In re the Marriage of Sikyta ( 2021 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA
No. 19-2136
Filed April 28, 2021
IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF ADRIANA SIKYTA
AND JASON SIKYTA
Upon the Petition of
ADRIANA SIKYTA,
Petitioner-Appellee,
And Concerning
JASON SIKYTA,
Respondent-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Wright County, DeDra Schroeder,
Judge.
Jason Sikyta appeals the decree dissolving his marriage to Adriana Sikyta.
AFFIRMED.
Jessica A. Millage of Cordell Law, LLP, Des Moines, for appellant.
Dani L. Eisentrager, Eagle Grove, for appellee.
Considered by Mullins, P.J., and May and Schumacher, JJ.
2
SCHUMACHER, Judge.
Jason Sikyta appeals the decree dissolving his marriage to Adriana Sikyta.
He argues the court’s award of spousal support in his favor is inadequate, the
property distribution is inequitable, and the court erred in awarding Adriana the
dependency deductions for the parties’ two minor children. He also asserts the
district court should have required that Adriana refinance the mortgage on the
marital home. Both parties request an award of appellate attorney fees.
I. Background Facts and Proceedings
At the time of trial, both parties were forty-one years of age and in good
health.1 The parties’ eldest child, who reached the age of majority prior to the
dissolution trial, was born in 1999 and was not living with either parent. The parties
were married in 2000 and initially resided in Lincoln, Nebraska. They had two
more children, both of whom were minors at the time of trial, born in 2002 and
2006. Both minor children attend school in Ankeny. The middle child has been
diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger’s Syndrome. He receives extra time for taking
tests and was earning “all A’s with one B.” Both parents expect him to further his
education after high school. At the time of trial in September 2019, the parties’
children were ages twenty, sixteen, and thirteen.
Both parties were employed when their first child was born. About one year
later, the parties moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska, so Adriana could attend nursing
school. Adriana continued her schooling for about one semester while Jason
1Approximately twenty years ago, Jason negotiated a $20,000 settlement with an
employer under a workers’ compensation claim for a back injury. He had shoulder
surgery approximately five years ago. He does not carry any work restrictions and
has not filed for disability.
3
cared for the child and did not work outside the home. After about six months, the
family moved back to Lincoln, where Adriana worked and Jason continued to
provide care for the child. They both took college classes. The parties then moved
to Colorado, where Jason obtained employment as a car salesman. The plan was
for Adriana to stay home and care for the child until she found employment.
However, when Jason quit his job after about two-and-one-half months, Adriana
obtained full-time employment to support the family and Jason resumed caring for
the child. The family moved back to Lincoln after about one-and-one-half years.
Shortly after the parties returned to Lincoln, their second child was born. A third
child was born while Adriana pursued her education. Adriana obtained her
bachelor’s degree in 2006 and master’s degree in 2008.
After Adriana obtained her master’s degree, the family moved to South
Carolina, where Adriana was employed as a physician assistant. While in South
Carolina, Jason was not employed outside the home. The two oldest children were
in school by that time. The family remained in South Carolina for about one year
and then moved to Clarion, Iowa, where Adriana maintained employment as a
physician assistant. The parties purchased the marital home in Clarion.
Approximately two-and-one-half years later, the family relocated to Cresco, Iowa.
Rather than sell the Clarion home, they elected to retain such as rental property.
About one year later, the family moved to Wisconsin. The family spent three years
in Wisconsin and then returned to Clarion, resettling in the marital home in 2016.
After the parties returned to Clarion, they vacationed frequently, taking a trip every
five to eight weeks. The district court found that the “parties lived beyond their
4
means and accumulated few assets and a significant amount of debt,” a finding
with which we agree.
The parties separated in October 2018. Adriana moved into an apartment
and filed a petition for dissolution of marriage in November. Adriana returned to
the marital home in Clarion in July 2019 when Jason and the children moved to
Ankeny.
At the time of trial, Adriana remained employed as a physician assistant in
the emergency department of a regional health services center, a position she has
held since 2011. Adriana currently works a seventy-two-hour shift, Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday, on a rotating schedule, three out of every five weekends.
She earns $88.73 per hour. In past years, Adriana also variously served as an
independent contractor. Her adjusted gross income was $209,597 in 2016,
$220,259 in 2017, and $202,436 in 2018. At the time of trial, Adriana testified her
annual income was $180,000–$185,000. She has an IRA valued at $526.43, and
she has contributed to the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS)
since 2009.
