Court Opinion

ID: 3179686
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-02-23 21:24:03.925846+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:17.913345
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Coward v. Coward, 2016-Ohio-670.]

                                      COURT OF APPEALS
                                    LICKING COUNTY, OHIO
                                  FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

JEFFREY R. COWARD                                JUDGES:
                                                 Hon. William B. Hoffman, P.J.
        Plaintiff-Appellant                      Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
                                                 Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
-vs-
                                                 Case No. 15-CA-46
SUSAN E. COWARD

        Defendant-Appellee                       OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                     Appeal from the Licking County Court of
                                             Common Pleas, Domestic Relations
                                             Division

JUDGMENT:                                    Affirmed in part; Reversed in part, and
                                             Remanded

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                       February 19, 2016

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant                      For Defendant-Appellee

STEPHEN B. WILSON                            JASON C. BLUM
35 South Park Place, Suite 150               52 West Whittier Street
Newark, Ohio 43055                           Columbus, Ohio 43206
Licking County, Case No. 15-CA-46                                                      2

Hoffman, P.J.

      {¶1}   Plaintiff-appellant Jeffrey R. Coward (“Husband”) appeals the May 29, 2015

Judgment Entry-Decree of Divorce entered by the Licking County Court of Common

Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, with respect to the spousal and child support awards.

Defendant-appellee is Susan E. Coward (“Wife”).

                          STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

      {¶2}   Husband and Wife were married on January 5, 1991. Three children were

born as issue of said marriage, one of whom was still a minor during the course of the

proceedings. Husband filed a complaint for divorce on March 4, 2014. Wife filed a timely

answer and counterclaim for divorce on April 4, 2014. Via Magistrate’s Order filed April

24, 2014, the magistrate ordered Husband to pay temporary spousal support in the

amount of $2,800.00 per month, and temporary child support in the amount of $465.37

per month. Wife was granted exclusive beneficial use of the marital residence.

      {¶3}   On November 10, 2014, the parties filed a Settlement Memorandum/Agreed

Judgment Entry-Decree of Divorce, which addressed all issues except for spousal and

child support. The magistrate ordered the parties to submit their respective memorandum

on the issues of spousal and child support by November 21, 2014. Wife filed her

memorandum and supporting affidavit on November 19, 2014.             Husband filed his

memorandum and supporting affidavit on November 21, 2014.

      {¶4}   Via Judgment Entry-Decree of Divorce filed May 29, 2015, the trial court

ordered Husband to pay spousal support in the amount of $2,800.00 per month, until the

marital residence sold, then $2,000.00 per month thereafter. The trial court retained

jurisdiction over both the amount and duration of spousal support, but did not set a
Licking County, Case No. 15-CA-46                                                          3

termination date. The trial court also ordered child support in the amount of $621.56 per

month.

       {¶5}   It is from this judgment entry Husband appeals, raising the following

assignments of error:

       {¶6}   “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO SET A DATE CERTAIN

FOR THE TERMINATION OF THE AWARD OF SPOUSAL SUPPORT FOR

DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.

       {¶7}   “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT COMPUTING CHILD SUPPORT

BASED ON THE CURRENT SPOUSAL SUPPORT AWARD.”

                                                 I

       {¶8}   In his first assignment of error, Husband contends the trial court erred in

failing to set a date certain for the termination of spousal support. We disagree.

       {¶9}   “Except in cases involving a marriage of long duration, parties of advanced

age or a homemaker-spouse with little opportunity to develop meaningful employment

outside the home, where a payee spouse has the resources, ability and potential to be

self-supporting, an award of sustenance alimony should provide for the termination of the

award, within a reasonable time and upon a date certain, in order to place a definitive limit

upon the parties' rights and responsibilities.” Kunkle v. Kunkle (1990), 51 Ohio St.3d 64,

554 N.E.2d 83, paragraph one of the syllabus.

       {¶10} In Hutta v. Hutta, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 10CAF40031, 2011–Ohio–3041,

we noted Kunkle does not stand for the proposition permanent spousal support is

mandated in marriages of long duration. However, “a marriage of long duration ‘in and of

itself would permit a trial court to award spousal support of indefinite duration without
Licking County, Case No. 15-CA-46                                                            4

abusing its discretion or running afoul of the mandates of Kunkle’.” Vanke v. Vanke

(1994), 93 Ohio App.3d 373, 377, 638 N.E.2d 630, quoting Corpac v. Corpac (Feb. 27,

1992), 10th Dist. No. 91AP-1036. Generally, marriages lasting over 20 years have been

found to be sufficient to justify spousal support of indefinite duration. Kraft v. Kraft, 5th

Dist. Fairfield No. 08–CA–0039, 2009–Ohio–5444.

