Opinion ID: 1608509
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Second Motion for New Trial

Text: ¶ 16. Donna's second Motion for New Trial was filed on July 1, 1998, following the chancellor's opinion addressing the issues of alimony and attorney's fees. Donna argued that the chancellor committed error in his findings regarding her earning capacity, Mark's earning capacity, and Mark's necessary living expenses. For this reason, Donna asserted that she was entitled to a new trial. ¶ 17. The chancellor found that Mark's gross monthly income was $4,170.00. Mark's current living expenses total $4,635.90 per month for himself, with an additional $1,040.00 for Ellen, for a total of $5,675.90 per month. Mark had cashed in his 401(k) retirement plan to pay for the expenses of litigation. The chancellor also found that Mark's total liabilities were $39,714.64. ¶ 18. Donna's gross monthly income was $1,535.62. She will also receive child support from Mark in the amount of $470.00 per month. The chancellor found that her current income from American Airlines was not reflective of her earning capacity. For example, Donna is guaranteed 71 hours of flying time per month, or 16½ hours per week. The chancellor noted that Donna has elected to only work 2 days per week, giving her 5 days per week off. He stated that Donna had arrived at the $1,535.62 figure by using her 1997 W-2 from American Airlines. In 1997, she took family and medical leave to be with her mother, and also took time off for this litigation. The chancellor found that if Donna elected to work thirty hours per week, her gross salary would be $3,757.77 per month. For this reason, the chancellor concluded that her stated earning capacity of $1,535.62 was a gross understatement. ¶ 19. The chancellor reasoned that [i]f there are sufficient marital assets which, when equitably divided and considered with each spouse's non-marital assets, will adequately provide for both parties, no more need to be done. The chancellor had already granted lump sum alimony to Donna in the amount of $12,426.92. Finding that both parties were practically bankrupt and had basically the same amount of liabilities, the chancellor found that no periodic alimony was necessary. We find that the chancellor did not abuse his discretion in denying Donna's Second Motion for New Trial.