Court Opinion

ID: 2688179
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-07-31 21:46:46.32427+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:51:22.973760
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                              No. 3-1173 / 13-0668
                              Filed March 12, 2014

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF RICHARD HERBERS
AND MARY CATHARINE HERBERS

Upon the Petition of
RICHARD HERBERS,
      Petitioner-Appellant,

And Concerning
MARY CATHARINE HERBERS,
     Respondent-Appellee.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Dubuque County, Monica L.

Ackley, Judge.

      A husband appeals the economic provisions of a dissolution decree and

challenges a contempt adjudication and disposition. AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED

ON APPEAL; WRIT ANNULLED IN PART, SUSTAINED IN PART, AND

REMANDED.

      Christopher M. Soppe, Dubuque, for appellant.

      Jennifer A. Clemens-Conlon of Clemens, Walters, Conlon & Meyer, L.L.P.,

Dubuque, for appellee.

      Considered by Danilson, C.J., and Vaitheswaran and Potterfield, JJ.
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DANILSON, C.J.

       Richard Herbers appeals economic provisions of the dissolution decree

and the ruling on the motion to enlarge and amend. Specifically, he appeals the

award of spousal support to Mary Herbers. He also appeals the equalization

payment and contends the distribution of assets and liabilities was inequitable.

He asks that we modify the court’s order disposing of the marital home, requiring

Mary to sell the property. We agree a time should be fixed to list the property.

Richard also maintains the district court erred in finding him in contempt and

ordering him to pay $5325. Mary seeks an award of appellate attorney fees on

appeal. Upon our de novo review, we affirm the order of the district court as

modified and award Mary attorney fees in the amount of $2000.               Regarding

Richard’s writ of certiorari, we annul it in part, sustain it in part, and remand to the

district court for re-imposition of a contempt disposition.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings.

       Richard and Mary were married in June 1971. Richard filed a petition for

dissolution of the marriage on August 22, 2011. During the marriage, the parties

had four children. Each had reached majority by the time of the dissolution

hearing, which was held December 4, 2012.

       At the time of the hearing, Richard was sixty-two years old. He was self-

employed in the construction field, as he had been for many years. Richard had

recently suffered a heart attack but was apparently otherwise in good health.

Recent tax returns showed Richard earned approximately $60,000 a year.
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       Mary was sixty-one years old at the time of the hearing. She had been a

traditional stay-at-home mother during much of the parties’ marriage, and she

also helped Richard with his construction business. Although she never received

a salary, Mary stained and varnished woodwork, ran errands for the business,

and aided with the bookkeeping. Since the parties separated, she had found

part-time employment with a janitorial company, but she had suffered an injury to

her wrist before the hearing, which limited her ability to find work. Mary also

wrote a column for a magazine every other month; she is paid $300 for each

column.

       Following Richard’s petition for dissolution, the district court held a hearing

regarding temporary spousal support.             At that hearing, the court determined

Richard was not obligated to pay Mary spousal support during the pendency of

the proceedings but did order him to make all mortgage payments, beginning

with the November 2011 payment.          Mary filed two separate applications for

contempt, one in February 2012 and one in October 2012, after Richard failed to

make payments as ordered.         The court continued hearings on the contempt

application until the dissolution hearing.

       Mary also filed multiple motions to compel discovery throughout the

proceedings. Although the court granted the motions, Richard refused to comply

with the orders. Leading up to trial, the district court established deadlines by

which Richard was required to provide documents regarding finances and marital

property of the parties. He again failed to comply. As a result, Richard was

prohibited from presenting evidence concerning the areas of discovery he
                                            4

violated—specifically expenses related to his business, the values of various

equipment used for the business, and documentation concerning gifts or

inheritances. He was also prohibited from calling any witnesses as he had failed

to file a list of potential witnesses as required.

       Following the hearing, the district court issued a dissolution decree. In it,

the court ordered Richard to pay Mary alimony in the amount of $1000 a month

until he dies, divided the debts and assets of the parties, and ordered Richard to

make an equalization payment of $17,224 to Mary. The court also awarded Mary

the marital residence, stating she “shall be responsible for placing the home on

the market if she is unable to maintain the mortgage.” Finally, the court found

Richard in contempt for failure to make the mortgage payments and ordered him

to pay Mary $5325 as result. Richard appeals.