Jason pursued post-secondary education during the marriage but is nine
credits short of his bachelor’s degree. Jason has not worked outside the home in
nineteen years. According to Adriana, Jason spends his time as follows: “He plays
video games. He watches YouTube videos. He watches TV. Sleeps late.
Watches Judge Judy, enjoys when she gets on them for not working or being on
disability and tells them to get a job. Trolls the internet.” He also spends a couple
hours per day at the gym. Adriana agreed Jason staying home was beneficial “up
5
until a point.” Adriana, however, followed with a limitation concerning such benefit
on the families’ overall financial stability.
However, he—once the kids were in school, he was no longer
a stay-at-home parent. He was not keeping up on the housework.
The children were responsible for the dishes. The children were
responsible for a lot of the other chores. He expected me to do the
chores around the house. He often called it women’s work. He—
The children were responsible for the lawn maintenance. So I’m not
really sure what he was doing all day. So, no, I don’t think that there
was a lot of value in him continuing to stay at home after our youngest
started school.
Adriana testified that both she and his family urged him to find employment after
the youngest child began school, with his lack of employment being a source of
frustration for her.2
During the parties’ dissolution proceedings, Jason testified he had no plans
for pursuing employment. In the year leading up to trial, he “applied at a few
places” for some “[s]easonal work” paying $12.00 per hour. He testified if his
spousal support was lowered, he would seek employment. He agreed he could
obtain employment earning $12.00 per hour but only on a part-time basis given his
obligation to care for the children.3 However, he urged the court to impute no
income to him for purposes of calculating child support. He further testified the
court should impute additional income to Adriana that she could obtain in working
a second job.
2 Both Jason and Adriana agree that Jason’s family urged him to provide financially
for his family, with Jason’s father stating he was “tapped out” after providing money
to the family.
3 The parties stipulated to joint legal custody of the minor children with physical
care to Jason.
6
Adriana requested the court impute annual income to Jason of $31,200
based upon her assumption he could obtain full-time employment, earning $15.00-
$17.00 per hour. Jason requested spousal support of $84,000 per year in addition
to a child support award. Jason has no retirement assets in his name. He
requested Adriana’s IPERS be divided and, if he was imputed income, he be
entitled to claim one of the children as a dependent for tax purposes. Adriana took
the position Jason should not be entitled to her IPERS benefits due to the debt
load she was assuming and requested an award of both dependency exemptions.
Following trial, the court determined Adriana’s gross annual income to be
$215,000. The court found “Jason is capable of being employed full time” and
imputed him annual income of $24,960, concluding he is capable of obtaining full-
time employment earning $12.00 per hour and noting, “There is no reason Jason
should not be employed” and “it would be unjust to have the expectation that
Adriana alone should be responsible for the financial needs of the children.” The
court added that as the parties have significant debt, “it is necessary that Jason
step up to the plate to provide for the needs of the children so that the accumulated
debt can be addressed without impacting the children’s needs being met.” The
court awarded Adriana the dependency deductions for both children. The court
awarded Jason $1837 in monthly child support, which would decrease to $1343
when only one child remained eligible.
The court ordered Adriana’s IPERS benefits to be divided pursuant to the
Benson formula4 by way of a qualified domestic relations order. The court awarded
4See In re Marriage of Benson, 545 N.W.2d 252, 255 (Iowa 1996) (approving a
percentage method of allocating pension benefits).
7
Adriana $183,426 in assets and assigned her $437,823 of debt. The court
awarded Jason $20,500 in assets and assigned him $57,257 in debt. This debt
allocation required each of the parties be responsible for their own student loan
debts, most of which accrued during the marriage. The court highlighted that
Adriana’s student loan debt in the neighborhood of $300,000 dwarfed Jason’s,
which he testified amounted to $37,000. Finally, the court awarded Jason
rehabilitative alimony of $2000 per month for five years.
Each party filed motions to reconsider, enlarge, or amend pursuant to Iowa
Rule of Civil Procedure 1.904(2). In his motion, Jason complained of the court
imputing him income, the court’s spousal support award, the court’s award of both
tax dependency exemptions to Adriana, and not awarding him any equity in the
marital home. The court denied the motions. Jason appeals.
