Court Opinion

ID: 9727854
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 13:51:17.48121+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:43.608983
License: Public Domain

WILLIAM G. CALLOW, J.
(1concurring). I concur with the majority but write separately to express my opinion that setting maintenance as a fixed percentage is appropriate in most cases. Where there is a fixed amount awarded for maintenance, any change in the paying spouse’s income requires court action to accomplish an adjustment to maintenance in the absence of a stipulation by the parties. However, by providing a percentage award, increases or decreases in the paying spouse’s income automatically result in a corresponding adjustment to the maintenance award. Because the costs associated with court intervention are substantial and because the parties involved are often financially distressed, the use of a percentage award and its automatic adjustment is preferable.
If circumstances which result from the application of the percentage change are unacceptable to either party, then judicial review of the maintenance may be sought. Because I conclude that the percentage method is the most appropriate vehicle to reflect a change in circumstance without the necessity of court intervention, I would permit a fixed percentage award.