II. Standard of Review.

       We review equity proceedings de novo.         In re Marriage of Olson, 705

N.W.2d 312, 313 (Iowa 2005). We give weight to the district court’s findings,

especially regarding the credibility of witnesses, but are not bound by them. Iowa

R. App. P. 6.904(3)(g). “Precedent is of little value as our determination must

depend on the facts of the particular case.” In re Marriage of White, 537 N.W.2d

744, 746 (Iowa 1995).

       When a finding of contempt is challenged on appeal, we review the

evidence to ensure that proper proof—substantial evidence—supports the

judgment of contempt. Ervin v. Iowa Dist. Ct., 495 N.W.2d 742, 744 (Iowa 1993).
                                          5

“Because of the quasi-criminal natural of the proceeding, the finding of contempt

must be established by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id.

III. Discussion.

       A. Spousal Support.

       The district court ordered Richard to pay Mary alimony in the amount of

$1000 a month until he dies. Using a state mortality table and figuring Mary’s life

expectancy at 23.27 additional years, the court determined that Richard’s total

obligation is $279,240. Because Mary may outlive the projected period, Richard

was also ordered to maintain life insurance in excess of $100,000 with Mary as

the named beneficiary. Richard argues the court abused its discretion because it

failed to consider his ability to pay the monthly spousal support. He asks that we

modify the decree, reducing the amount of the monthly spousal support

obligation and ordering the benefit to cease when Mary reaches retirement age.

       Spousal support is not an absolute right. In re Marriage of Fleener, 247

N.W.2d 219, 220 (Iowa 1976). Whether spousal support is proper depends on

the facts and circumstances of each case.         Id.   Iowa Code section 598.21A

(2011) provides the relevant factors in considering whether spousal support is

appropriate, which include (1) length of marriage; (2) age and emotional and

physical health of the parties; (3) property distribution; (4) educational level of the

parties at the time of marriage and when the dissolution action is commenced;

(5) earning capacity of the party seeking alimony, including educational

background, training, employment skills, work experience, and length of absence

from the job market; and (6) feasibility of the alimony-seeking party to become
                                        6

self-supporting with a reasonably comparable standard of living to that enjoyed

during the marriage. See also In re Marriage of Hansen, 733 N.W.2d 683, 704

(Iowa 2007).

       Richard and Mary were married for over forty years. During much of that

time, Mary was responsible for raising the parties’ four children while Richard

worked outside of the home in his own construction company providing for the

economical needs of the family. Mary also helped with the business by doing the

bookwork and some manual labor. She was never given a salary for the work

she did. Mary only held a few other part-time positions outside of the home

during the marriage. At the time of the dissolution proceedings, she was sixty-

one years old, had few job skills, and had recently suffered work injuries that

limited the positions she was capable of accepting.     Mary was earning $300

every other month as a part-time writer at the time of the hearing, but was

otherwise unemployed. Because of her limited time working outside of the home,

Mary’s anticipated monthly social security benefit would be $280 at age sixty-two,

or $411 at age sixty-six.

       Richard argues he is unable to meet the $1000 monthly obligation. Part of

his argument is that the district court failed to determine his annual salary. The

district court estimated Richard had an annual salary of $60,000. Any failure to

be more specific regarding Richard’s income was a direct result of Richard’s

refusal to comply with discovery requests and a trial scheduling order.

Traditional spousal support is meant to support a spouse who is incapable of

self-support and “is payable for life or for as long as the spouse is incapable of
                                          7

support.” In re Marriage of Francis, 442 N.W.2d 59, 64 (Iowa 1989). “Traditional

alimony analysis may be used in long-term marriages were life patterns have

largely been set and the earning potential of both spouses can be predicted with

some reliability.” In re Marriage of Kurtt, 561 N.W.2d 385, 388 (Iowa Ct. App.

1997). Here, Mary is permanently incapable of self support after years of toil for

the family and reliance upon Richard’s income. We do not believe her status will

change when Mary reaches retirement age. We affirm the alimony award fixed

by the district court.

         B. Equalization Payment.

         Richard argues the district court’s distribution of marital assets and debts

was inequitable.     He argues the court failed to consider his medical debts,

equaling $40,446.25, as marital debt when dividing the parties’ assets and

liabilities. He argues that if the court had properly considered the debt as marital,

he would not be required to make an equalization payment of $17,224 to Mary.

He also argues that the court awarded him the 2007 Hyundai with a value of

$6300 but failed to take into consideration the loan of $11,859 for the vehicle. He

maintains the court erroneously considered fault of the spouses in making the

award.