II. Standard of Review
Appellate review of dissolution proceedings is de novo. Iowa R. App. 6.907;
In re Marriage of Larsen, 912 N.W.2d 444, 448 (Iowa 2018). While we give weight
to the factual findings of the district court, especially when considering the
credibility of witnesses, we are not bound by them. Iowa R. App. P. 6.904(3)(g);
In re Marriage of Fennelly, 737 N.W.2d 97, 100 (Iowa 2007). Because the court
bases its decision on the unique facts of each case, precedent is of little value. In
re Marriage of Brown, 776 N.W.2d 644, 647 (Iowa 2009).
III. Analysis
A. Spousal Support
Jason argues the court’s award of spousal support in his favor is
inadequate. “[W]e accord the trial court considerable latitude in making th[e]
8
determination [of spousal support] and will disturb the ruling only when there has
been a failure to do equity.” In re Marriage of Stenzel, 908 N.W.2d 524, 531 (Iowa
Ct. App. 2018) (first and third alterations in original) (quoting In re Marriage of
Olson, 705 N.W.2d 312, 315 (Iowa 2005)).
Alimony is awarded under a gender-neutral classification, avoiding sexual
stereotypes, and can be ordered paid to either spouse. In re Marriage of Hass,
502 N.W.2d 286, 287 (Iowa Ct. App. 1993). Accordingly, we look at the facts of
this case through a lens of gender neutrality. We begin by noting whether to award
alimony depends on the particular facts of each case. In re Marriage of Fleener,
247 N.W.2d 219, 220 (Iowa 1976). Courts may grant an award of spousal support
in a dissolution proceeding for a limited or indefinite length of time after considering
all of the following relevant factors:
(a) The length of the marriage.
(b) The age and physical and emotional health of the parties.
(c) The distribution of property made pursuant to section
598.21.
(d) The educational level of each party at the time of marriage
and at the time the action is commenced.
(e) The earning capacity of the party seeking maintenance,
including educational background, training, employment skills, work
experience, length of absence from the job market, responsibilities
for children under either an award of custody or physical care, and
the time and expense necessary to acquire sufficient education or
training to enable the party to find appropriate employment.
(f) The feasibility of the party seeking maintenance becoming
self-supporting at a standard of living reasonably comparable to that
enjoyed during the marriage, and the length of time necessary to
achieve this goal.
(g) The tax consequences to each party.
(h) Any mutual agreement made by the parties concerning
financial or service contributions by one party with the expectation of
future reciprocation or compensation by the other party.
....
(j) Other factors the court may determine to be relevant in an
individual case.
9
Iowa Code § 598.21A(1) (2018).
“We consider alimony and property division together in assessing their
individual sufficiency. They are neither made nor subject to evaluation in isolation
from one another.” In re Marriage of McLaughlin, 526 N.W.2d 342, 345 (Iowa Ct.
App. 1994); see also In re Marriage of Smario, No. 10-1274, 2011 WL 2089593,
at *1 (Iowa Ct. App. May 25, 2011).
Our supreme court recently affirmed a complete denial of alimony to a
spouse whose education and historic earnings were substantially less than his
spouse, finding his modest employment left him with ample free time and he was
content with the less strenuous and convenient work schedule. In re Marriage of
Mann, 943 N.W.2d 15, 17 (Iowa 2020). The court further noted that he could have
expanded his economic prospects or domestic contributions if he so chose, instead
of sacrificing economic potential for the benefit of the family. Id. at 22. In Mann,
at the time of the trial, the parties had two young children, ages seven and three,
and the wife was awarded physical care of the children. Id. at 17. While Jason
was awarded physical care of the two minor children in the instant proceeding, the
Sikyta children are considerably older than the children in the Mann opinion. As
the district court noted, the children are of an age where “they will soon be on their
own and Jason will have the freedom to explore even more employment and
educational opportunities.”
The “types of spousal support—whether categorized as traditional,
rehabilitative or reimbursement—are not mutually exclusive.” Stenzel, 908 N.W.2d
at 531. We are not limited to awarding only one type of support or characterizing
10
the award as one form or another. Id. We are simply required to consider the
statutory factors and ensure equity is achieved between the parties. See id. Iowa
law is clear “that whether to award spousal support lies in the discretion of the
court, that we must decide each case based upon its own particular circumstances,
and that precedent may be of little value in deciding each case.” In re Marriage of
Gust, 858 N.W.2d 402, 408 (Iowa 2015).
