Opinion ID: 2221928
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Should Sue be Awarded Additional Assets in Lieu of Alimony?

Text: Sue has always taken the position that she would prefer to be self-supporting, that is, she would rather have additional assets in lieu of an alimony award. Given the acrimonious relationship between the parties, the trial court agreed. So do we. The question, then, is what amount of property would be an adequate substitute for David's alimony obligation. Before we address this question, we consider David's argument that Sue is not entitled to alimony in any form. We reject this assertion based on our evaluation of the statutory factors relevant to this issue. See generally Iowa Code § 598.21(3) (listing factors to be considered by the court in making an award of alimony). The marriage was of long duration. During the child-rearing years, Sue remained at home and was the primary caretaker. Even though Sue returned to the workplace some twenty years ago, there remains a significant disparity in the earning capacities of the parties. Although neither party has a high income, David's salary and benefits are approximately two to four times Sue's combined self-employment and part-time employment income. In addition, Sue's physical and mental conditions generate added expenses and make it unlikely that she will ever enjoy a level of income commensurate to that of David. See generally Wertz, 492 N.W.2d at 714 (in determining the appropriateness of alimony, the court must balance the ability of the supporting spouse to pay against the relative needs of the supported spouse). At this point it is helpful to review the property distribution, as our prior discussion has modified it: Sue David North Fourth marital home $ 66,800 Sue's IRA 47,330 Mutual fund 9,000 Cash value of life insurance 20,000 Checking account 900 Blazer 15,000 Chevy automobile 1,000 East Third property $ 27,000 IPERS 83,063 David's IRA 11,518 Dodge truck 5,000 Personal property 4,560 3,234 ________ ________ TOTAL $164,490 $129,815 Under this division of the parties' property, Sue receives approximately $34,500 more than David. There is, however, one additional complicating factor: the trial court ordered that Sue pay the mortgage on the home awarded to David. The balance on this loan at the time of trial was $28,480. If this part of the trial court's decree were allowed to stand, Sue would receive only $6,000 more in assets than David would receive. We think this figure is an inadequate substitute for an award of alimony. Therefore, we modify the court's judgment by deleting Sue's obligation to pay the mortgage on the East Third property. That mortgage shall be David's responsibility. When this change is factored into the property distribution, the difference in the property awards made to Sue ($164,490) and David ($129,815-$28,480) is $63,165 in Sue's favor. Although we consider Sue's assets gained through her inheritance since they will provide a source of income and support for her in years to come, see In re Marriage of Hardy, 539 N.W.2d 729, 732 (Iowa App.1995), we are also mindful of Sue's greater medical expenses and lower earning capacity. On balance, we think that this division of the parties' assets is adequate to replace the alimony to which Sue would otherwise be entitled.