Court Opinion

ID: 9658245
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 20:52:50.499369+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:53.129337
License: Public Domain

VANDE WALLE, Justice,
concurring specially.
I concur in the opinion authored for the court by the Chief Justice. I write separately because of my concern for what may happen in the future concerning the “alimony” ordered to be paid in this case. I recognize that we cannot determine now what the future will be. I also recognize, however, that parties read the opinions of the trial courts as well as the opinions of this court and from them derive what they believe will be the holding in any future litigation that might occur.
This court has, in the past few years, indicated rather strongly that alimony, or spousal support, as we prefer to call it, should when possible be used for rehabilitative purposes. Smith v. Smith, 326 N.W.2d 697 (N.D.1982). If rehabilitation is not possible alimony may become permanent to provide maintenance for the disadvantaged party. Briese v. Briese, 325 N.W.2d 245 (N.D.1982). The majority opinion recognizes these principles. In this instance Patricia is apparently unable to secure employment which would provide her with any substantial income at the present time. However, considering her age (apparently 38 at the time of trial) and her education and previous employment experience, attaining new skills should not be that difficult. My concern here is that the decree of the trial court may lull Patricia into concluding she is not obligated to make an effort toward rehabilitation but rather is entitled to alimony for maintenance purposes for the rest of her life because if her share of Gerald’s retirement does not reach $1,200 per month she will be entitled to the difference from Gerald. The trial court indicated that the amount of alimony was subject to the continuing jurisdiction of the trial court and may be altered. That is, of course, the law. However, I urge the trial courts to issue decrees that encourage — not force — the disadvantaged party to seek rehabilitation such as was done in Smith, supra. I firmly believe that a party who is rehabilitated and does away with the need for alimony, and thus severs the dependency on the other party, will, in the course of events, be a much happier person and productive member of society.