Court Opinion

ID: 4435039
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-08-30 16:10:03.271818+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:53:05.872896
License: Public Domain

J-S13024-19

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 WILLIAM BURDA                             :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                           :        PENNSYLVANIA
                                           :
              v.                           :
                                           :
                                           :
 DOROTHY BURDA                             :
                                           :
                    Appellant              :   No. 1133 WDA 2018

                Appeal from the Order Entered July 11, 2018
              In the Court of Common Pleas of Bedford County
               Civil Division at No(s): 1121 for the year 2013

BEFORE:    BENDER, P.J.E., OTT, J., and STRASSBURGER*, J.

MEMORANDUM BY OTT, J.:                             FILED AUGUST 30, 2019

      Dorothy Burda (“Wife”) appeals from the trial court’s equitable

distribution order filed July 11, 2018. On appeal, Wife challenges the trial

court’s award of alimony. Based on the following, we affirm.

      The parties are well aware of the facts and procedural history, which

this Court summarized in our July 30, 2019 memorandum. We briefly note,

in that memorandum, we affirmed the trial court’s decision with respect to

equitable distribution. However, we remanded for a more detailed explanation

by the trial court of the basis for its decision on permanent alimony.    On

August 6, 2019, the trial court issued a supplemental memorandum.

Accordingly, the matter is ripe for disposition.

____________________________________
* Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S13024-19

     In her remaining claim, Wife contends the trial court erred and abused

its discretion in awarding her alimony in a lesser amount than the spousal

support Husband previously paid her. Wife’s Brief, at 6. We disagree.

     “Our standard of review over an alimony award is an abuse of

discretion.” Gates v. Gates, 933 A.2d 102, 106 (Pa. Super. 2007). Section

3701(b) of the Divorce Code states:

     In determining whether alimony is necessary and in determining
     the nature, amount, duration and manner of payment of alimony,
     the court shall consider all relevant factors, including:

           (1) The relative earnings and earning capacities of the
           parties.

           (2) The ages and the physical, mental and emotional
           conditions of the parties.

           (3) The sources of income of both parties, including,
           but not limited to, medical, retirement, insurance or
           other benefits.

           (4) The expectancies and inheritances of the parties.

           (5) The duration of the marriage.

           (6) The contribution by one party to the education,
           training or increased earning power of the other party.

           (7) The extent to which the earning power, expenses
           or financial obligations of a party will be affected by
           reason of serving as the custodian of a minor child.

           (8) The standard of living of the parties established
           during the marriage.

           (9) The relative education of the parties and the time
           necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to
           enable the party seeking alimony to find appropriate
           employment.

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J-S13024-19

            (10) The relative assets and liabilities of the parties.

            (11) The property brought to the marriage by either
            party.

            (12) The contribution of a spouse as homemaker.

            (13) The relative needs of the parties.

            (14) The marital misconduct of either of the parties
            during the marriage. The marital misconduct of either
            of the parties from the date of final separation shall
            not be considered by the court in its determinations
            relative to alimony, except that the court shall
            consider the abuse of one party by the other party.
            As used in this paragraph, “abuse” shall have the
            meaning given to it under section 6102 (relating to
            definitions).

            (15) The Federal, State and local tax ramifications of
            the alimony award.

            (16) Whether the party seeking alimony lacks
            sufficient property, including, but not limited to,
            property distributed under Chapter 35 (relating to
            property rights), to provide for the party's reasonable
            needs.

            (17) Whether the party seeking alimony is incapable
            of self-support through appropriate employment.

23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701(b). “To determine whether alimony is necessary and to

establish the appropriate nature, amount, and duration of any alimony

payments, the court is required to consider all relevant factors, including the

17 factors that are expressly mandated by statute.” Lawson v. Lawson, 940

A.2d 444, 447 (Pa. Super. 2007) (emphasis in original).

                                      -3-
J-S13024-19

      Here, the trial court, in its Supplemental Memorandum, analyzed each

of the factors and provided a thorough and well-reasoned discussion of Wife’s

remaining issue on appeal. See Supplemental Memorandum, 8/06/2019, at

1-8 (discussing each of the factors relevant to a determination of alimony and

explaining how those factors justified its award of permanent alimony at the

amount previously determined).

      Our review of the record reveals ample support for the trial court’s

conclusions. Accordingly, we adopt the reasoning of the trial court and affirm

its July 11, 2018 order.

      Order affirmed.

