Court Opinion

ID: 3142771
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 17:57:10.286118+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:54:53.503084
License: Public Domain

ILLINOIS OFFICIAL REPORTS
                                            Appellate Court

                           In re Marriage of Dowd, 2013 IL App (3d) 120140

Appellate Court               In re MARRIAGE OF SHARON DOWD, Petitioner-Appellant, and
Caption                       MICHAEL DOWD, Respondent-Appellee.

District & No.                Third District
                              Docket No. 3-12-0140

Rule 23 Order filed           May 1, 2013
Motion to publish
allowed                       June 20, 2013
Opinion filed                 June 20, 2013

Held                          On appeal from a judgment dissolving the parties’ marriage, the trial
(Note: This syllabus          court’s award of 20% of respondent’s bonuses between $50,000 and
constitutes no part of        $100,000 per year and none of the bonuses over $100,000 and the denial
the opinion of the court      of her request for attorney fees were affirmed, since both parties had
but has been prepared         significant assets, and under the circumstances, the trial court’s decision
by the Reporter of            was not an abuse of discretion.
Decisions for the
convenience of the
reader.)

Decision Under                Appeal from the Circuit Court of Will County, No. 10-D-950; the Hon.
Review                        Robert Baron, Judge, presiding.

Judgment                      Affirmed.
Counsel on                 Howard M. LeVine (argued), Ross B. Shugan, and Brian W. Reidy, all of
Appeal                     LeVine, Wittenberg, Shugan & Schatz, Ltd., of Tinley Park, for appellant.

                           Gregory Jumbeck (argued), of Reich, Jumbeck & Associates, LLP, of
                           Joliet, for appellee.

Panel                      PRESIDING JUSTICE WRIGHT delivered the judgment of the court,
                           with opinion.
                           Justices McDade and O’Brien concurred in the judgment and opinion.

                                             OPINION

¶1          On August 3, 2011, the trial court entered a judgment dissolving the marriage of
        petitioner, Sharon Dowd, and respondent, Michael Dowd. On appeal, Sharon argues the trial
        court abused its discretion by awarding her only 20% of Michael’s bonuses between $50,001
        and $100,000 per year, and failing to award her any share of Michael’s bonuses exceeding
        $100,000 each year in her maintenance award. Sharon also argues the trial court erred by
        denying her petition for contribution to attorney fees. We affirm.

¶2                                             FACTS
¶3          The parties were married on September 14, 1990. No children were born during this
        marriage, a second marriage for each party. However, during the course of her marriage to
        Michael, Sharon assisted in raising Michael’s daughter from his first marriage.
¶4          On May 14, 2010, Sharon filed a petition for dissolution of marriage citing irreconcilable
        differences. By agreement, the trial court entered a temporary order requiring Michael to pay
        certain expenses pending resolution of all issues, including payments for the mortgage on the
        marital residence and $2,200 in monthly temporary maintenance to Sharon.
¶5          Ultimately, the parties resolved a majority of the dissolution issues by agreement but
        could not agree on the amount for maintenance. Therefore, the court scheduled a hearing for
        April 20, 2011 regarding any remaining contested issues. On that date, Michael filed a
        counterpetition for dissolution of marriage.
¶6          During the April 20, 2011 hearing, the court learned that Michael was currently employed
        as director of operations for City Beverage Illinois and had been employed by City Beverage,
        or its predecessors, since April 1984. Michael’s base salary from 2006 through 2010 was
        $150,000, but in April 2011, it increased to $165,000. According to Michael’s testimony,