We proceed to the statutory factors. The length of the Sikyta marriage is
near the twenty-year durational threshold. It is a factor we consider in an award of
alimony. See Iowa Code § 598.21A(1)(a); Gust, 858 N.W.2d at 410–11. Jason
stayed at home and provided care for the children, and Adriana provided for the
family financially. While Adriana took issue with Jason’s unemployment after the
children reached school age, he did provide childcare to non-school-age children
for roughly twelve years. Prior to the youngest child beginning school, which was
nine years before the dissolution trial, the parties appeared to agree Jason would
care for the children. See Iowa Code § 598.21A(1)(h). Given the parties’ ages
and health, both have many years left of employability. In the years immediately
following the dissolution, Adriana will unquestionably continue to have a higher
income. We find this factor weighs in favor of a spousal-support award in some
form.
While the parties’ educational levels were relatively equal at the time of the
marriage, both parties attended college during the marriage toward earning a
bachelor’s degree. Adriana obtained her bachelor’s degree, and two years later
she completed her master’s degree in physician assistant studies during the
marriage. Jason never completed his bachelor’s degree. He is nine credits short
11
of his bachelor’s degree. See id. § 598.21A(1)(d). We find this factor weighs in
favor of a spousal-support award in some form.
We turn to earning capacity. See id. § 598.21A(1)(e). While Jason took
issue with the district court imputing him income, he does not specifically hone in
on that issue on appeal, and Adriana did not cross-appeal the imputation as
inadequate. Given Jason’s nineteen-year absence from the job market and the
necessary efforts and expense required to elevate him to better employability, we
agree with the district court’s assignment of income to Jason. This factor also
weighs in favor of a spousal-support award in some form.
The imposition of a spousal-support obligation is predicated on the need of
the receiving spouse and the paying spouse’s ability to pay. See Gust, 858 N.W.2d
at 411; see also Iowa Code § 598.21A(1)(e), (f). “[T]he yardstick for determining
need [is] the ability of a spouse to become self-sufficient at ‘a standard of living
reasonably comparable to that enjoyed during the marriage.’” Gust, 858 N.W.2d
at 411 (quoting Iowa Code § 598.21A(1)(f)). As to need, we focus on the earning
capability of the party seeking maintenance, not necessarily actual income. Id.;
see Iowa Code § 598.21A(1)(e).
Jason’s earning capacity will be less than Adriana’s in the near future,
particularly as he reenters the workforce and furthers his education, if Jason elects
to do so. The disparity between the parties’ incomes will, at least initially, be
significant. See Gust, 858 N.W.2d at 411 (indicating such a disparity weighs in
favor of an award of spousal support). However, critical to our review is the
standard of living enjoyed during the marriage, along with debt. See Iowa Code
§ 598.21A(1)(f). While the parties did enjoy frequent travel, they were living well
12
beyond their means. This is not sustainable. For example, the district court found
the parties lived beyond their means and accumulated few assets and a significant
amount of debt. The parties owe income taxes from 2018; the real estate taxes
have not been paid. Adriana is currently being garnished for past-due medical bills
for the family and for a loan incurred during the marriage to pay past real estate
taxes. Adriana’s student loan was in default for a period of approximately five
years. Credit cards service a majority of their day-to-day expenses.
The result is a mountain of debt assigned to Adriana. Adriana has not
challenged the district court’s debt allocation. But for the gross disparity in their
incomes, a more equal debt allocation would have placed a substantial additional
debt in Jason’s allocation. In the absence of the large amount of marital debt,
Jason’s argument for a greater monthly amount or a longer durational period of
alimony would perhaps be stronger. Per the court’s property distribution, both
parties left the marriage in debt. See id. § 598.21A(1)(c). Factoring in each party’s
assumption of their student loan debt, Adriana left the marriage with a debt liability
of $437,823, nearly half of one million dollars, with Jason assuming just $57,257.