         We agree with Richard that his medical expenses should have been

considered marital debt. Although the medical expenses were incurred during

the parties’ separation, they remained married, and the debt is a marital

obligation. We also agree it is error to include the value of an asset but not its

associated debt when determining a property distribution. However, we disagree
                                         8

that the district court considered fault when making the property award. Rather,

the court considered the economic conditions both parties face and what is fair

and reasonable to both parties.     In particular, we note that the district court

attempted to divide the property equally between the two parties.

       The question becomes whether the equalization payment is fair in light of

the district court’s failure to consider Richard’s medical expenses as marital debt

and the associated debt of the 2007 Hyundai. Our supreme court has stated:

       Even though a debt may have been incurred by a party for family
       expenses, it is not inequitable to order that party to be responsible
       for the entire amount of the debt as long as the overall property
       distribution is equitable. Debts of the parties normally become
       debts of the marriage, for which either party may be required to
       assume the responsibility to pay.

In re Marriage of Sullins, 715 N.W.2d 242, 251 (Iowa 2006) (internal citation

omitted). Moreover, although the trial date is ordinarily the date for fixing the

value of assets and debts, where the parties have been separated we have

“recognized the need for flexibility in making equitable distributions based upon

unique circumstances of each case.” In re Marriage of Campbell, 623 N.W.2d

585, 588 (Iowa Ct. App. 2001). Moreover, one fact not acknowledged in the

district court’s decree is that during the marriage Mary inherited $30,000 from an

aunt. These monies were used for family expenses. Although Mary has not

sought to have this sum set-off to her, it remains a consideration to do equity.

       No matter how we analyze the facts, the bottom line requires the property

division to be equitable between the parties based upon our statutory factors.

See Iowa Code § 598.21(5). Under these facts, we remain convinced that the

equalization payment is equitable for both parties.
                                        9

      Because of Richard’s failure to comply with a pretrial discovery order,

Richard was prohibited from presenting evidence and witnesses at trial. Perhaps

he could have established the inequality of the distribution if he had presented

evidence. However, based on the record before us, the distribution of assets and

subsequent equalization payment is fair and reasonable to both parties.

      C. Marital Residence.

      The district court awarded Mary the marital residence, stating:

             The marital residence is awarded to [Mary]. [Richard] shall
      execute a quit claim deed for the residence within 15 days of the
      date of this order.
             ....
             [Mary] shall be responsible for placing the home on the
      market if she is unable to maintain the mortgage. She shall be
      responsible for the utilities, maintenance fees, real estate taxes and
      insurance associated with ownership of the properties until it is
      sold. [Mary] may make any necessary repairs and/or cosmetic
      enhancement as recommended by the realtor to ensure the sale of
      the home. The costs for any repairs, etc. shall be reimbursed to
      [Mary].
             ....
             [List of mutual liabilities to be paid from the sale proceeds]
             Upon the closing of the sale of the residence, the proceeds
      shall be divided equally between the parties after paying all
      appropriate fees including real estate taxes, transfer tax,
      commissions, abstracting expense, attorney’s fees and other fees
      incident to the closing.

On appeal, Richard asks that we modify the decree to order Mary to sell the

marital residence and to set a timeframe in which it must occur.

      At first blush, the decree appears to award the property to Mary, but

because of the reference to its sale and the division of the sale proceeds, the

decree is more akin to an award of the right of possession until the property is

sold. We agree with Richard that the district court’s decree makes it appear the
                                          10

decision to sell the property is within Mary’s discretion. Although Mary expressed

at trial her intent to sell the property, we modify the decree to require her to

initiate the listing of the property to eliminate the possibility that she may keep

Richard in limbo for months or even years.          Accordingly, Mary shall list the

marital residence with a licensed realtor within three months of the issuance of

procedendo.

       D. Contempt.

       Richard maintains the district court erred when finding him in contempt for

failure to stay current on the mortgage payments for the marital residence and

erred in ordering him to pay attorney fees of $5325 as punishment for contempt.

Although a writ of certiorari challenging the legality of the district court’s action is

the proper remedy, we proceed to treat the case as if Richard had filed the

proper petition as he has requested. See Iowa R. App. P. 6.108 (“If any case is

initiated by a notice of appeal, an application for interlocutory appeal, an

application for discretionary review, or a petition for writ of certiorari and the

appellate court determines another form of review was the proper one, the case

shall not be dismissed, but shall proceed as though the proper form of review

had been requested.”); see also In re Marriage of Welsher, 274 N.W.2d 369, 371

(Iowa 1979).