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     Michael earned $290,0001 in total gross income for 2010, including $145,000 in gross
     bonuses. Michael testified that he is eligible to receive a bonus of up to $100,000 each year.2
     Michael testified that his current monthly income totaled $28,697.16,3 including annual
     bonuses, and his monthly expenses totaled $7,167.61. He anticipated his postdivorce monthly
     expenses to be $3,262. The balance on Michael’s 401(k) plan as of March 24, 2011 was
     $274,135.06.
¶7        The court also heard testimony from Sharon indicating she sold real estate on a part-time
     basis prior to, and during, the marriage, until 2005. In August 2010, Sharon began working
     at Salem Village Nursing Home and continued to work there between 24 and 32 hours each
     week for an hourly wage of $11. She hoped to increased her hours at the nursing in the near
     future, but explained she did not have plans to renew her real estate license because it
     required her to attend an 8- to 12-week program, which would be difficult while maintaining
     her employment at the nursing home. Sharon stated she suffers from reduced mobility in her
     left ankle, arthritis in her knee and hip, high blood pressure, a slow thyroid, and a goiter.
¶8        Sharon testified before the court regarding her financial contributions to the marriage.
     She stated that when her marriage to Michael began in 1990, her personal savings account
     contained approximately $58,000, representing her share of the proceeds from the sale of the
     home from her previous marriage. During the marriage, Sharon received an inheritance of
     approximately $90,000 in 1993, more than $216,000 in 2002, and an additional $430,000 in
     2005. The parties agreed Sharon used $22,000 from her personal savings account to purchase
     the lot for the home constructed by Michael and Sharon on Ryehill Drive in Joliet, Illinois,
     which the couple occupied for 12 years. According to Sharon’s testimony, she spent her
     $90,000 inheritance fund, received three years after her marriage to Michael, on a new sport
     utility vehicle and other expenses to remodel the basement of the couple’s residence on
     Ryehill Drive.
¶9        The parties stipulated that in 2001, they built a home on Schoolhouse Road in Manhattan,
     Illinois, for $629,000. The couple used $124,768.31 from marital funds and $184,231.69
     from Sharon’s nonmarital inheritance funds and secured a $320,000 mortgage for the balance
     for this project. The parties refinanced the Schoolhouse Road home in 2005 for $225,524,
     with Sharon contributing another $105,666.20 from her recent and substantial inheritance
     funds. As of April 20, 2011, the mortgage balance on the home was $68,000, and the home
     was listed for sale at $499,000.

             1
             On cross-examination, Michael acknowledged that a statement of his earnings from City
     Beverage showed his 2010 gross income to be $295,887.66, but that his 2010 W-2 showed his gross
     income to be $290,497.72, but could not explain the discrepancy.
             2
             In 2010, however, Michael received more than $100,000 in bonuses due to a sale involving
     City Beverage and Michael’s work related to that sale.
             3
             Michael’s subsequent testimony indicated this figure was a miscalculation based off of his
     weekly gross income, which was $2,884.62 per week. Due to the error, Michael’s monthly gross
     income was closer to $29,500.

