Court Opinion

ID: 3144818
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:04:50.206866+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:06:12.911859
License: Public Domain

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
                                         Appellate Court

                      In re Marriage of Jensen, 2013 IL App (4th) 120355

Appellate Court            In re: the Marriage of ELIZABETH H. JENSEN, Petitioner-Appellee, and
Caption                    PHILLIP M. JENSEN, Respondent-Appellant.

District & No.             Fourth District
                           Docket No. 4-12-0355

Filed                      May 6, 2013

Held                       In marriage dissolution proceedings where the trial court reserved the
(Note: This syllabus       issue of maintenance, the appellate court lacked jurisdiction to consider
constitutes no part of     respondent’s appeal alleging that the trial court abused its discretion in
the opinion of the court   allocating petitioner 55% of the marital estate and that it erred in finding
but has been prepared      that respondent dissipated $14,000 in marital assets, since the trial court’s
by the Reporter of         order was not final for purposes of appeal.
Decisions for the
convenience of the
reader.)

Decision Under             Appeal from the Circuit Court of Coles County, No. 09-D-134; the Hon.
Review                     Teresa K. Righter, Judge, presiding.

Judgment                   Dismissed.
Counsel on                 Brian L. Bower, William A. Sunderman (argued), and Madison Mullady,
Appeal                     all of Brainard Law Offices, of Charleston, for appellant.

                           Mark E. Ferguson and Jay W. Ferguson (argued), both of Law Office of
                           Mark E. Ferguson, Ltd., of Mattoon, for appellee.

Panel                      JUSTICE HOLDER WHITE delivered the judgment of the court, with
                           opinion.
                           Presiding Justice Steigmann and Justice Pope concurred in the judgment
                           and opinion.

                                            OPINION

¶1          In January 2011, the trial court entered an order dissolving the marriage of petitioner,
        Elizabeth H. Jensen, and respondent, Phillip M. Jensen. Following an August 2011 hearing,
        the court allocated the parties’ various assets, including a $327,950 investment retirement
        account (IRA) with Richard, Merrill & Peterson, held in Phillip’s name. In May 2012, the
        court modified its original order, (1) finding Phillip dissipated approximately $14,000 in
        marital assets, and (2) increasing the amount of the IRA awarded to Elizabeth from 50% to
        62%.
¶2          Phillip appeals, arguing the trial court (1) abused its discretion by allocating
        approximately 55% of the total marital estate to Elizabeth, and (2) erred by finding Phillip
        dissipated approximately $14,000 in marital assets.
¶3          Because we conclude we do not have jurisdiction to address Phillip’s contentions, we
        dismiss the appeal.

¶4                                     I. BACKGROUND
¶5          Elizabeth and Phillip married on May 26, 1987. The parties had three children during
        their marriage.

¶6       A. The Trial Court’s Temporary Orders and Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
¶7          In June 2009, Elizabeth filed a petition for dissolution of marriage and a petition for
        temporary relief. In September 2009, the trial court entered a temporary order requiring
        Phillip to pay $2,600 biweekly as unallocated maintenance and support. The court
        subsequently modified the temporary order in November 2010, ordering bimonthly child
        support payments of $1,553.25. In April 2011, the court granted, in part, Phillip’s petition
        for termination of support and maintenance, staying Phillip’s maintenance obligation.
¶8          In January 2011, the trial court entered a judgment of dissolution of marriage, reserving

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       the resolution of “[a]ll other issues including those of maintenance and property allocation”
       for a subsequent hearing.

