Opinion ID: 2581730
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Duration of Alimony

Text: The court's oral findings and conclusions ordered Lindsay to pay Avis rehabilitative alimony of $500 per month for four years, finding that amount to be fair and equitable. But the written findings and conclusions prepared by counsel and entered by the court did not specify the duration of the alimony. When Avis objected to the written findings' lack of specificity concerning the duration of the alimony award, the superior court entered an addendum specifying that alimony would be payable for two years; the addendum did not explain the contradiction between the amended term and the oral findings or why the duration of the alimony was being reduced. Avis argues that the superior court abused its discretion by reducing the duration of her alimony award from four years to two years. Although it would not necessarily have been an abuse of discretion to have awarded alimony of two years (or six years) at the hearing, the conflict between the oral findings, the initial written findings, and the addendum was resolved without explanation, even though the result reduced the original award by fifty percent and a total of $12,000. We are consequently unable to review the reasoning behind the reduction. On remand, the duration of the alimony award should be clarified, and if it differs from the term found orally, the court should explain its reasons for the different result. This reconsideration of the alimony award must not be inappropriately affected by the property division. Avis also argues on appeal that she deserved an additional two years of alimony so that she could complete an M.B.A. She acknowledges that she never explicitly asked the superior court for an additional two years of alimony. But she correctly notes that she explained to the court that her educational plan included getting a master's degree, and her trial exhibits indicated that she was studying business administration to prepare for an M.B.A. program. We express no opinion concerning the merits of Avis's argument that she should receive six years of alimony. When the superior court reconsiders its alimony award, Avis may ask the court to consider her effort to improve her economic prospects by pursuing an M.B.A.