Opinion ID: 898260
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Award of Spousal Support

Text: [¶24] Carrie Lynnes next argues the district court's spousal support award of $1,500 per month for a period of two years was inadequate and clearly erroneous. [¶25] A spousal support determination is a finding of fact which will not be reversed on appeal unless it is clearly erroneous. Wagner v. Wagner, 2007 ND 33, ¶ 5, 728 N.W.2d 318 (citing Staley v. Staley, 2004 ND 195, ¶ 7, 688 N.W.2d 182). Absent a finding that the spousal support award is clearly erroneous, we will not reverse a district court's award merely because we may have viewed the evidence differently. Wagner, at ¶ 5 (citation omitted). In determining the amount and duration of a spousal support award, a district court must consider the Ruff-Fischer guidelines. Wagner, at ¶ 6 (citing Staley, at ¶ 8). [¶26] The district court awarded Carrie Lynnes rehabilitative support in the amount of $1,500 per month for a period of two years. In doing so, the district court relied upon the Ruff-Fischer guidelines, finding both parties were in good health and able to provide his or her own support, but that Carrie Lynnes's present earning capacity was substantially less than David Lynnes's. The district court explained Carrie Lynnes's earning capacity at the time of trial was not representative of her actual or potential earning ability. Specifically, the district court discussed Carrie Lynnes's graduation from a cosmetology program and degree from Northwest Technical College. The district court also found Carrie Lynnes had prior employment positions showing she is capable of earning at least $25,000 per year. The district court explained that the $9,000 per year she earned at the time of trial was because she was new to the real estate profession and her earning capacity would likely improve. However, the district court also considered the disparity in the property distribution when it determined Carrie Lynnes was in need of rehabilitative support for a period of two years. [¶27] Property division and spousal support are interrelated and intertwined and often must be considered together. Kostelecky v. Kostelecky, 2006 ND 120, ¶ 14, 714 N.W.2d 845 (citing Striefel v. Striefel, 2004 ND 210, ¶ 17, 689 N.W.2d 415; Schoenwald v. Schoenwald, 1999 ND 93, ¶ 6, 593 N.W.2d 350). Because of the interrelation of property division and spousal support, to the extent the district court's award of spousal support is intertwined with its property division, the district court may reconsider the issue of spousal support after it has properly calculated the total marital estate and redetermined the property distribution.