Opinion ID: 1781860
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: law i. the court erred by awarding alimony to elizabeth m. hemsley or, in the alternative, in awarding an amount of alimony which was more than james michael hemsley could afford to pay.

Text: Mike contends that the lower court lacked the statutory authority to award periodic alimony, or in the alternative, that the amount of periodic alimony awarded was excessive. According to Mike, lump sum alimony is a division of property and would have been within the statutory authority of the lower court, whereas periodic alimony is considered spousal support and is not a division of property. Mike argues that periodic alimony is not specifically provided for in § 93-5-2(3) and further that in Kergosien v. Kergosien, 471 So.2d 1206 (Miss. 1985), this Court held that [d]ivorce is a creature of statute; it is not a gift to be bestowed by the chancellor.... It is a statutory act and the statutes must be strictly followed as they are in derogation of the common law. Id. at 1210. Mike also argues that his consent to allow the chancellor to decide the issue of periodic alimony does not confer subject matter jurisdiction upon the lower court. It has been often said that the jurisdiction of courts is such a public matter that it cannot be affected by a private agreement, and that the jurisdiction of a court can therefore neither be acquired nor lost as a result of an agreement of the parties. 20 Am.Jur.2d Courts § 139 (1965). This Court, however, effectively dealt with this issue in Taylor v. Taylor, 392 So.2d 1145 (Miss. 1981). A scrutiny of Section 93-5-2 reveals that it does not literally use the word alimony, but rather speaks in direct terms only to sufficient provision by written agreement for the maintenance of children of the marriage and for the settlement of any property rights between the parties. ... It could be argued that the legislature did not intend any alimony in divorces based upon irreconcilable differences but only intended adequate provision for the minor children of the parties as well as an adjustment of property rights. In our opinion such construction upon the legislative intention would be strained and unrealistic because the question of alimony normally arises in a great majority of divorce suits, a factor of which the legislature was undoubtedly aware at the time the statute was passed. To so construe the legislature's intent would limit the application of the irreconcilable differences statute to the wealthy few with sufficient property for division between themselves for their maintenance without the necessity of considering alimony and its obligations. We are of the opinion the legislature did not intend this result and in its wisdom enacted the statute for the benefit of all the citizens, including those without property or sufficient wealth for a lump sum alimony settlement; for after all they, on occasion, also have irreconcilable differences to arise. Id. at 1148. Thus, Mike's argument that the lower court did not have the authority to award periodic alimony is without merit. In the alternative, Mike contends that the award of periodic alimony in the amount of $1,400.00 per month was excessive. In determining a reasonable award for alimony, the following factors should be considered: (1) the health of the husband and his earning capacity; (2) the health of the wife and her earning capacity; (3) the entire sources of income of both parties; (4) the reasonable needs of the wife; (5) the reasonable needs of the child; (6) the necessary living expenses of the husband; (7) the estimated amount of income taxes the respective parties must pay on their incomes; (8) the fact that the wife has the free use of the home, furnishings and automobile, and (9) such other facts and circumstances bearing on the subject that might be shown by the evidence. Brabham v. Brabham, 226 Miss. 165, 84 So.2d 147, 153 (1955). Bitsy introduced Exhibit 5, which indicated that her gross pay totaled $2,042.50 per month, giving her an annual gross of $24,510.00. Her only source of income came from her secretarial job. At the time of trial, Bitsy was attending classes in business administration at Hinds Community College. Bitsy suffers from a heart condition called arrhythmia, and chronic sinus problems requiring medication of approximately $150.00 per month. Bitsy listed her expenses of $2,920.00 per month in Exhibit 5. With her net income amounting to $1,540.39 per month and alimony in the amount of $1,400.00 per month before taxes, Bitsy will not be able to meet her monthly expenses. Mike testified that he was in good health with the exception of an elevated cholesterol level, which was being treated with medication. He had a master's degree in harbor, coastal and ocean engineering. Mike introduced an exhibit indicating that he grossed $5,308.17 per month from his job. He also had other sources of income totalling $450.84 per month. His total gross income per month totaled $5,759.01. (The total on Exhibit 3 of $5,601.04 failed to take into account the $157.97 per month received from the Army Reserves.) Thus, Mike's gross income for the year totaled $69,108.12. Mike listed his expenses in Exhibit 3 which totaled $3,687.96 per month. (The figure listed of $4,387.96 includes $700.00 of temporary alimony. The temporary and periodic alimony are not being considered at this time.) Mike estimated that his net income per month only totaled $3,760.23. Thus, without considering alimony of any type, Mike has only $72.27 left after paying all of his expenses. A careful review of both Mike and Bitsy's expenses reveal that some items may be overstated and inflated. Basically, Mike will have net income of $4,000.00 per month and he will have approximately $2,600.00 per month to pay for expenses after he pays Bitsy $1,400.00 in alimony. Bitsy will also have approximately $2,940.00 per month (net pay of $1,540.00 plus $1,400.00 in alimony less taxes applicable to the alimony) to pay for her expenses. A review of the record does not indicate any reason why Mike's expenses should be more than Bitsy's expenses, especially given Bitsy's medical condition. The chancellor did not abuse his discretion in awarding Bitsy $1,400.00 per month in alimony.