¶9                                  B. The August 2011 Hearing
¶ 10        In August 2011, the parties appeared for a hearing on all remaining issues. Phillip
       testified that from 1987 through 1991, he pursued postgraduate dentistry training in Chicago,
       Illinois. During this time, Elizabeth helped support the couple through her employment as
       a physical therapist. In 1989, the parties’ oldest child, Matthew, was born.
¶ 11        Following the completion of Phillip’s postgraduate training, the couple moved to
       Portland, Oregon, where Phillip became employed at Kaiser Permanente. The parties’ second
       child, Mary, was born in 1992. Thereafter, the parties agreed Elizabeth should take care of
       the children and Phillip subsequently became the family’s sole financial provider. In 1993,
       the family returned to Illinois, and Phillip became employed at an oral surgery practice in
       Coles County. The couple’s youngest child, Sarah, was born in 1996.
¶ 12        In 1997, the Jensens decided Phillip would open a private oral surgery practice in Neoga,
       Illinois. Together the couple “did what was required to get that office up and running,” with
       Elizabeth working at the front desk “[o]n a temporary basis.” Elizabeth was also primarily
       responsible for taking care of the couple’s children. In 2003, Phillip opened another office
       in Effingham, Illinois.
¶ 13        From June to September 2008, Phillip discontinued his oral surgery practice to seek
       treatment for his addiction to pain medication. In March 2009, Phillip suffered a relapse. In
       April 2011, the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation suspended Phillip’s professional
       license. Phillip testified he was “actively seeking” to have his license reinstated.
¶ 14        Elizabeth testified she resumed employment in July 2008 as a physical therapist in
       Mattoon, Illinois. Approximately two years later, she began experiencing numbness in her
       hands and pain in her wrists. She also experienced discomfort in her lower back. At the time
       of trial, Elizabeth continued to receive treatment for these conditions.
¶ 15        The trial court admitted into evidence Phillip’s 2008, 2009, and 2010 corporate tax
       returns, as well as the couple’s 2008 and 2009 joint returns and their 2010 individual returns.
       In 2008, Phillip’s oral surgery practice reported approximately $610,000 in gross receipts,
       and the Jensens reported combined personal income of approximately $320,000. In 2009,
       Phillip’s practice reported gross receipts of over $760,000, and the Jensens reported
       combined personal income of approximately $340,000. In 2010, Phillip’s practice reported
       gross receipts of over $650,000. That year, Phillip earned over $200,000 in personal income,
       and Elizabeth earned approximately $130,000 in income, which included the $60,000 she
       received in maintenance. The court also admitted into evidence a 2009 financial statement
       the parties had submitted to a bank in which they valued Phillip’s oral surgery practice at
       approximately $1 million.
¶ 16        Elizabeth’s amended financial affidavit, filed in April 2011, showed Elizabeth’s total
       average estimated monthly expenses totaled over $10,000. Phillip’s financial affidavit, filed
       in August 2011, reflected average estimated monthly expenses of approximately $2,000.

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¶ 17       At the time of the hearing, the couple’s oldest son, Matthew, was studying at the
       Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. According to Matthew,
       his school tuition and room and board expenses during the first two years were paid from a
       Uniform Gift to Minors account. Phillip had not made any other contributions toward
       Matthew’s post-high-school educational expenses.
¶ 18       Phillip and Elizabeth’s middle child, Mary, had just completed her first year at Murray
       State University. The Uniform Gift to Minors account paid for Mary’s tuition, fees, and
       residence hall costs. Phillip stated the tuition for Mary’s second year would also be paid from
       the Uniform Gift to Minors account. Mary also worked part-time. Mary testified Phillip had
       not made any other contributions to her post-high-school education. Both Matthew and Mary
       worked part-time and stated they relied on Elizabeth for partial support for their living and
       educational expenses. The couple’s youngest child, Sarah, was a high school student at the
       time of the hearing and resided with Elizabeth.
¶ 19       In June 2009, Phillip began a relationship with Sarah Tobias. Phillip testified he
       separated from Elizabeth in July 2009, after she filed a petition for dissolution of marriage.
       The trial court admitted into evidence petitioner’s exhibit No. 12, a three-page statement
       from Phillip’s checking account, which showed Phillip had written checks to Tobias in
       December 2009, October 2010, and December 2010, totaling $5,650. The court also admitted
       into evidence petitioner’s exhibit No. 13, showing Phillip had written two $4,000 checks to
       Giganti & Giganti in October and November 2010. Phillip testified he used these checks to
       purchase an engagement ring for Tobias.

¶ 20                 C. The Trial Court’s August 2011 Memorandum Opinion
¶ 21       In its August 23, 2011, memorandum opinion, the trial court awarded Elizabeth sole
       possession of the marital home until the home could be sold, requiring Phillip and Elizabeth
       to each pay half of the monthly mortgage payment, home equity payment, property taxes, and
       insurance. The court ordered the proceeds from the sale of the home to go to the costs of the
       sale, followed by the home equity and the mortgage. The court stated it was “impossible” to
       place a value on the marital residence, but noted the listing price had been reduced from
       $585,000 to $465,000, and the debt owed on the original mortgage and home equity loan
       totaled approximately $389,000. The court ordered any remaining funds or deficiency to be
       divided 60% to Elizabeth and 40% to Phillip. The court also ordered the couple’s timeshare
       to be sold, with the parties to split the loss or gain from the sale equally.
¶ 22       With respect to the parties’ retirement accounts, the trial court awarded Elizabeth the
       property from her 403(b) retirement account, valued at approximately $162,000, which
       contained the money Elizabeth had rolled over from her former IRA account with Richard,
       Merrill & Peterson. The court also awarded Elizabeth 50% of the $327,950 in the IRA
       account with Richard, Merrill & Peterson in Phillip’s name, pursuant to a qualified domestic
       relations order (QDRO). The court awarded Phillip the balance of that account. In addition,
       the court awarded Elizabeth assets and debt obligations totaling $145,230 and awarded
       Phillip assets and debts totaling $143,855.
¶ 23       The trial court reserved the issue of maintenance, denied Elizabeth’s request that Phillip

