Opinion ID: 1172852
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did the Trial Court Err in Failing to Award Susan Temporary Rehabilitative Spousal Support?

Text: A trial court has broad discretion in determining the necessity of spousal support and this court will not interfere unless there is clear injustice or abuse of discretion. Malone v. Malone, 587 P.2d 1167 (Alaska 1978); Faro v. Faro, 579 P.2d 1377 (Alaska 1978). It is not an abuse of discretion to award temporary rehabilitative alimony when the award is of limited duration and for the specific purpose of allowing the supported spouse to improve his employment skills. Bussell v. Bussell, 623 P.2d 1221, 1224 (Alaska 1981). However, we have expressed a preference for providing for the parties' financial needs by property disposition rather than alimony awards. Malone v. Malone, 587 P.2d 1167, 1168 (Alaska 1978). The court below used a property division in lieu of spousal support. Although it could have ordered alimony payments during Susan's education under Bussell, it was not an abuse of discretion to fail to do so.