nitaya's student loan. He also argues that because Nitaya's car was purchased after the Notkins separated, it was not marital property and the payments owed on it are not a marital debt. The court might have constructed a more conventional alimony award by requiring Joseph to make monthly alimony payments that would be calculated to cover these obligations. However, the award it did construct is nonetheless well-tailored to fit the purposes of reorientation alimony. Joseph is only responsible for obligations remaining as of May 1, 1995. In other words, his payments on the loan and on the car are timed to coincide with the period in which Nitaya is making the financial adjustment to post-divorce life on a dramatically reduced income. In order for a person to adjust to living on less than $15,000 a year, this form of relief could be critical.