Opinion ID: 2103319
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: alimony award beyond one year was an abuse of discretion.

Text: The trial court awarded Joan $600 per month alimony for one year, and thereafter $400 per month for an additional nine years, or until her death, remarriage, or cohabitation with a man, whichever occurs first. We hold that the trial court properly awarded $600 per month alimony for one year, but the $400 per month award for the remaining period of nine years, or until her death, remarriage, or cohabitation with a man was an abuse of discretion. SDCL 25-4-41 allows the trial court to compel one party to make such suitable allowance to the other party for support during the life of that other party or for a shorter period as the court may deem just, having regard to the circumstances of the parties represented. The Supreme Court shall not disturb an award of alimony unless it clearly appears that the trial court abused its discretion. Goehry, supra ; Krage, supra . The factors to be considered by the trial court in awarding alimony include the length of marriage, earning capacity of the parties, financial condition after the property division, age, health and physical condition of the parties, parties' station in life or social standing, and fault. Hanks, supra . In order to determine whether the trial court has abused its discretion, this court reviews the award of alimony and property division together. Booth v. Booth, 354 N.W.2d 924 (S.D.1984). Reviewing the property division and alimony together, Joan could be earning interest on the $25,000 cash settlement of approximately $200 per month; receive $500 per month installments, plus interest, owing on the property settlement; receive $600 per month alimony for one year; and then receive $400 per month until 1996. Joan would also earn income from any employment she obtains. Without such employment, Joan would have an income of approximately $1,300 a month for year one; $1,100 per month for the next four years until the property settlement is paid in full; and $600 per month over the remaining five years. We are aware that Joan has incurred personal debts and attorney fees since the onset of this action that she is obligated to pay. Conversely, Donald has a monthly take-home pay of $2,000, and he must first pay $200 a month child support from a previous marriage for three years. He must also pay the $600 alimony award to Joan for one year, then $400 for nine more years. This is in addition to the $500 per month plus interest he is required to pay Joan pursuant to the property division. This leaves Donald with approximately $700 per month disposable income for year one, with $900 monthly the next two years, and $1,100 monthly until the property settlement is discharged. These amounts do not take into account Donald's higher cost of living because of his employment obligation or his assumption of all the marital debts. Considering the equity and circumstances of the situation, the $600 award of rehabilitative alimony for one year was reasonable and not an abuse of discretion. This will allow Joan the financial means to support herself until she obtains employment or becomes further educated to obtain more desirable employment. Comparing the respective financial situations after the property division and alimony award, the trial court abused its discretion in awarding Joan the additional $400 per month for nine years. While alimony will not be denied because a wife may be able to obtain employment to support herself, neither will it be awarded to allow a wife capable of employment to sit in idleness. Wallahan, supra; Guindon v. Guindon, 256 N.W.2d 894 (S.D.1977). Joan is a woman capable of many years of employment, and to award such a large amount of alimony would not rehabilitate her, but result in a windfall to her. Donald should not be required to support Joan in such a manner when he is working full time to meet his obligations while Joan would not be required to work at all. Such an award of alimony would not be rehabilitative. Appellee argues that because Donald's relative fault was greater than Joan's, the alimony award is justified. We disagree. The facts reveal that both parties contributed to the failure of the marriage, and each was granted a decree of divorce from the other on the grounds of extreme cruelty. For purposes of determining the amount and length of alimony payments, the trial court found that because of the plaintiff's relationship with another woman, relative fault in the termination of the marriage is greater. Let us examine this finding in light of the record which discloses, in part, the following: 1. This action was commenced with service of a summons and complaint on Joan on January 10, 1986. 2. Donald's admitted involvement with another woman did not occur until about the middle of April 1986, after the final separation from Joan. 3. During the course of the marriage, Joan had evicted or locked Donald from the home about 40 times. 4. Joan admitted to a serious problem with alcohol. She also stressed Donald's drinking problems but stated it did not affect his job performance. 5. On numerous occurrences Joan assaulted Donald by physically beating him with various objects such as framed pictures, fry pan, spiked heel, and fists. There were constant arguments about money, vacations, drinking, and hours worked by Donald. 6. Joan initially testified that Donald's relationship with another woman was not the problem, and she would have been willing to reconcile after the divorce action was started. She subsequently testified that she meant to say that the relationship did interfere with an attempt to reconcile. 7. Joan tore up an income tax return on the evening of the filing deadline. The record readily supports the conclusion that this marriage was already in its terminal stage before the other woman entered the scene. The extent of Joan's inappropriate behavior negates the trial court's conclusion that Donald's fault is greater than Joan's. We find it to be clearly erroneous. We reverse the award of alimony which exceeds the amount of $600 per month for one year.