Court Opinion

ID: 4179500
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-06-21 15:11:15.592918+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:39:04.413032
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                 No. 16-0790
                             Filed June 21, 2017

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF JANA JA VAN GENDEREN
AND MICHAEL LEE VAN GENDEREN

Upon the Petition of
JANA JA VAN GENDEREN,
      Petitioner-Appellee/Cross-Appellant,

And Concerning
MICHAEL LEE VAN GENDEREN,
     Respondent-Appellant/Cross-Appellee.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Jasper County, Richard B. Clogg,

Judge.

      Respondent appeals the parties’ dissolution decree on the issues of

property division, spousal support, child support, and guardian ad litem fees.

Petitioner cross-appeals. AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.

      Matthew B. Moore of The Law Offices of Matthew B. Moore, P.L.L.C.,

Oskaloosa, for appellant.

      Andrew B. Howie of Shindler, Anderson, Goplerud & Weese, P.C., West

Des Moines, for appellee.

      Heard by Danilson, C.J., and Potterfield and Bower, JJ.
                                         2

BOWER, Judge.

        Mike Van Genderen appeals the parties’ dissolution decree on the issues

of property division, spousal support, child support, and guardian ad litem fees.

Jana Van Genderen cross-appeals, claiming both spousal and child support

payments should be increased and requesting appellate attorney fees. We affirm

the district court as modified.

      I. Background Facts and Proceedings

        Jana and Mike Van Genderen were divorced on March 17, 2016, after

seven and a half years of marriage, including nearly a one-year separation. By

agreement, Jana was granted physical care of the parties’ children subject to

Mike’s visitation rights. The dissolution decree also divided the parties’ property,

established spousal and child support, and assessed court costs and guardian

ad litem fees.

        In the dissolution decree, the district court set out the testimony of the

parties regarding the value of property.     However, on many items, including

personal property removed from the marital residence by Jana, the corporation

owned by Mike, and the marital residence and adjacent shop, the district court

did not make a conclusive finding of value, but simply disposed of the property to

one party or the other. On other items, the district court entered valuations that

did    not   specify the amount     of   marital appreciation,   assigned    values

corresponding to documents dated years before the trial even though more up-

to-date valuations were provided, and noted it would not consider assets Mike

had liquidated during the marriage to pay debts. The district court also granted

Jana spousal support in the amount of $500 per month for thirty-six months. The
                                        3

district court required Mike to pay child support of $908.06 per month for two

children and $657.79 when only one child remained eligible for support.

       At Mike’s request, a guardian ad litem (GAL) was appointed as the issues

surrounding the children were fiercely contested prior to trial. In the decree, the

district court did not explicitly state how the GAL fees should be paid but did

order “the costs of this action shall be paid by Michael.” Jana testified she was

unable to pay the GAL fees. Mike asked the fees be divided equally between the

parties.

       Following the decree, Mike filed a motion to amend and enlarge. The

district court corrected some portions of the decree, amended others, and denied

others, including Mike’s request for the division of the GAL fees. Mike appeals,

claiming the court inequitably divided the parties’ property, improperly granted

spousal support, improperly calculated child support, and improperly denied his

request concerning the GAL fees. Jana cross-appeals, claiming spousal and

child support should be increased and asking for appellate attorney fees.

   II. Standard of Review

       Our review of equitable actions is de novo. Iowa R. Civ. P. 6.907. We are

bound to examine the record and adjudicate the rights of the parties anew. In re

Marriage of Williams, 589 N.W.2d 759, 761 (Iowa Ct. App. 1998). We will defer

to the district court’s determinations of credibility, as the court has a unique

opportunity to hear the evidence and view the witnesses.        In re Marriage of

Brown, 487 N.W.2d 331, 332 (Iowa 1992).

       Regarding the allocation of court costs and GAL fees, the law “is

straightforward.” See German v. Metcalf, No. 09-1470, 2010 WL 1875640, at *4
                                         4

(Iowa Ct. App. May 12, 2010). The district court “has a large discretion in the

matter of taxing costs and we will not ordinarily interfere therewith.” Neubauer v.

Newcomb, 423 N.W.2d 26, 27–28 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988).                   Therefore, in

addressing those issues our standard of review is for abuse of discretion.

German, 2010 WL 1875640, at *4.

