Maintenance award reversed as appellate court does not see a reasonable basis for a significant disparity in the parties’ income where husband would have paid wife far more than 50% of the joint income. Not published, but citeable.
Holding maintenance open to wife rather than awarding maintenance affirmed after marriage of almost 30 years where parties agreed that husband would retire so the parties could do missionary work. Not published, but citeable.
$200 per month maintenance for 18 months was not sufficient – it does not cover the minimum expenses of maintaining the household and supporting the children.
Starting point for setting maintenance is 50% of joint income.
Maintenance is not based solely on need – it is not limited to those situations where a spouse cannot support his or her self.
(1) Factors in determining maintenance are support in accordance with needs and earning capacities and to ensure fair and equitable financial arrangements between the parties. (2) Goal of maintenance is to provide support at pre-divorce standards of living and may require more than subsistence needs. (3) When couple has been married many years and achieves increased earnings, it is reasonable to use equal division of total income as starting point.
(1) No abuse of discretion in granting unlimited maintenance where court noted custodial responsibilities for children and ensuring an adequate retirement. (2) Mention of disability of adult children by court when deciding maintenance was not error.
Maintenance award allowing wife to be a full time homemaker was reasonable.
No error found in awarding wife 40% of husband’s income.
(1) Court failed to individualize high standard of living. (2) Court erred in failing to consider wife’s savings and investment plans in her budget. (3) Court failed to consider wife’s non-economic contributions to the marriage. (4) Wife entitled to share in good fortune and elevated income. (5) Court must start maintenance analysis with 50-50 division of income.