Court Opinion

ID: 9721314
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 08:56:06.927308+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:24.726820
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE STOUDER, dissenting: I have no difficulty in affirming the trial court’s decision to continue maintenance payments of $12,396 a year to the wife, when the wife’s annual income is $29,124 and the husband’s annual income is $342,000. I disagree with the majority’s narrow interpretation of the meaning of rehabilitative maintenance especially when at the time of dissolution large increases in income are expected in the future. Rehabilitative maintenance does not mean mere survival. In re Marriage of Henzler (1985), 134 Ill. App. 3d 318, 480 N.E.2d 147, relied on by the majority, is readily distinguishable from the instant case. In Henzler, the property distribution specifically contemplated a change in circumstances allowing for reconsideration of the maintenance award. In the instant case, the property settlement mandated increases in the amount of maintenance as the husband’s income increased to $60,000 and applied a cost of living multiplier thereafter. The property settlement contemplated increases in the husband’s income and provided for concurrent increases in the maintenance award. Because I find the trial court did not abuse its discretion in the instant case, I dissent.