   III. Property Division

      Mike claims the district court acted improperly by failing to find the value of

assets or making ambiguous valuations of assets resulting in an inequitable

division of the marital property. Mike claims the district court failed to make

valuations for the following: (1) the personal property Jana was awarded; (2)

Gendel, Inc., Mike’s race promotions business; (3) the marital residence,

including how much, if any, should be deducted for cracks in the basement wall;

(4) Mike’s workshop; and (5) the amount of debt for a car formally in Jana’s

possession but titled and subject to a loan in Mike’s name. Mike also claims the

district court made ambiguous valuations regarding: (1) Jana’s premarital IRA,

(2) Mike’s premarital annuity and IRA, (3) Mike’s mutual fund, and (4) the

property equalization payment.

      Our supreme court has noted specific valuation of marital property by the

district court is important “(1) to enable the reviewing court to assess whether an

equitable division of property was effected; and (2) to aid the parties in better

understanding their respective property awards, which would, in some cases,

dispense with the need for an appeal.” In re Marriage of Bonnette, 584 N.W.2d

713, 714 (Iowa Ct. App. 1998).      The district court failed to make sufficiently

specific valuations of the marital property in this case. From the district court’s
                                         5

dissolution decree alone it is impossible to determine if the net property

distribution or $50,000 property equalization is appropriate.

       The district court’s failure to make valuations as required by our supreme

court has underscored the valuations’ importance. In failing to make the proper

valuations, the district court created a ground for this appeal and required this

court to expend increasingly scarce judicial resources attempting to divine the

district court’s valuations instead of conducting a less intensive review to ensure

accuracy and equity.

          a. Valuation

       Jana claims the district court correctly refused to consider Mike’s mutual

fund. We agree. The mutual fund was liquidated in 2010 to pay marital debts

and avoid bankruptcy. This liquidation does not entitle Mike to an offset.

       After a careful review of the record including trial testimony, exhibits, and

the district court’s dissolution decree, we find the proper valuations of the marital

property at issue are as follows:

      Mike’s race promotions corporation, Gendel, $17,428, consistent with

       Mike’s exhibit U.   We find Jana’s contribution to the business was so

       substantial as to entitle her to half the value of the corporation and not

       only the marital appreciation.

      Marital Residence, $10,387.40. The marital appreciation of home equity

       was $29,750.90. We accept Mike’s evidence the repairs required on the

       basement would cost $19,363.50.

      Mike’s shop, a marital appreciation of $10,580.

      Mike’s annuity (#524), a marital appreciation of $5153.43.
                                            6

      Mike’s IRA, a marital appreciation of $1510.15.

      Mike’s whole life insurance, a marital appreciation of $29,608.34.

      Vehicles titled in Mike’s name, ($4095.62)

      Personal property taken by Mike, $41,390.

      Personal property taken by Jana, $8000.

      Credit Card Debt, ($46,529.61).

          b. Modification

       In accordance with our findings above we recalculate the distribution of

the parties’ assets and debts as follows:

                 Mike            Assets and Debts             Jana
            $17,428.00       Gendel, Inc.
            $10,387.40       Marital Residence
            $10,580.00       Shop
            $5153.43         #534 Annuity
            $1510.15         Mike’s IRA
            $14,804.17       Mike’s Life Insurance        $14,804.17
            ($4095.62)       Vehicles
            $41,390          Personal Property to Mike
                             Personal Property to Jana    $8000.00
            ($46,529.61)     Credit Card Debt
            ($13,911.87)     Equalization Payment         $13,911.87

TOTAL       $36,716.05                                    $36,716.04

       To determine what constitutes equitable division in a dissolution

proceeding we must look to the factors listed in Iowa Code section 598.21(5)

(2015). These factors include the length of the marriage, premarital property

brought into the marriage by each party, the individual contributions to the
                                         7

marriage by the parties, age, health, earning capacity, and other relevant

circumstances. In re Marriage of Anliker, 694 N.W.2d 535, 542 (Iowa 2005). We

find the factors support an equal division of the marital assets. However, a set

off of much of the premarital value of assets, such as the house and various

financial accounts, is also appropriate in light of the marriage’s length and the

imbalance of assets brought into the marriage.        Therefore, we modify the

equalization payment from Mike to Jana to $13,911.87, less any amount already

paid.

   IV. Spousal Support

        Mike also claims the district court should not have awarded Jana spousal

support, or alternatively, improperly determined the amount and duration of the

support awarded. Jana asked the district court for spousal support in the amount

of $1000 per month for thirty-six months. In the final order, Jana was awarded

$500 per month for thirty-six months.

        “In reviewing questions related to spousal support, while our review is de

novo, we have emphasized that ‘we accord the trial court considerable latitude.’

