Court Opinion

ID: 9725682
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 11:59:28.04237+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:17.829160
License: Public Domain

Connolly, J.,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
This court has held that a decrease in income for the payor spouse may constitute a change in circumstances calling for a reduction in alimony payments. See Cooper v. Cooper, 219 Neb. 64, 361 N.W.2d 202 (1985). See, also, Fogel v. Fogel, 184 Neb. 425, 168 N.W.2d 275 (1969). The evidence before us shows that Patrick was earning approximately $70,000 per year at the time he was ordered to pay alimony to Rosalie. However, due to his termination by Kellogg and his lack of education, Patrick is now earning approximately $18,000 gross per year. In light of this $52,000 decrease in income per year, it becomes obvious that a material change in circumstances has occurred.
However, according to the majority, Patrick must overcome a second and much more elusive hurdle by providing a justifiable reason for falling asleep at work during his night shift. The only evidence concerning Patrick’s termination by Kellogg is Patrick’s testimony that he was fired because he was sleeping at *780his desk during his lunch hour. There is nothing in the record that would lead one to conclude that he intentionally or through bad faith caused his termination. Absent such proof, the majority opinion concludes that “Patrick’s bad act resulting in the loss of his employment does not constitute good cause justifying the termination of his alimony obligation.” (Emphasis supplied.) Categorizing his falling asleep as a bad act seems harsh, since it is not an uncommon occurrence for night-shift workers.
As justification for reaching this result, the majority relies heavily on our decision in Ohler v. Ohler, 220 Neb. 272, 369 N.W.2d 615 (1985), wherein we held that incarceration for a criminal conviction does not warrant the reduction of child support obligations. In so holding, we cited a New Hampshire Supreme Court case which stated that “a petition for modification will be denied if the change in financial condition is due to fault or voluntary wastage or dissipation of one’s talents and assets.” Noddin v. Noddin, 123 N.H. 73, 76, 455 A.2d 1051, 1053 (1983). While I agree with this statement, it has no application in this case. The act of falling asleep on a night shift is hardly comparable to a criminal conviction carrying a 15-year sentence. Unlike the father in Ohler, Patrick committed no crime or “bad act”; he simply fell asleep during his lunch hour. There exists no evidence that this incident interfered with his work in any way.
Alimony should not be used to equalize the incomes of the parties or to punish one of the parties. Reichert v. Reichert, 246 Neb. 31, 516 N.W.2d 600 (1994). The relative incomes of the parties are close, with Patrick earning $18,000 per year gross and Rosalie $14,000 per year gross. Rosalie, unlike Patrick, has a college degree and potentially a higher earning capacity. To insist that Patrick continue to pay alimony based on his old salary of $70,000 rises to the level of a penalty and serves no useful purpose. I would affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals and terminate Patrick’s alimony obligation.
Wright, J., joins in this dissent.