Adriana’s significantly worse fairing cuts against an award of spousal support. The
district court was no doubt mindful of these circumstances as it balanced the
spousal support needs of Jason with his ability to shoulder debt versus Adriana’s
ability to service the massive debt and still provide meaningful spousal support.5
5 We also recognize that educational loans are typically assigned to the party who
acquired the educational benefit. But here, that educational benefit provides the
foundation to support the spousal benefit to Jason. The education debt was in
effect a joint venture during the marriage, resulting in Adriana’s earning potential
for the benefit of the marriage. Jason wants the benefit of that debt, without any
responsibility for the debt. It seems a double-dip to assign all the debt to Adriana
13
As highlighted in the dissent, the parties to this appeal, unlike in Mann, have
limited assets. See 943 N.W.2d 15, 17–18. The dissent argues that this supports
a greater award of alimony to Jason. However, this argument also cuts the other
way. Without a substantial property settlement, Adriana is also in a worse position
than the spouse in Mann. See id. at 18 (each spouse receiving assets valued at
$359,316). She, like Jason, has little to fall back on to support Jason’s large
alimony request. Further, unlike the spouse in Mann, who received no alimony,
Jason received an alimony award of $120,000. See id.
In balancing the interests of the parties, we recognize recent changes in
federal income tax laws will result in spousal support payments by Adriana not
being tax-deductible, and the payments received by Jason will not be taxable. See
id. at 21; see also Iowa Code § 598.21A(1)(g). Given the facts of this case, we
cannot find on this record that the district court failed to do equity between the
parties. We find no punitive nature in the length or amount of the alimony award
to Jason. Here, the district court was faced with the arduous task of dividing a
mountain of debt with very few assets to offset the same. We find the district court
appropriately balanced the spousal support needs of Jason with Adriana’s ability
to pay spousal support and bear the burden of the bulk of the marital debt. Upon
our de novo review and consideration of the foregoing, we affirm the district court’s
award of alimony to Jason.
and require her to pay spousal support, but fail to factor in the debt associated with
creating her ability to pay the support. We agree with the district court’s allocation
of the debt, and its recognition that her “education supported and benefited the
family, and it is appropriate to consider both parties’ student loans in the division
of assets and debts.” We also consider her assigned obligation to service the debt
as a factor when considering Jason’s request and need for spousal support.
14
B. Property Distribution
Next, Jason claims the court’s property distribution was inequitable. Jason
notes his only retirement asset is his share of Adriana’s IPERS benefits and he will
receive limited social security benefits. However, the relief requested by Jason is
somewhat unclear. If Jason is requesting he be awarded more than his marital
share of the IPERS benefits pursuant to the Benson formula, we decline the
request.
Jason also complains the decree “contains no provision regarding the
necessity of removing Jason’s name from the mortgage” on the marital home,
which was awarded to Adriana. We question as to whether this issue remains a
justiciable controversy or is now moot, as the record indicates Adriana intended to
sell the home. In any event, our record contains a certificate of change of title
transferring the property to Adriana’s sole ownership. The district court ordered
that Adriana would be responsible for the mortgage payments and Jason could
pursue a contempt action if she failed to pay. We agree with Adriana that it would
be difficult or impossible to refinance the home given the fact that she was already
behind on mortgage payments. We affirm the district court’s decree concerning
Jason’s requested refinancing.
Jason also seems to request he be awarded his share of equity in the
marital home upon refinancing or sale.6 Considering the relevant factors contained
in Iowa Code section 598.21(5), we find Jason suffered no inequity on this point.
6 Jason does not challenge the valuation of the home awarded to Adriana. Adriana
testified to the condition the home was left in when Jason vacated the residence,
and she also testified as to the cleaning and work that needed to be done before
the house could even be listed for sale.
15
See In re Marriage of Schriner, 695 N.W.2d 493, 496 (Iowa 2005) (noting appellate
courts only disturb dissolution rulings upon a failure to do equity). The balance
sheet resulting from the court’s property distribution was heavily in Jason’s favor.
We would find it inequitable to place any more of the considerable debt accrued
by the parties during the marriage on Adriana’s side of the ledger, so we likewise
find it would be inequitable to move any assets from her side of the ledger to Jason.
As such, we affirm the district court’s distribution of the marital assets and debts.
C. Dependency Deductions
Jason argues the court acted inequitably in awarding Adriana the
dependency deduction for both of the children. The “general rule” is that “the
parent given primary physical care is entitled to claim the child as a tax exemption.”
