Opinion ID: 884797
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: issues

Text: ¶ 48 Did the District Court err in declining to award Sandee rehabilitative maintenance? ¶ 49 Spousal maintenance is warranted only if the spouse seeking maintenance lacks sufficient property to provide for his reasonable needs, and is unable to support himself through appropriate employment. Section 40-4-203(1), MCA. In deciding whether a spouse meets this criteria, a court must consider the following factors: (a) the financial resources of the party seeking maintenance including marital property apportioned to him, and his ability to meet his needs independently, ...; (b) the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find appropriate employment; (c) the standard of living established during the marriage; (d) the duration of the marriage; (e) the age and the physical and emotional condition of the spouse seeking maintenance; and (f) the ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet his needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance. Section 40-4-203(2), MCA. ¶ 50 The District Court ultimately concluded that Sandee did not meet the necessary criteria for spousal maintenance. In reaching its conclusion, the court relied on findings already discussed herein concerning division of property, custody, and child support, in addition to the following: 17. That Respondent [Sandee] is employed part-time by a cleaning service and earns a salary of $5.50 per hour. Respondent has a high school education. Respondent's vocational skills and employability indicate that she is capable of earning considerably more in the future, if she completes her education at the Salish and Kootenai College. Respondent has taken computer and bookkeeping courses and has successfully completed a truck driving course and has a commercial driving license. Respondent's opportunity to acquire income or assets in the future is average. Respondent has no other sources of income. 22. That Respondent [Sandee] has sufficient property, following the division of the marital estate as ordered herein, to provide for her reasonable needs, and Respondent is able to support herself through appropriate employment. ¶ 51 Sandee argues that no substantial evidence exists to support the court's denial of spousal maintenance. First, Sandee argues that the trailer residence she was awarded was not income-producing property. Sandee points to the appraiser's testimony that the trailer was worth nothing. However, a closer look at the record reveals that the appraiser testified that although the trailer itself had no value, the land on which the trailer was situated was valued at $37, 500. The appraiser based this value on the facts that the land was located on a high water table, it had an existing septic system, and it could easily accommodate a house. Further, Curtis points out that Sandee testified she was not living at the trailer residence, but at another residence in Poison. Sandee did not present evidence that the trailer residence could not be rented. We also note that Sandee was awarded several vehicles, valued at a total of $27,000, and a camper carrying a debt of only $3000. Under these facts, we hold that there existed substantial evidence to support the court's finding that Sandee possessed sufficient property to provide for her needs. ¶ 52 Next, Sandee argues that despite having taken computer and bookkeeping courses, having successfully completed a truck driving course, and having a commercial driving license, her vocations and skills do not allow her to support herself. Sandee points to testimony of the college registrar who stated that the computer courses Sandee took did not add up to a degree in computers. She also points to Curtis' testimony that she didn't have what it took to drive the family business trucks. Sandee argues that due to her lack of employability, she is entitled to rehabilitative maintenance for a period sufficient to procure vocational training. We reject Sandee's argument. ¶ 53 Sandee's college transcript shows that Sandee took twelve computer and accounting courses and received A's and B's in all of them. She completed a truck driving course and received A's and B's. Although Sandee's instructor noted Sandee needed to practice and work on her truck driving skills, he scored her a B on the truck driving test. Again, we note that the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be afforded their testimony is a matter left to the sound discretion of the district court. Keebler, 807 P.2d at 1357. We hold substantial evidence existed to support the court's finding that Sandee was able to support herself through appropriate employment. The court's denial of rehabilitative spousal maintenance to Sandee was not clearly erroneous. ¶ 54 We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand to the District Court for further findings, regarding the parties' child support obligations, consistent with this opinion. NELSON, REGNIER, LEAPHART and TRIEWEILER, JJ., concur.