       A contempt proceeding is essentially criminal in nature, and each element

must have been established beyond a reasonable doubt.               In re Marriage of

Ruden, 509 N.W.2d 494, 496 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993). Only willful disobedience of

a court order will justify a conviction for contempt. Id. In order to show willful
                                        11

disobedience there must be evidence of conduct which is intentional and

deliberate with a bad or evil purpose, or wanton and in disregard of the rights of

others, or contrary to a known duty, or unauthorized, coupled with an unconcern

whether the contemner had the right or not. Bell v. Iowa Dist. Ct., 494 N.W.2d

729, 730 (Iowa Ct. App.1992).

       We find substantial evidence supports the district court’s finding of

contempt. Richard was ordered to pay the mortgage payment on the marital

residence each month, commencing November 2011. There were two separate

instances of Richard missing multiple mortgage payments. Mary filed the first

contempt application on February 8, 2012. At that time, Richard had not yet

made either the December 2011 or January 2012 mortgage payment. Mary filed

a second contempt application on October 2, 2012, after Richard failed to make

either the August or September payment.         The district court continued the

contempt hearings until the time of the dissolution hearing. Richard’s failure to

make timely payments was willful. Although he claimed he missed payments

due to inability to pay, Richard chose to help his new paramour and her daughter

financially instead of making the mortgage payments, including helping purchase

a new car for the daughter. As a result of the multiple late payments, Mary’s

credit rating has suffered.

       Although we affirm the district court’s finding of contempt, the court erred

in ordering Richard to pay attorney fees as his punishment. Iowa Code section

665.4(2) provides the punishment for contempt as follows: “Before district judges,

district associate judges, and associate juvenile judges by a fine not exceeding
                                              12

five hundred dollars or imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months or

by both such fine and imprisonment.” Iowa Code section 598.24 permits the

imposition of attorney fees and costs for contempt where the grounds for the

contempt relate to a violation of the decree, but here, the decree had not yet

been entered. Iowa Code section 598.23 recites various alternatives to a jail

sentence not to exceed thirty days, but none of the alternatives are applicable to

these facts.1 The ninety days afforded Richard to pay the attorney fees might be

construed as a purge order, but the disposition provides that if unpaid after six

months it shall be paid from the proceeds of the house sale. Thus, we annul the

writ in part, sustain it in part, and remand to the district court for re-imposition of

punishment for contempt.

          E. Attorney Fees.

          Mary asks this court to award her appellate attorney fees.             Appellate

attorney fees are not a matter of right, but rather rest in this court’s discretion. In

re Marriage of Oakland, 699 N.W.2d 260, 270 (Iowa 2005).                    Factors to be

1
    Iowa Code section 598.23 provides:
                 1. If a person against whom a temporary order or final decree has
         been entered willfully disobeys the order or decree, the person may be
         cited and punished by the court for contempt and be committed to the
         county jail for a period of time not to exceed thirty days for each offense.
                 2. The court may, as an alternative to punishment for contempt,
         make an order which, according to the subject matter of the order or
         decree involved, does the following:
                 a. Withholds income under the terms and conditions of chapter
         252D.
                 b. Modifies visitation to compensate for lost visitation time or
         establishes joint custody for the child or transfers custody.
                 c. Directs the parties to provide contact with the child through a
         neutral party or neutral site or center.
                 d. Imposes sanctions or specific requirements or orders the
         parties to participate in mediation to enforce the joint custody provisions
         of the decree.
                                        13

considered in determining whether to award attorney fees include: “the needs of

the party seeking the award, the ability of the other party to pay, and the relative

merits of the appeal.” In re Marriage of Geil, 509 N.W.2d 738, 743 (Iowa 1993).

Because Richard’s income is greater than Mary’s and she was obligated to

defend the district court’s decision, we award her $2000 in appellate attorney

fees.

IV. Conclusion.

        We affirm the district court’s determinations regarding spousal support and

the equalization payment. We affirm as modified the provision regarding the

parties’ marital residence.    Richard’s writ for certiorari is annulled in part,

sustained in part, and remanded for imposition of a proper contempt disposition.

Finally, we award Mary appellate attorney fees in the amount of $2000. Costs on

appeal are assessed to Richard.

        AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED ON APPEAL; WRIT ANNULLED IN PART,

SUSTAINED IN PART, AND REMANDED.