Opinion ID: 1650355
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Was the alimony awarded unreasonably excessive in view of the property settlement and respondent's alleged diminished earning capacity?

Text: Much of what we said in division I is pertinent here. There is nothing unique about this property settlement. These parties and trial court apparently contemplated petitioner would receive, as part of her approximately one-half share in the assets, a home with an equity of $12,000 (subject to a mortgage of $24,000 which she will be required to pay), and household goods and equipment valued at $8500. These are not income-producing assets, however convenient for use and enjoyment. In resolving the alimony issue each case is peculiarly dependent on its own facts. Bitner v. Bitner, 176 N.W.2d 162 (Iowa 1970); Morris v. Morris, 163 N.W. 2d 549 (Iowa 1968). This case has unusual facts, in that the respondent doctor, with an extremely high earning potential, had purposely and temporarily disengaged himself from practice and expressed an intent to reduce his income. Consequently, this case had an unusual disposition below, with the trial court making only an interim award of alimony, as we interpret the decree. Respondent wants the amount fixed reduced, both in the interim and permanently, claiming trial court abused its discretion. Petitioner's position is ambivalent; she contends on the one hand the alimony provision in the decree was not final and therefore not subject to appeal, and on the other hand asserts the amount should be made permanent and affirmed as established below. We believe the rationale of Shipley v. Shipley, 182 N.W.2d 125 (Iowa 1970) is applicable under these circumstances. At pages 128 and 129 of 182 N. W.2d we relevantly said, We think decrees of this kind, including and notwithstanding the provision for subsequent review, are appealable under the type of divorce proceeding we have in Iowa.       The way to avoid such tangles is to stay with the orderly procedure contemplated by our divorce statute and civil rules, looking toward a prompt trial and decree and appeal. If a trial court needs additional evidence on some aspect of the case, it can do as trial courts have always done: hold up decree shortly, request prompt submission of additional evidence on the point, and then pass decree. But if a provision for change on future developments is really necessary in a decree, the whole decree should nonetheless be held to go into effect when passed and be appealable, including the provision for change. Applying that reasoning here, we hold this case is appealable and that this court has the requisite jurisdiction to decide the issues before us. We further hold the trial court, in fixing interim alimony, did not abuse its discretion and the amount is approved. Also affirmed, of course, is the provision for review provided in the decree. It follows the case is remanded for trial court's reconsideration of the alimony award in the light of respondent's present health, income, and earning capacity. Until such hearing, the alimony ordered by the trial court shall be paid. All amounts ordered paid by this court for temporary support during the pendency of this appeal shall be credited against the unpaid installments of interim alimony provided in the decree.