Court Opinion

ID: 1076461
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 20:19:03.788015+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:06:53.023346
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA

Present:   Judges Baker, Elder and Fitzpatrick

BRENDA LOUISE HUNTER
                                                  MEMORANDUM OPINION *
v.   Record No. 0773-97-1                             PER CURIAM
                                                   SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
DARRELL EUGENE HUNTER

           FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF HAMPTON
                    Christopher W. Hutton, Judge

           (Frederic L. Moschel; Cumming, Hatchett &
           Jordan, on brief), for appellant.
           (Stephen F. Forbes, on brief), for appellee.

     Brenda Louise Hunter (wife) appeals the trial court's

decision to reduce her spousal support.    Wife contends that the

trial court abused its discretion (1) by failing to include as

financial resources of Darrell Eugene Hunter (husband) all income

tax overpayments, voluntary pension contributions and earnings,

and monetary contributions made by his live-in girlfriend; and

(2) in finding a material change in circumstances justifying a

reduction in spousal support.    Upon reviewing the record and

briefs of the parties, we conclude that this appeal is without

merit.   Accordingly, we summarily affirm the decision of the

trial court.   Rule 5A:27.

                        Determination of Income

     Wife contends that the trial court abused its discretion by

     *
      Pursuant to Code § 17-116.010 this opinion is not
designated for publication.
failing to include in its determination of husband's income all

estimated income tax overpayments made by husband's corporation,

all monetary contributions by husband's live-in girlfriend, and

all retirement fund contributions and earnings.   We disagree.

     The evidence established that husband's earnings, as

reported on his 1996 W-2, were $83,170.   The trial court

determined that, due to some portion of the additional payments

received by husband or retained by his corporation, husband's

income was $90,925.   It is apparent that the trial court found

credible husband's explanations concerning the corporation's

financial management, including the retained earnings and tax

overpayments.   Also, the trial court heard the evidence in 1995

and was aware of the fluctuations in husband's business.
     Contributions to living expenses made by husband's live-in

girlfriend were strictly voluntary contributions.    There is no

statutory basis to require the trial court to include these

voluntary contributions in husband's income.   See

Code § 20-107.1(1).

       Based upon the evidence presented at the hearing and the

trial judge's familiarity with the case, the judge ruled that

husband's income was higher than that reported on his 1996 W-2

statement.   The court was not required to incorporate in

husband's income all items identified by wife, particularly in

light of the demonstrated fluctuations in husband's business.

We cannot say that the trial court's determination of husband's

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income was an abuse of discretion or was unsupported by the

evidence.

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                    Reduction of Spousal Support

      Code § 20-109 provides that "upon petition of either party

the court may increase, decrease or terminate spousal support and

maintenance that may thereafter accrue . . . as the circumstances

may make proper."   "The moving party in a petition for

modification of support is required to prove both a material

change in circumstances and that this change warrants a

modification of support."   Schoenwetter v. Schoenwetter, 8 Va.

App. 601, 605, 383 S.E.2d 28, 30 (1989).
     Wife contends that the trial court abused its discretion in

finding that husband established a material change in

circumstances sufficient to justify a reduction in her monthly

spousal support from $1,338 to $936.   However, based upon the

evidence heard ore tenus, the trial court found that there was a

material change in circumstances from those in existence at the

time of the last hearing.   The court noted that husband's

fluctuations in income were not as wide ranging as previous

fluctuations, and also noted that the parties presented differing

evidence as to their respective incomes.

     Wife's earnings had increased, although wife testified that

the store where she worked would be replaced by another store and

she was not guaranteed employment at the new store.   While wife

testified that her monthly expenses totaled approximately $3,500

and were substantially unchanged from the time of the last

hearing, husband presented evidence that wife's monthly

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expenditures were closer to $2,000.   Wife testified that she had

drawn $9,700 on a $15,000 equity line of credit to make home

repairs, but she did not testify concerning any effect on her

monthly expenses.   Wife denied living with her boyfriend and

denied receiving any financial assistance from him, although she

admitted he contributed to some household food expenses.

     Evidence supported the court's conclusion that husband's

income had declined and wife's income had increased since the

last hearing.    Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its

discretion in determining that there was a material change in

circumstances.   Similarly, in light of the evidence found

credible by the trial court, we cannot say that the court's $400

reduction in monthly spousal support was an abuse of discretion.
     Accordingly, the decision of the circuit court is summarily

affirmed.

                                                         Affirmed.

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