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       be ordered to make a monthly contribution to the living expenses of the two parties’ adult
       children, and set child support for the couple’s minor child at $500 per month until Phillip’s
       license was reinstated or he found another source of income. The court did not address
       whether Phillip dissipated the marital estate.
¶ 24       The trial court directed Phillip’s attorney to “draft the appropriate orders/judgment.” On
       November 21, 2011, the trial court entered the “order on second portion of bifurcated
       hearing,” reflecting the provisions set forth in the court’s memorandum opinion.

¶ 25                           D. The Trial Court’s March 2012 Order
¶ 26        In December 2011, Elizabeth filed a posttrial motion, requesting, among other things, the
       trial court enter an order finding Phillip dissipated marital assets. Following a February 2012
       hearing, on March 22, 2012, the court filed an order granting Elizabeth’s motion in part and
       denying it in part. Specifically, the court found Phillip dissipated $14,156.94 in marital assets
       and required him to reimburse the marital estate for that amount. The court further stated
       upon reconsidering “the significant disparity in earnings and earning potential, the duration
       of the marriage, [Elizabeth’s] contribution to [Phillip’s] profession and other testimony
       presented,” it found “a fair and equitable distribution of the parties marital assets and debts
       require[d] a modification of the Court’s prior order.” The court amended its prior order to
       award Elizabeth 62% of the $327,950 Richard, Merrill & Peterson account in Phillip’s name,
       pursuant to a QDRO. The court left all other terms of the distribution of assets and liabilities
       unchanged. The court’s order directed Elizabeth’s attorney to draft the amended order on the
       second portion of the bifurcated hearing.

¶ 27                                  E. Notice of Appeal
¶ 28      On April 16, 2012, Phillip filed a notice of appeal, specifying he sought to appeal “the
       judgment entered March 21, 2012,” upon Elizabeth’s posttrial motion.

¶ 29            F. The Amended Order on Second Portion of Bifurcated Hearing
¶ 30       On April 30, 2012, the trial court signed the “amended order on second portion of
       bifurcated hearing,” which had been prepared by Elizabeth’s attorney and which modified
       the original “order on second portion of bifurcated hearing” pursuant to the court’s March
       2012 posttrial order. The court filed the amended order on May 1, 2012.

¶ 31                                      II. ANALYSIS
¶ 32       On appeal, Phillip contends the trial court (1) abused its discretion by allocating
       approximately 55% of the marital estate to Elizabeth and (2) erred by finding Phillip
       dissipated approximately $14,000 in marital assets. Before addressing the merits of Phillip’s
       appeal, however, we must determine whether we have jurisdiction.
¶ 33       Although neither party initially raised the issue of this court’s jurisdiction, “we have an
       independent duty to examine our appellate jurisdiction.” In re Marriage of Gaudio, 368 Ill.
       App. 3d 153, 156, 857 N.E.2d 332, 334 (2006). Upon request, the parties filed supplemental