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 8/30/2019

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t.._.,-.:; __ _.,. •__>..:---'e'..>                                                                               Circulated 08/22/2019 11:20 AM

                                                IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, BEDFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

                                            WILLIAM BURDA                                    No. 1121 for the year 2013

                                                                  Plaintiff

                                                           vs.                               Civil Action - Law

                                            DOROTHY BURDA

                                                                  Defendant                  In Divorce
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                                      .I                         SUPPLEMENTAL MEMORANDUM

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                                            AND NOW, August 6, 2019, the Court enters the following Supplemental                                   I
                                            Memorandum:                                                                                            J

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                                            On July 30, 2019, the Superior Court affirmed in part the trial court's opinion of July

                                            10, 2018, however, they also directed as follows, "we affirm on wife's first issue, and
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                                            remand this case to the trial court to issue a more detailed explanation of the reasons ·

                                            for its' decision and facts relied upon to reach that decision with respect to alimony,

                                            within 30 days of the receipt of the ccrlified record."                                            I
                                            Further, it appears the Superior Court was directing the Court specifically apply and
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                                            discuss each of the 17 factors contained in Section 3701(b) of the Divorce Code. In

                                            response to this directive we provide the following; as noted in the original petition:

                                            "Alimony, in Pennsylvania, is generally awarded to enable a party to support themselves
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                   when they are unable to otherwise do so; its purpose is to effect economic justice but

                   only if that justice cannot be achieved by way of equitable distribution." Grandovic v.

                   Grandovic, 564 A.2d 960 (Pa Super 1989.) (Trial Court's opinion of July 10, 2018, page

                   8.) Further, alimony is properly based on the reasonable needs of the recipient and may

                   not be premised solely on the relative property of the payor. Nemoto v. Nemoto, 620

                   A.2d 1216 (Pa Super 1993).

                   The property division approved by the Superior Court results in the Defendant, Dorothy

                   Burda, receiving approximately $138, 320.00 in value. This would include 50% of the

                   agreed upon current assets of $175,000.00, (Trial Court opinion of JulyI 10, 2018, page

                   6), and $50,878.00 of marital assets the Defendant, Dorothy Burda, removed without

                   the Husband's knowledge or consent. This amounts to 61% of the marital estate. The

                   Defendant, Dorothy Burda, also receives $700.00 a month in Social Security benefits,

                   (Trial Court's opinion of July 10, 2018, page 4.) The Defendant was 80 at the time the

                   Court's opinion was written, and is eligible for Medicare. (Trial Court's opinion of July

                   10, 2018.) The Defendant, Dorothy Burda, would need to pay for a Part B plan and so

                   the Court awarded the amount of $225.00 per month, this amount is above the average

                   cost of a Part B plan of $135.00 per month. So in essence, the Court ordered the

                   permanent alimony order because although the Defendant had access to a substantial

                   cash settlement, and Medicare, she would need financial aid for her Part B supplement.

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    'I             Applying the various factors under the Code provides the foUowing:

           I       Factor 1. The relative earnings and earning capacities of the parties. Both parties are

    I11l           retired. Husband's pension payments consists of a municipal pension of $334.76 a
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               month; a Bethlehem Steel pension in the amount of $141.13 a month and his Social

               Security in the amount of $1,833.30 a month. The Defendant, Dorothy Burda, has only

               Social Security in the amount of $700.00. Neither party is in good health, and neither

               can work. As noted in the earlier opinion, the Defendant's, Dorothy Burda, health is

               worse than the Plaintiffs including mental deterioration. As noted, in the original

               opinion, the hearing was stopped at one point to ensure whether the Defendant was

               competent to proceed unassisted, and the doctor recommended an advisor be

               appointed to assist her, and her daughter was appointed.

               Factor   2.   The ages and the physical. mental and emotional conditions of the parties.
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               As noted, the Plaintiff is 79 and the Defendant is 80 years of age, and as noted above,

       I       neither is in good health, neither can work.
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               Factor 3. The sources of income of both parties, including, but not limited to, medical,

               retirement, insurance or other benefits. The parties' sources of income are limited to

               Social Security, the Plaintiffs pension benefits, and the proceeds from the equitable

               distribution.

               Factor 4. The expectancies and inheritances of the parties. Neither party has any

               expectation of inheritances.

               Factor 5. The duration of the marriage. The marriage was oflong duration lasting 46

               years.

