Opinion ID: 1407729
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Designation of limited temporary spousal support

Text: Roberta argues that her share of Gerhard's retirement benefits was improperly designated as limited temporary spousal support. We agree. In Walsh v. Walsh, 103 Nev. 287, 288, 738 P.2d 117, 117 (1987), we stated that retirement benefits earned during the marriage are community property. In Carrell v. Carrell, 108 Nev. 670, 671, 836 P.2d 1243, 1244 (1992), we were faced with a similar situation as presented by the case at bar. In Carrell, recognizing that the wife's pension was worth less than the husband's pension, the district court required the husband to pay spousal support to the wife that would result in a fifty/fifty division of the pensions. Id. The Carrell court concluded that [a]s community property, retirement benefits are afforded certain rights which do not attach to spousal support awards. Specifically, community property is not subject to future modification whereas spousal support can be modified upon a change of circumstances, remarriage, or death. NRS 125.150(5), (7). Consequently, the district court erred when it characterized [the wife's] community property as spousal support, thereby subjecting it to possible future modification. Id. We conclude that classifying Roberta's share of the community asset as limited temporary spousal support was an error because the spousal support award, unlike an interest in community property, is subject to possible future modification. See NRS 125.150(7). In his cross-appeal, Gerhard argues that the award of limited temporary spousal support was improper because Roberta did not qualify for any kind of spousal support. As discussed above, we conclude that Roberta is clearly entitled to her portion of the community's interest in Gerhard's retirement. Further, the classification of that right as temporary limited spousal support was error. Accordingly, Gerhard's argument misinterprets the purpose of the district court's award, and therefore, we need not address this particular argument here.