In re Marriage of Seay, 746 N.W.2d 833, 836 (Iowa 2008). “However, courts have
the authority to award tax exemptions to the noncustodial parent ‘to achieve an
equitable resolution of the economic issues presented.’” In re Marriage of Okland,
699 N.W.2d 260, 269 (Iowa 2005) (citation omitted). “Giving the exemption[s] to
the noncustodial parent . . . may free up more money for the [children’s] care.” In
re Marriage of Rolek, 555 N.W.2d 675, 679 (Iowa 1996). And courts have
recognized “the ‘inequity of allowing the exemption to remain with the parent who
stands to benefit least.’” Id. (quoting Nichols v. Tedder, 547 So. 2d 766, 774 (Miss.
1989)).
Adriana had an annual income set by the trial court at $215,000, while
Jason did not intend to seek employment any time in the near future. Jason will
see little benefit, if any, if he is allowed to claim the children as dependents, while
Adriana will receive meaningful benefits if allowed to claim the children. Allowing
16
Adriana the deductions will free up more money for the children’s benefit, and we
conclude allowing Jason, who stands to benefit the least, to claim the children
would be inequitable. We affirm the court’s award of the deductions to Adriana.
D. Attorney Fees
Both parties request an award of appellate attorney fees. In determining
whether to award attorney fees, we consider the needs of the party making the
request, the ability of the other party to pay, and whether the party making the
request was obligated to defend the district court’s decision on appeal. In re
Marriage of McDermott, 827 N.W.2d 671, 687 (Iowa 2013). We also consider the
relative merits of the appeal. Id. While Adriana was required to defend the trial
court decision on appeal, Jason is not in a position to pay her appellate attorney
fees. Given the division of debt, Adriana is not in a position to pay Jason’s attorney
fees, and he is not the successful party on appeal. We determine each party
should pay their own attorney fees.
IV. Conclusion
We affirm the district court’s decree. We deny both Adriana and Jason’s
requests for appellate attorney fees. Costs on appeal are assessed to Adriana.
AFFIRMED.
May, J., concurs; Mullins, P.J., dissents.
17
MULLINS, Presiding Judge (concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I write separately to respectfully dissent as to the amount and duration of
the spousal support award affirmed in the majority opinion. I concur with all other
provisions of the majority opinion.
I agree with the factual findings made by the majority and only dissent as to
the final analysis of the spousal support award. Certainly, the debt load incurred
by this couple and the minimal wealth accumulation weigh heavily in favor of the
majority’s reasoning to affirm. But, as I look at this long-term marriage and
examine the likely future outcomes, Adriana’s income, even after debt service, will
be substantially higher than any reasonable expectation for Jason’s future income.
A simple estimation of her income over the next twenty years, when subtracted
from the debt obligations arising from the marriage, is hundreds of thousands—if
not millions—of dollars more than an estimation of his income earnings over the
next twenty years. The evidence is clear she would not have that income
expectation absent Jason’s willingness and ability to be a stay-at-home dad to take
care of the children and support Adriana in her advancement. While I recognize
the fair criticism of Jason’s apparent history of unemployment at times when he
could have been employed, including at the time of trial, I see a punitive aspect
toward Jason to the spousal support as ordered.
This case is distinguishable from In re Marriage of Mann. See generally
943 N.W.2d 15 (Iowa 2020). In Mann, the wife’s income was about $118,000, and
the husband’s imputed income was $36,000. Id. at 17. In the present case, the
district court found Adriana’s income was $215,000, and Jason’s imputed income
was $24,960. The income disparity is more than double than in the Mann case.
18
In Mann, the parties had accumulated a net worth in excess of $700,000 and
marital debts of less than $60,000, with the husband receiving a sizeable property
settlement as his equitable share. Id. at 19. Here, the parties had no net worth,
only substantial net debt. Unlike the parties in Mann, Adriana’s advancement of
her education and career opportunities was supported by and made possible in
large part by Jason. I do not diminish the importance of her own drive and her
obvious talent, but I seriously doubt she would have been able to accomplish her
career objectives as fast, if at all, without Jason’s support. This is not a case in
which we are dealing only with income disparity, without the important factor of
Jason’s role in assisting her educational and professional development. Under
these facts, and considering the statutory factors governing spousal support
awards, equity requires more than ordered by the district court and affirmed by the
majority.