Court Opinion

ID: 9698318
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 19:47:38.646254+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:40.144779
License: Public Domain

PRICE, Judge,
dissenting:
This is an appeal by the wife-appellant, Johanna F. Bees, from an order of $35.00 per week for alimony pendente lite directed to be paid to her by her husband, the appellee, Fred T. Bees.
On May 16,1975, Fred T. Bees filed a complaint in divorce A.V.M. against his wife, Johanna F. Bees. A petition was filed on behalf of the appellant for alimony pendente lite, counsel fees and costs, and a rule was granted. Depositions *24of the appellant and appellee were taken and filed. Argument was held and on June 2, 1976, Judge Richard D. Grifo of the court below entered an order directing that the petition be granted and that the appellee pay $35.00 per week as alimony pendente lite together with costs and counsel fees.
The appellant claims she needs $150.00 per week to support herself. The appellee is employed by Bethlehem Steel and has an additional income as an artist. In 1975, he reported an income of $23,331.89.
The award of alimony pendente lite lies within the sound discretion of the court. The factors to consider in making the decision include (1) the needs of the wife, (2) the husband’s income and (3) all the surrounding circumstances. Jeffery v. Jeffery, 228 Pa.Super. 64, 296 A.2d 873 (1972). We should also consider the wife’s income as part of those circumstances.
The wife in this case is 53 years of age and unemployed. She is in good health. She has in the past performed household work and was at one time employed in preparing payrolls. Her only present sources of income are a $3000.00 inheritance and $40.00 a month supplied by a daughter with whom she resides. She lives in the jointly owned property on which there are no encumbrances.
The court below found that the husband had a net income after taxes of $15,497.80. He also owns an automobile and has other assets worth $13,000.00. The lower court, taking into account the wife’s needs, her ability to work and the other surrounding circumstances, entered an order of $35.00 per week as alimony pendente lite, with counsel fees to date of $395.00 and costs of $120.40. Future counsel fees to final disposition at a rate of $50.00 per hour for the services of a senior attorney and $30.00 per hour for the services of a junior attorney were also awarded. All the elements of this order were manifestly reasonable and within the court’s discretion.
In Kayaian v. Kayaian, 223 Pa.Super. 103, 297 A.2d 136 (1972), we stated that this court hesitates to interfere with *25an award of alimony pendente lite except in cases of manifest abuse of discretion. I do not believe that manifest abuse of discretion is present here.
I would affirm the order of the court below.
JACOBS, President Judge, joins in this dissenting opinion.