We will disturb the trial court’s order ‘only when there has been a failure to do

equity.’” In re Marriage of Gust, 858 N.W.2d 402, 406 (Iowa 2015) (citations

omitted). “Whether spousal support is justified is dependent on the facts of each

case.” In re Marriage of Shanks, 805 N.W.2d 175, 178 (Iowa Ct. App. 2011).

               Upon every judgment of annulment, dissolution, or separate
        maintenance, the court may grant an order requiring support
        payments to either party for a limited or indefinite length of time
        after considering all of the following:
        a. The length of the marriage.
        b. The age and physical and emotional health of the parties.
        c. The distribution of property made pursuant to section 598.21.
                                        8

      d. The educational level of each party at the time of marriage and at
      the time the action is commenced.
      e. The earning capacity of the party seeking maintenance, including
      educational background, training, employment skills, work
      experience, length of absence from the job market, responsibilities
      for children under either an award of custody or physical care, and
      the time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or
      training to enable the party to find appropriate employment.
      f. The feasibility of the party seeking maintenance becoming self-
      supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to that
      enjoyed during the marriage, and the length of time necessary to
      achieve this goal.
      g. The tax consequences to each party.
      h. Any mutual agreement made by the parties concerning financial
      or service contributions by one party with the expectation of future
      reciprocation or compensation by the other party.
      i. The provisions of an antenuptial agreement.
      j. Other factors the court may determine to be relevant in an
      individual case.

Iowa Code § 598.21A(1); see also Gust, 858 N.W.2d at 407.

      The parties were married for seven and a half years, including a year of

separation. Jana initially worked as a graphic artist making $23,000 per year.

Prior to the marriage, Jana received a certificate from DMACC in architectural

technologies but never held a job in the field and worked as a waitress. During

the marriage, Jana assisted Mike with his business and cared for their children.

Jana is now pursuing a degree in elementary education and works part-time as a

waitress in Newton. Mike argues Jana is immediately employable at her former

earning capacity of $23,000 per year. We disagree.

      Jana testified she had not worked in her former capacity since 2003 and

she no longer had the skills and experience required. The district court noted

“Jana has been absent from the job market for several years in order to fulfill her

role as the primary caretaker for the parties’ two young children . . . .

Furthermore, Jana is unlikely to achieve the standard of living by her own efforts
                                         9

at this time to live reasonably . . .” We agree with this assessment. Jana will

require time and education to attain comparable employment. Upon our de novo

consideration of the factors and according the proper latitude to the district court,

we find the district court properly granted spousal support.

   V. Child Support

       Mike further claims the district court improperly calculated his child support

obligation.   After a de novo review of the record and evaluation of the child

support guidelines, we concur with the district court’s determination of Mike’s

child support obligation. Mike also claims the district court should have used

$23,000 as Jana’s income for purposes of calculating child support. For the

reasons set forth above, we find $23,000 to be an inappropriate income to impute

to Jana, and we decline to amend the district court’s ruling regarding Jana’s

income. Mike further claims he should be granted the dependency exemption for

both children. We again decline to modify the district court’s ruling and find the

division of the exemptions was equitable.

   VI. Guardian Ad Litem Fee

       Mike finally claims the district court acted improperly by refusing to divide

the GAL fee between the parties. The district court is afforded broad discretion

when assessing costs. Neubauer, 423 N.W.2d at 27-28. Mike requested the

GAL be appointed to help the parties resolve conflicts regarding custody and

visitation. During the trial, Jana testified she could not afford to pay any amount

toward the GAL fee. We hold the district court did not abuse its discretion by

assessing the full GAL fee to Mike as the party who requested the GAL and had

a greater ability to pay.
                                        10

   VII.    Cross-appeal

       The district court imputed income to Jana consistent with working full time

at minimum wage, $15,080, instead of using the amount of Jana’s actual income

based on the hours she worked. Jana cross-appeals, claiming the extra income

should not be imputed to her, and therefore, Mike’s spousal support and child

support obligations should be increased.        On her child support guidelines

worksheet Jana recorded her gross annual taxable income as $15,080, the

amount she now disputes. We find the district court properly relied on Jana’s

statements and so refuse to modify either support obligation.

   VIII.   Attorney Fees

       Finally, Jana claims she should be awarded appellate attorney fees. “An

award of attorney's fees is not a matter or right but rests within the discretion of

the court.” In re Marriage of Benson, 545 N.W.2d 252, 258 (Iowa 1996). We find

an award of attorney fees is inappropriate in this case.

       AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.