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¶ 10       The parties stipulated that, as of April 20, 2011, Sharon had nonmarital property with a
       total value of $134,356, in the form of various accounts and a horse trailer. Sharon also
       owned an interest in a 40-acre parcel of property, valued at $16,000, located in Yavapai,
       Arizona, which she purchased with her parents. She explained to the court that she owned
       a 50% interest, plus one-third interest in the remaining 50%, pending the settlement of her
       parents’ estate.
¶ 11       The parties also owned a 50% interest in a Scottsdale, Arizona condominium, purchased
       in 2005 for $170,000, which was paid from Sharon’s inheritance money. The value of the
       condo as of April 20, 2011 was approximately $150,000, with the parties’ 50% interest being
       $75,000. The parties agreed that Michael would purchase Sharon’s interest in the condo for
       $37,500.
¶ 12       As to her current expenses, Sharon stated she spent $3,134 each month, to cover her
       groceries, utilities, vehicle expenses, and animal care costs, and excluding the expenses
       Michael was court-ordered to pay. Once the Schoolhouse Road home sold, Sharon expected
       her monthly expenses to be $7,515, without considering any amount to be designated for
       purposes of her future retirement. Sharon testified she would be required to board her horses
       upon the sale of the Schoolhouse Road home, creating an additional $1,000 monthly
       expense. Sharon anticipated her mortgage expense, postdivorce, to be approximately $1,900
       per month and that she planned to purchase a one-bedroom condo in Arizona for “low 60s
       to low 70s” resulting in a $400 monthly expense. After hearing arguments, the trial court
       took the matter under advisement.
¶ 13       On June 28, 2011, Sharon filed a petition for contribution to attorney fees and costs
       requesting the court to order Michael to pay $29,052.88. At the time of the petition, Sharon
       had already paid $22,500 to her attorney, leaving a remaining balance of $6,552.88.
¶ 14       Also on June 28, 2011, the trial court entered a written decision which determined
       Michael should pay $6,100 per month to Sharon as maintenance for the next five years and
       reviewable thereafter. In addition, the court decided that Sharon should receive 50% of
       Michael’s annual bonuses up to $50,000, 20% of his annual bonuses between $50,001 and
       $100,000, and no portion of his annual bonuses above $100,000. The court denied Sharon’s
       request for contribution to her attorney fees.
¶ 15       On August 3, 2011, the trial court entered a judgment for dissolution of marriage,
       incorporating its June 28, 2011 written decision and the parties’ agreements concerning the
       disposition of other property. At the time of the judgment, both Sharon and Michael were 55
       years of age. Pursuant to the judgment, Sharon was awarded the following: (1) $6,100 per
       month in maintenance; (2) 54% of the marital estate, including 54% of the net sales price of
       the marital home less $5,500; (3) nonmarital property valued at approximately $134,000
       including multiple accounts; (4) 50% of the parties’ cash accounts and 401(k) account; (5)
       the Kubota trailer, ATV, Ford F250, Acura and vacant Arizona land, valued in total at
       $70,000; (6) $37,500 from Michael, representing Sharon’s interest in the Arizona condo; and
       (7) specific personal property from the Arizona condo as agreed. In total, Sharon received
       approximately half of the $1 million in marital assets, and she received her nonmarital
       property in the amount of $134,356.

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¶ 16        Michael received the following: (1) 46% of the marital estate, including 46% of the net
       sales price of the marital home, plus $5,500 credit before the division of the proceeds for
       repair costs; (2) nonmarital property consisting of two life insurance policies; (3) 50% of the
       parties’ cash accounts and 401(k) account; and (4) the Arizona condo after a $37,500
       payment to Sharon for her interest.
¶ 17        On August 15, 2011, Sharon filed a motion to reconsider the judgment for dissolution
       of marriage arguing the trial court committed six errors, including, in relevant part, that the
       trial court erred when it ordered that Sharon would only receive 20% of Michael’s bonuses
       from $50,001 to $100,000 and denied her request for attorney fees. On January 19, 2012, the
       trial court conducted a hearing on Sharon’s motion to reconsider. After arguments, the trial
       court specifically noted:
                “I thought this case over very seriously. I spent a lot of time on this case. I did what
            I did for good reason.
                Just so, you know, I didn’t give her a bigger percentage out of his second bonus
            because in the final analysis, I thought to myself, I know I gotta take care of her for a
            long time.
                But I also gotta give him the incentive to keep working. And I couldn’t think of a
            better way to keep him [sic] incentive to work hard and just think to think that at least
            if he gets a second bonus by working hard, he can share a little bit larger share.
                And that was my motivation there. I think it was a good motivation, and I intend to
            stand by it.”
¶ 18        The trial court granted Sharon’s motion to reconsider regarding two issues not relevant
       to this appeal, but denied her requests to be awarded a greater share of Michael’s bonuses
       and for attorney fees. Sharon appeals.

¶ 19                                         ANALYSIS
¶ 20       On appeal, Sharon argues the trial court abused its discretion by awarding her 20% of
       Michael’s bonuses between $50,001 and $100,000 without providing her with any share of
       Michael’s bonuses above $100,000. She also contends the court erroneously denied her
       request for contribution to her attorney fees. Sharon requests this court award her 50% of all
       of Michael’s bonuses, or in the alternative, to remand the case to the trial court to determine
       her proper share of Michael’s bonuses. Michael responds that the trial court’s rulings were
       proper.
¶ 21       The trial court is allowed broad discretion to determine the propriety, amount, and
       duration of maintenance, and its judgment will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion.
       In re Marriage of Rogers, 352 Ill. App. 3d 896, 899 (2004). An abuse of discretion occurs
       only when the trial court’s ruling is arbitrary, fanciful or unreasonable, or no reasonable
       person could find as the trial court did. In re Marriage of Anderson, 409 Ill. App. 3d 191,
       199 (2011).
¶ 22       The benchmark for a determination of maintenance is the reasonable needs of a spouse
       in view of the standard of living established during the marriage as well as the duration of

