Opinion ID: 2329388
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pendente Lite Alimony

Text: As a general rule, a trial judge cannot modify court-ordered installments of alimony or support after they have become due. Kephart v. Kephart, 89 U.S. App.D.C. 373, 380, 193 F.2d 677, 684 (1951), cert. denied, 342 U.S. 944, 72 S.Ct. 557, 96 L.Ed. 702 (1952). However, it is well-established that the court may, in its discretion reduce or cancel at a later date, periodic installments of payments for maintenance as of the date when application for such relief is made.  Rhodes v. Gilpin, 264 A.2d 497, 500 (D.C.1970) (quoting Fioravanti v. Fioravanti, 98 U.S.App.D.C. 23, 23, 231 F.2d 776, 776 (1956) (emphasis supplied in Rhodes ). If the court has the power to cancel such obligations retroactively, it must also have the power to order recoupment of monies already paid. To hold otherwise would be to reward those who fail to comply with the court-ordered schedules of payments and at the same time penalize those who fulfill their legal obligations. Cf. Adams v. Adams, 196 A.2d 915, 917 (D.C.1964) (recoupment ordered of unexpended payments made into court registry). Here, Mr. Steadman filed a motion to terminate the District of Columbia pendente lite support order on December 29, 1983. The motion was heard and denied on May 10, 1984. The matter was raised again on July 10, 1984 by a motion to reduce the pendente lite support and addressed by the court in an October 16, 1984 hearing. The judge issued no order, but explained: [L]et the order run at five thousand until I resolve it. If indeed the Florida court says that you're right, then their case is down there and the award down there will be controlling. If the Florida court suggests that [counsel for Mrs. Steadman] is correct and they had no jurisdiction then the case is up here, but in any event he gets credit both ways down the line as far as finances are concerned. The final order of the Superior Court judge was an entry of judgment for $37,500 against Mrs. Steadman. That amount was the difference between the periodic alimony ordered by the Florida court and the pendente lite support awarded in the District of Columbia from the date of the Florida order. However, Mr. Steadman's initial request for relief had been denied on May 10, 1984. Therefore, the only motion pending at the time the final order was issued was the motion filed on July 30, 1984. The power of the judge to modify the award is retroactive only to the date of the motion for relief. Rhodes, supra, 264 A.2d at 500. The judgment against Mrs. Steadman should be limited, therefore, to the amount of the pendente lite support paid her after July 30, 1984, pursuant to the Superior Court order, less the amount of periodic alimony paid under the Florida decree during the same period. On remand, the trial court shall modify the judgment accordingly.