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       briefs, addressing whether this court possessed jurisdiction where (1) the trial court reserved
       the issue of maintenance and did not make a finding pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule
       304(a) (eff. Feb. 26, 2010), and (2) Phillip filed a notice of appeal before the trial court
       entered its amended order on the second portion of the bifurcated proceedings, specifying
       that he was appealing the trial court’s March 21, 2012, order and not any of the court’s other
       orders. We conclude, based on the trial court’s reservation of maintenance, we lack
       jurisdiction to consider the merits of Phillip’s appeal.
¶ 34        Phillip filed his notice of appeal pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 301 (eff. Feb.
       1, 1994), which provides every final judgment in a civil case is appealable as of right. “ ‘A
       judgment or order is “final” if it disposes of the rights of the parties, either on the entire case
       or on some definite and separate part of the controversy.’ ” Gaudio, 368 Ill. App. 3d at 156,
       857 N.E.2d at 334 (quoting Dubina v. Mesirow Realty Development, Inc., 178 Ill. 2d 496,
       502, 687 N.E.2d 871, 874 (1997)). Absent a finding pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 304(a),
       a final order disposing of fewer than all of the parties’ claims is not an appealable order. In
       re Marriage of Gutman, 232 Ill. 2d 145, 151, 902 N.E.2d 631, 634 (2008). The purpose
       behind requiring a Rule 304(a) finding is “ ‘to discourage piecemeal appeals.’ ” Gutman, 232
Ill. 2d at 151, 902 N.E.2d at 634 (quoting Marsh v. Evangelical Covenant Church of
       Hinsdale, 138 Ill. 2d 458, 465, 563 N.E.2d 459, 463 (1990)).
¶ 35        A petition for dissolution of marriage advances a single claim–a request for an order
       dissolving the parties’ marriage. In re Marriage of Leopando, 96 Ill. 2d 114, 119, 449 N.E.2d
137, 140 (1983). The other issues involved in a dissolution case, such as property disposition
       and support, are “questions which are ancillary to the cause of action” and are not separate,
       unrelated claims. (Emphasis in original.) Leopando, 96 Ill. 2d at 119, 449 N.E.2d at 140.
       Thus, until all of the ancillary issues are resolved, a petition for dissolution of marriage has
       not been fully adjudicated. Leopando, 96 Ill. 2d at 119, 449 N.E.2d at 140. “Stated
       differently, generally only a judgment that does not reserve any issues for later determination
       is final and appealable.” In re Marriage of Susman, 2012 IL App (1st) 112068, ¶ 13, 980
N.E.2d 131.
¶ 36        Here, the trial court’s “amended order on second portion of bifurcated proceedings”
       states as follows:
                “With regard to the issue of maintenance, given the standard of living established
            during the marriage, the disparity in earning capacity of the parties, the duration of the
            marriage, and Mrs. Jensen’s contribution to Dr. Jensen’s career, she is entitled to
            maintenance.
                Due to Dr. Jensen’s current circumstances and what is believed to be a temporary
            lack of income, the nature of the assets and debts awarded to Dr. Jensen and his
            obligation to pay towards the debt on the marital residence, Dr. Jensen does not have the
            current ability to pay maintenance.
                The issue of maintenance is reserved by this Court and to be revisited in six months
            along with the status of Dr. Jensen’s employment and his income.”
¶ 37        Thus, the trial court expressly reserved maintenance to be revisited in six months.
       Notwithstanding the court’s reservation, Phillip argues this court possesses jurisdiction. We

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       disagree.
¶ 38        In re Marriage of Mackin, 391 Ill. App. 3d 518, 909 N.E.2d 912 (2009), is directly on
       point. There, the trial court did not order the mother to pay child support, expressly reserving
       jurisdiction by setting the matter to be reviewed after 180 days, at which point the court
       would examine the mother’s financial circumstances. Mackin, 391 Ill. App. 3d at 520, 909
       N.E.2d at 914. Concluding it lacked jurisdiction to consider the mother’s appeal, the Fifth
       District noted the issue of child support was “not merely incidental,” but rather, “integrally
       related” to the court’s determination of child custody. Mackin, 391 Ill. App. 3d at 520, 909
       N.E.2d at 914. The appellate court reasoned that by deciding to wait 180 days to examine the
       mother’s financial circumstances, the trial court did not resolve the issue of child support,
       and therefore, the court dismissed the mother’s appeal. Id.
¶ 39        Here, the trial court found Elizabeth was entitled to maintenance but, due to Phillip’s
       economic circumstances, it did not order Phillip to pay maintenance. Thus, the court reserved
       maintenance, stating it would “revisit” the issue in six months to assess Phillip’s financial
       and employment situation. The issue of maintenance is “not merely incidental,” but rather,
       “integrally related” to the trial court’s allocation of the couple’s property, as section 503(d)
       of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/503(d)(10) (West
       2010)) explicitly states the court “shall” consider, in apportioning the couple’s marital
       property, “whether the apportionment is in lieu of or in addition to maintenance.” Based on
       the foregoing, we conclude the court’s failure to resolve maintenance deprives this court of
       jurisdiction.
¶ 40        The cases cited by Phillip are distinguishable. In In re Marriage of Cannon, 112 Ill. 2d
552, 553-54, 494 N.E.2d 490, 491-92 (1986), our supreme court concluded the trial court’s
       order, which awarded the wife $2,500 a month in maintenance but reserved review of the
       award for two years or less, was final and appealable. The supreme court found the trial court
       “made a decision” and a specific ruling with respect to maintenance, setting the amount of
       maintenance to be paid but providing for review. Cannon, 112 Ill. 2d at 556, 494 N.E.2d at
       492. The court further reasoned the judgment was enforceable immediately. Id. This is the
       opposite of the court’s ruling in this case. There has been no determination as to the amount
       of maintenance to be paid.
¶ 41        Phillip also relies on In re Marriage of Lord, 125 Ill. App. 3d 1, 465 N.E.2d 151 (1984),
       and In re Marriage of Bingham, 181 Ill. App. 3d 966, 537 N.E.2d 1158 (1989). In Lord, the
       trial court’s dissolution order did not award the wife maintenance, reserving the question for
       two years. Lord, 125 Ill. App. 3d at 3, 465 N.E.2d at 152. It was implicit in the trial court’s
       finding that no maintenance was justified under the present circumstances. Lord, 125 Ill.
       App. 3d at 4, 465 N.E.2d at 153. However, there was evidence that the wife in Lord may,
       within two years of the judgment, develop Raynaud’s disease. Lord, 125 Ill. App. 3d at 3,
       465 N.E.2d at 152. The trial court determined if she did develop Raynaud’s disease, the
       court’s initial property division would be inadequate absent maintenance. Lord, 125 Ill. App.
3d at 3, 465 N.E.2d at 152. Likewise, in Bingham, the trial court reserved the issue of
       maintenance until the couple’s minor child, who was 16 at the time of dissolution, either
       turned 18 or finished high school, whichever happened later. Bingham, 181 Ill. App. 3d at
       967, 537 N.E.2d at 1159. In both Bingham and Lord, the Second District concluded the trial

