Opinion ID: 1118335
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the court err in awarding alimony?

Text: Billie argues that the superior court's award of spousal support of $2,500 per month is erroneous for several reasons. First, he claims that the court erroneously concluded that it is not reasonable to expect Virginia to be economically employed. Second, he claims that the alimony award was tainted by the court's failure to properly analyze the amount of property in the marital estate. Third, he suggests that the award represents an impermissible attempt to balance the parties' income rather than an effort to provide for Virginia's reasonable needs. Finally, he maintains that Virginia exaggerated her support needs. Alaska Statute 25.24.160(a) provides that spousal support may be awarded to the extent it is just and necessary. In Messina v. Messina, 583 P.2d 804, 805 (Alaska 1978), we held that the standards provided in the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act, [6] together with the Merrill factors, supra note 4, must be considered in determining whether an alimony award is just and necessary. In 1990, the Alaska Legislature amended AS 25.24.160(a)(2) to reflect this holding. [7] An award of alimony will not be set aside unless the trial court abused its discretion when determining whether alimony is just and necessary. Richmond v. Richmond, 779 P.2d 1211, 1215 (Alaska 1989). We have recognized that awards of rehabilitative alimony are appropriate when the recipient spouse intends to apply the alimony toward job training designed to lead to employment. See, e.g., Bussell v. Bussell, 623 P.2d 1221, 1224 (Alaska 1981). We also have upheld reorientation alimony awards designed to allow the requesting spouse an opportunity to adjust to the changed financial circumstances accompanying a divorce. Richmond, 779 P.2d at 1215 n. 6 (citing Dixon v. Dixon, 747 P.2d 1169 (Alaska 1987)). The purpose of both rehabilitative and reorientation alimony is to help a spouse adapt to the changed financial circumstances following his or her divorce. Either rehabilitative alimony or reorientation alimony where appropriate is, in general, to be preferred to permanent alimony because it is generally undesirable to require one person to support another on a long-term basis in the absence of an existing legal relationship. The trial court apparently did not award Virginia rehabilitative or reorientation alimony because it found that she is not employable. We are not persuaded by Billie's arguments that the judge erred in making this finding. Virginia did not work outside of the home during her marriage and she failed in her efforts as a church volunteer after her separation from Billie. Doctor Mackie testified that she will continue to suffer from serious physical and mental problems which make future employment unlikely. While Mr. Stone testified that, based on Dr. Mackie's deposition and Virginia's medical records, he felt Virginia could find employment in Bakersfield, Mr. Stone appears to have ignored Dr. Mackie's medical conclusions regarding Virginia's disabilities. Because the record contains substantial evidence in support of the court's finding that Virginia is not employable, that determination was not clearly erroneous. We do not address the remainder of Billie's arguments because we believe the trial court failed to adequately assess Virginia's needs before it awarded alimony. In determining whether alimony is just and necessary, a court is obliged to consider the circumstances and necessities of the parties. Merrill v. Merrill, 368 P.2d at 547 n. 4. While the court did find that Virginia's reasonable needs are somewhat in excess of $2,500.00 per month, it did not make specific findings concerning her financial needs and expenses. Our review of the record reveals little evidence of Virginia's current circumstances and necessities. [8] In the absence of specific findings concerning Virginia's financial needs, we are unable to evaluate whether $2,500 per month in alimony is just and necessary. We therefore vacate the alimony award and remand the issue of spousal support for findings concerning Virginia's financial needs. In unusual cases like this one, where due to Virginia's disabilities and lack of work experience the alimony award is sizable, it is imperative that the trial court inquire into the specific needs of the recipient spouse before making the award.