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       the marriage, the ability to become self-supporting, and the lack of an income-producing
       spouse. In re Marriage of Selinger, 351 Ill. App. 3d 611, 620 (2004). Importantly, the trial
       court must consider all of the relevant statutory factors in establishing a maintenance award,
       but it need not make specific findings as to the reasons for its decision. In re Marriage of
       Reynard, 378 Ill. App. 3d 997, 1004 (2008).
¶ 23        Section 504 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the Act) (750 ILCS
       5/101 et seq. (West 2010)) lists 12 enumerated factors to be considered when a trial court
       renders an award of maintenance. 750 ILCS 5/504 (West 2010). In this case, the court
       received evidence regarding each spouse’s income and expenses. The court also heard
       testimony regarding the standard of living this couple enjoyed during the course of the
       marriage and the contributions each person provided to the marriage itself. The trial court
       issued a detailed written finding regarding the income, assets, financial positions of each
       party, and the standard of living established during the marriage, which are all statutory
       factors the court should consider under section 504. 750 ILCS 5/504(a) (West 2010).
¶ 24        Neither party is dissatisfied with the trial court’s award of fixed monthly maintenance,
       excluding bonuses, in the amount of $6,100. With regard to Michael’s annual bonuses, the
       trial court noted it had reviewed this case “very seriously” and developed a graduated
       approach to Michael’s bonuses as an incentive to encourage Michael to maintain his
       productivity because he would enjoy a larger share of his bonuses.
¶ 25        Further, the record demonstrates that Sharon’s reasonable needs will be met when
       considering the standard of living established during the marriage. In this case, the trial court
       found that Sharon would need $6,400 to maintain the standard of living she enjoyed during
       the marriage, a finding that is not challenged on appeal. This amount is easily satisfied when
       considering Sharon’s fixed award of $6,100 and her own income. In spite of the fact that this
       amount is met, the trial court also allowed Sharon a reasonable share of bonuses while
       encouraging Michael to work hard because he is not required to share such a large portion
       of his bonuses above $50,000. Due to the flexibility designed into the court’s order, Sharon
       is eligible to receive up to $35,000 per year in additional maintenance from Michael’s
       potential bonuses, beyond the fixed monthly amount of $6,100.
¶ 26        Based on our careful review of the record, we conclude the court’s decision to allow
       maintenance to be based on a fixed amount plus a graduated percentage of Michael’s annual
       bonus involved a thoughtful, well-reasoned approach, that was fair to each party. Therefore,
       we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in this case.

¶ 27                          Contribution to Sharon’s Attorney Fees
¶ 28        Sharon also contends on appeal the trial court erred by denying her petition for
       contribution to attorney fees. An award for attorney fees is within the sound discretion of the
       trial court and will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. In re Marriage of Morse,
       240 Ill. App. 3d 296, 312 (1993). The propriety of an award of attorney fees is dependent
       upon a showing by the party seeking them of an inability to pay and a demonstration of the
       ability of the other spouse to do so. Id. In this case, the trial court found that “both parties
       have sufficient assets to pay their own attorney’s fees.” We agree. Sharon received property

                                                 -6-
       and accounts valued in excess of $200,000, excluding the value of the marital home and her
       maintenance award. Based on this record, we conclude Sharon had sufficient income and
       assets to pay her own attorney fees.

¶ 29                                   CONCLUSION
¶ 30      For the foregoing reasons we affirm the trial court’s rulings regarding the award of
       Michael’s bonuses and the denial of Sharon’s petition for contribution to attorney fees.
¶ 31      The judgment of the circuit court of Will County is affirmed.

¶ 32      Affirmed.

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