Opinion ID: 1870470
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Reasonable Needs of the Wife

Text: At the time of trial, Lucille was living alone in Newton, Mississippi, in the Quail Run Apartments where her monthly rent was $200.00 a month. Lucille had received notice from the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) that the monthly rent would be increased to $225.00 effective April 1, 1990. Lucille's other monthly expenses were $20.00 for food (an incredibly paltry amount); $35.00 for electricity; $28.00 a month to Tower Loans; $50.00 a month to Ralph Gray Enterprises; $19.00 a month to Electric City; $30.00 a month to Dress for Less; $75.00 a month child support for her minor son, John P. Gammage; and $60.00 a month for transportation. Lucille had received a loan from Tower in order to pay her back rent. The monthly payment to Ralph Gray was for furniture and a bedroom suite. The monthly payment to Electric City was for a typewriter and television set, and the monthly payment to Dress for Less was for clothing. The outstanding balances on these accounts were $208.00, $800.00, $600.00, and $116.00, respectively. Thus, in March of 1990 Lucille's monthly expenses totaled $517.00 while her monthly income was only $442.00. Her expenses exceeded her income by $75.00. After the $25.00 increase in apartment rent, Lucille's monthly expenses would exceed her income by $100.00. We certainly cannot conclude from these facts and figures that Lucille was engaged in reckless extravagance. This factor weighs heavily in favor of Lucille.