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          Factor 6. The contribution by one party to the education, training or increased earning
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          power of the other party. The record does not support any fending that either party

          contributed to the education, training or increased earning capacity of the other.

         Factor 7. The extent to which the earning power, expenses or financial obligations of

         a party will be affected by reason of serving as the custodian of a minor child. There

         were no children born of the marriage and the Defendant's, Dorothy Burda, children

         from her first marriage are grown and currently assist in her care.

         Factor 8. The standard ofliving of the parties established during the marriage. At one
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         point in their lives, the parties enjoyed a good standard ofliving. The Plaintiff normally

         was employed as a steel worker and a mechanic. The Defendant operated several very

         profitable businesses.     However, with their separation and health problems both

         parties' standard of living has been substantially reduced.

         Factor 9. The relative education of the parties and the time necessary to acquire

         sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking alimony to find appropriate

         employment. Given the Defendant's age, physical and mental limitations, there is no

         possibility of her to return to employment. The same is true for the Plaintiff.

         Factor 10. The relative assets and liabilities of the parties. As noted, the only assets

         the parties possess other than burial lots and a building lot of almost no value were the

         assets contained in the equitable distribution hearing. Specifically the $175,000.00

         stipulated by counsel. In addition, the Defendant, Dorothy Burda, has the $50,857.00

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of cash removed by her at the commencement of the divorce. The parties have about

$35,000.00         in credit card debt but it appears neither party is able financially to

liquidate this debt.

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Factor 11. The property brought to the marriage by either party. The record does not

disclose any substantial property brought into the marriage other than both parties

were willing to work hard, and the Defendant's business acuteness.

Factor 12. The contribution of a spouse as homemaker. The Defendant served as an

able homemaker despite her businesses and the Plaintiff did the outsidechores around
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the residence.

Factor 13. The relative needs of the parties. The parties' needs are similar, except as

noted, the Plaintiff, William Burda, retirement provides him with insurance. However,

he must pay $309.00 a month for this care. The Plaintiff also pays $475.00 a month
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for his apartment, which does not include utilities. The Defendant, Dorothy Burda, post .·

separation will need to rely on Medicare and she must be able to pay for a Part B

component. Although not clear, it appears the Defendant, Dorothy Burda, lives with

her one daughter who assists with her care.

Factor   14.The marital misconduct of either of the parties during the marriage. The j
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marital misconduct of either of the parties fr�m the date of final separation shall not be

considered by the court in its determinations relative to alimony, except that the court ,

shall consider the abuse of one party by :e other party. As used in this paragraph,
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       "abuse" shall have the meaning given to it under section 6102 (relating to definitions).

       There was no evidence of marital misconduct by either party.

II .   Factor 15. The Federal, State and local tax ramifications of the alimony award. Given
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1 '    the parties low income it appears unlikely that either party will be liable for income

       taxes and so an award of alimony will have little effect on either of them.

       Factor 16. Whether the party seeking alimony lacks sufficient property, including,

       but not limited to, property distributed under Chapter 35 (relating to property rights),

       to provide for the party's reasonable needs. As noted in the original opinion, it appears

       the Defendant, Dorothy Burda, will need assistance to meet her needs primarily medical

       msurance.    The amounts received in the divorce would be sufficient taken in

       conjunction with her Social Security to meet most of her needs. However, she will need
       assistance for her Part B plan and the $225.00 a month in permanent alimony would

       seem to do that plus provide some income about $90.00 a month to go to her expenses.

       The Defendant, Dorothy Burda, received a spousal support order of $557.79 in No. 200-

       S for 2013. However, pursuant to the Rule PRCP 1910.6-4 part IV, this order was

       entered based solely on the basis of the parties respective mcomes without

       consideration of assets in their possession.

       Factor 17. Whether the party seeking alimony is incapable of self-support through

       appropriate employment. As already noted the Defendant, Dorothy Burda, cannot and
       will not be able to support herself through employment.

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         In conclusion it appears permanent alimony is appropriate, but to leave it at the amount

         set in the spousal support order ignores the distribution of property received by her.

    ,,   The amount awarded appears sufficient to meet her needs. To award more would

         appear to convert the alimony received by the Defendant into a distribution of property

         and as noted in the Superior Court opinion, the parties choose not to proceed in that

         fashion.

                                                  By the Court:

         Counsel:

         For the Plaintiff:
                John C. Peters, Jr., Esquire

         For the Defendant:
                Anthony J. Zanoni, Esquire

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