       {¶11} We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding indefinite

spousal support to Wife. This was a marriage of long duration, 23 years. Throughout the

course of the marriage, Wife was a stay-at-home mother. Approximately one year prior

to Husband filing for divorce, Wife began working part-time as an eye technician. The

position eventually became full-time with Wife earning $13.65 per hour. Wife completed

only one year of college prior to the marriage, and is not in a position to dramatically

increase her earning capacity.

       {¶12} Husband currently works at Hertz, earning an annual base salary of

$89,170.00. Husband receives an annual bonus of up to 30% of his base salary. In

addition, he receives a car and per diem allowance. Husband has the resources and

ability to provide continuing support to Wife. See, Batten v. Batten, 5th Dist. Fairfield No.

09–CA–33, 2010–Ohio–1912; Hutta v. Hutta, 5th Dist. Delaware No. 10CAF40031, 2011–

Ohio–3041. Husband’s bonuses in 2012, 2013, and 2014, were $12,458.00, $16,477.00,

and $24,450.00, respectively.

       {¶13} Moreover, in this case, the potential burden on Husband of a permanent

order is ameliorated by the trial court's retention of jurisdiction to review and/or modify the

award. Wharton v. Wharton, 5th Dist. Fairfield No. 02–CA–83, 2003–Ohio–3857.

Husband is not precluded from seeking termination of the support award at a later date.
Licking County, Case No. 15-CA-46                                                       5

      {¶14} Husband's first assignment of error is overruled.

                                               II

      {¶15} In his second assignment of error, Husband asserts the trial court erred in

failing to compute his child support obligation based upon his current spousal support

obligation. We agree.

      {¶16} In Booth v. Booth (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 142, 541 N.E.2d 1028, the Ohio

Supreme Court determined the abuse-of-discretion standard is the appropriate standard

of review in matters concerning child support. In order to find an abuse of discretion, we

must determine the trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable

and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983), 5 Ohio St.3d

217, 219, 450 N.E.2d 1140.

      {¶17} R.C. 3119.022 governs the procedure for awarding and calculating child

support. The statute's overriding concern is to ensure the best interest of the child for

whom support is being awarded. Rock v. Cabral (1993), 67 Ohio St.3d 108, 110, 616

N.E.2d 218. Thus, the statute's provisions are mandatory in nature and courts must follow

the statute literally and technically in all material aspects. Marker v. Grimm (1992), 65

Ohio St.3d 139, 601 N.E.2d 496, paragraph two of the syllabus. If a trial court makes the

proper calculations on the applicable worksheet, the amount shown is “rebuttably

presumed” to be the correct amount of child support due. See Rock at 110, 616 N.E.2d

218. See, also, R.C. 3119.03.

      {¶18} The trial court completed the child support guideline worksheet and

determined the amount of Husband’s child support obligation to be $621.56 per month.

As discussed supra, the trial court ordered Husband to pay spousal support in the amount
Licking County, Case No. 15-CA-46                                                         6

of $2,800.00 per month until the marital residence sold, and $2,000.00 per month

thereafter. On the child support guideline worksheet, the trial court utilized a figure of

$24,000.00 as Husband’s annual spousal support obligation. The trial court apparently

arrived at the $24,000.00 figure using the $2,000.00 per month spousal support obligation

($2,000.00 x 12 months = $24,000.00). However, until the marital residence sells,1

Husband’s annual support obligation is $33,600.00 ($2,800.00 x 12 months =

$33,600.00).2 We find the trial court erred in failing to calculate Husband’s child support

obligation using the amount of spousal support Husband was actually paying, i.e.,

$33,600.00 annually.3 Accordingly, we remand the matter for the trial court to recalculate

Husband’s child support obligation, using the correct figure.

       {¶19} Husband’s second assignment of error is sustained.

1 The parties advised this Court that as of the date of oral argument (1/21/16), the marital
residence had yet to sell.
2 This also impacts Wife’s available income for purposes of calculating child support.
3 After the marital residence sells thereby reducing Husband’s monthly spousal support

obligation, Wife can move to modify the child support order.
Licking County, Case No. 15-CA-46                                                   7

      {¶20} The judgment of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic

Relations Division, is affirmed in part, and reversed in part and remanded for further

proceedings consistent with this Opinion and the law.

By: Hoffman, P.J.

Delaney, J. and

Baldwin, J. concur