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       court’s judgments were final despite the reservation of maintenance. The Bingham court
       explained, “As in Lord, the trial court’s *** judgment was a final determination on the then
       present lack of need of maintenance and the retention of jurisdiction to modify the order and
       to award maintenance later if circumstances warranted.” Bingham, 181 Ill. App. 3d at 972,
       537 N.E.2d at 1162.
¶ 42       The language used by the trial court in this case distinguishes it from Cannon, Lord, and
       Bingham, in that the trial court found Elizabeth was entitled to maintenance but Phillip could
       not afford to pay due to his “current circumstances and what is believed to be a temporary
       lack of income.” The court’s order essentially implies that, as soon as Phillip regains
       employment, the court will order Phillip to pay some amount of maintenance, although the
       order provides no indication as to how much that maintenance amount will be. Thus, unlike
       the courts in Cannon, Lord, and Bingham, the court here did not make a decision but provide
       for modification if circumstances later changed; rather, the court essentially declined to make
       a decision until Phillip’s financial and economic circumstances changed. We conclude that
       where, as here, the trial court’s order reserves the issue of maintenance for a future
       determination and does not set an amount of maintenance to be paid, the court’s order is not
       final for purposes of appeal.
¶ 43       Finally, Phillip cites In re Marriage of Marriott, 264 Ill. App. 3d 23, 30, 636 N.E.2d
1141, 1146 (1994), in which the trial court reserved maintenance for a period of six years,
       ordering the ex-husband to report on the status of his income on an annual basis and to report
       any gifts worth more than $1,000. In Marriott, the trial court made the decision to reserve
       maintenance based on the ex-husband’s inability to pay maintenance and still meet his
       reasonable needs. Marriott, 264 Ill. App. 3d at 30, 636 N.E.2d at 1146. Although the ex-
       husband testified that, at times, he experienced long periods of unemployment, at the time
       of the couple’s dissolution he was working 40 to 45 hours a week in a temporary position,
       and the trial court did not explicitly indicate it believed the ex-husband’s income was likely
       to change. Marriott, 264 Ill. App. 3d at 26, 636 N.E.2d at 1143. By contrast, here, the trial
       court specifically stated it believed Phillip was experiencing a “temporary lack of income.”
¶ 44       Moreover, here, the trial court reserved maintenance to be reviewed in just six months,
       along with the status of Phillip’s employment and financial circumstances. The court’s
       reservation of maintenance for this short period of time demonstrates a lack of finality in the
       court’s resolution of the issue. For this reason, Marriott, in which the trial court reserved
       maintenance for six years, and Cannon, Lord, and Bingham, in which the trial courts entered
       orders that would review or reserve maintenance for approximately two years, are all
       distinguishable.
¶ 45       Because the trial court did not resolve the issue of maintenance, the court’s order was not
       final, and we lack jurisdiction to consider the merits of Phillip’s appeal.

¶ 46                                  III. CONCLUSION
¶ 47      For the reasons stated, we dismiss Phillip’s appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

¶ 48      Dismissed.

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