Janice Lee Benthall v. Joe Miller Benthall, Sr. ( 2004 )

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
Present: Judges Frank, McClanahan and Senior Judge Coleman
Argued at Richmond, Virginia
JANICE LEE BENTHALL
MEMORANDUM OPINION* BY
v. Record No. 0190-03-4 JUDGE ROBERT P. FRANK
MARCH 23, 2004
JOE MILLER BENTHALL, SR.
FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
William D. Hamblen, Judge
Ronald L. Eakin for appellant.
Gregory A. Porter for appellee.
Janice Lee Benthall (wife) appeals a decision of the trial court reducing the amount of
monthly spousal support she received from Joe Miller Benthall, Sr. (husband) from $700 per
month to $400 per month. On appeal, wife contends the trial court erred in reducing her spousal
support award based on husband’s stated intention to retire. She also asserts the trial court erred
in reducing the spousal support award where husband presented no evidence comparing the
parties’ current needs and husband’s current ability to provide support with the circumstances of
the parties at the time the original support order was entered. For the reasons that follow, we
reverse the trial court’s reduction of spousal support.
BACKGROUND
“Under familiar principles we view [the] evidence and all reasonable inferences in the
light most favorable to the prevailing party below.” Martin v. Pittsylvania County Dep’t of Soc.
Servs., 3 Va. App. 15, 20, 348 S.E.2d 13, 16 (1986).
*
Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
The parties married in 1965, and the final divorce decree was entered on November 15,
1991. By order entered on August 19, 1992, the trial court ordered husband to pay wife $700 per
month in spousal support, commencing on September 1, 1992, until wife’s death or remarriage.
In April 2002, husband filed a petition to terminate or reduce the monthly spousal support
award on the ground that he had retired from the federal government and wife had begun to
receive $1,464 per month, her 40% portion of the marital share of his retirement pay, in
accordance with the equitable distribution award in the final divorce decree. At a December 9,
2002 hearing, husband testified he had retired from federal service in 1999, at which time he and
his former spouse began receiving the retirement pay. Husband’s gross income at the time of the
2002 hearing was $10,558 per month, which consisted of $3,800 in federal retirement pay and
$6,758 from his employment at BAE Systems. Husband testified he had a 401K plan with BAE,
but contended “it’s not very much” and it does not add “a whole lot” to his income.
In March 2002, husband and his current wife sold their house for $269,900 and purchased
another house for $365,000. Their monthly mortgage payment is $2,302. Husband testified he
had $150,000 in a credit union account, which he intended to use to reduce the mortgage on the
new house. Husband estimated he spent $300 per month on recreation and trips, and he gave
approximately $200 per month to a grandson. Husband’s monthly expense statement showed a
monthly excess of $294.
Husband, who was fifty-nine years old at the time, testified that he was “considering”
retirement from BAE and would be living solely on his federal retirement income. Husband
asserted it would be difficult for him to retire unless wife’s spousal support award of $700 per
month was reduced or terminated.
In August 1992, the date of the original spousal support award, wife was unemployed and
did not receive social security disability benefits or retirement benefits. Wife had not been
-2-
employed for about ten years and is unable to work because of medical disabilities. At the time
of the December 2002 hearing, wife was receiving $420 per month in social security disability
benefits, $1,464 per month from husband’s retirement benefits, and $700 per month in spousal
support.
Wife testified that, since the 1992 support award, she had sold her former residence and
had about $30,000 in a bank account, which was her sole asset. She had not purchased a new
residence, she had no permanent address, and she was living with relatives and friends pending
the outcome of the support hearing. Wife’s monthly expense statement showed a deficit of $600.
Wife also testified she would be losing her health insurance coverage at the end of the month,
and she would have to pay between $130 and $400 per month for supplemental health care
coverage.
The trial court found that a material change in circumstances in wife’s income had
occurred since the 1992 spousal support award, warranting a reduction in the spousal support
award. The evidence showed that in 1992, when the court ordered $700 per month in spousal
support, wife had no income. When the court considered husband’s motion to reduce his spousal
support obligation, the evidence showed wife was receiving $1,464 per month as her share of
husband’s pension and $420 per month in social security disability benefits. The trial court
reduced husband’s spousal support obligation from $700 per month to $400 per month based
upon wife receiving $1,884 in additional monthly income since the 1992 award. Wife filed a
motion to reconsider, which the trial court denied. Wife appeals the trial court’s decision.
ANALYSIS
“The determination whether a spouse is entitled to [a reduction or increase in spousal]
support, and if so how much, is a matter within the discretion of the [trial] court and will not be
-3-
disturbed on appeal unless it is clear that some injustice has been done.” Dukelow v. Dukelow, 2
Va. App. 21, 27, 341 S.E.2d 208, 211 (1986).
A party seeking modification of spousal support pursuant to Code § 20-109 bears the
burden of proving “both a material change in circumstances and that this change warrants a
modification of support.” Schoenwetter v. Schoenwetter, 8 Va. App. 601, 605, 383 S.E.2d 28,
30 (1989) (emphasis added). Not every material change of circumstances warrants a
modification of support. See Blackburn v. Michael, 30 Va. App. 95, 103, 515 S.E.2d 780, 784
(1999).
A material change in circumstances, standing alone, does not
provide a basis for the trial court to modify its support decree. A
modification is appropriate only after the court has considered the
material change in circumstances in relation to . . . the present
circumstances of both parties . . . . Thus, in a petition for reduction
of support, the trial court must assess whether the requested
reduction, based on a material change in circumstances, is justified
in light of the overall circumstances of both parties . . . .
Yohay v. Ryan, 4 Va. App. 559, 566, 359 S.E.2d 320, 324 (1987) (addressing modification of
child support). See also Furr v. Furr, 13 Va. App. 479, 481, 413 S.E.2d 72, 73 (1992).
We agree with husband that the evidence showed wife’s monthly income has increased
since the time of the original spousal support award. However, this change alone, when
considered together with the parties’ overall circumstances, did not warrant a modification in
support.
“Upon petition of either party the court may . . . [modify] spousal support . . . as the
circumstances may make proper.” Code § 20-109(A). “When considering the issue of spousal
support, whether in a modification or initial award determination, the trial court must take into
account the receiving spouse’s needs and ability to provide for the needs, and balance those
against the other spouse’s ability to provide support . . . .” Stubblebine v. Stubblebine, 22
Va. App. 703, 710, 473 S.E.2d 72, 75 (1996) (en banc). In addition, “[t]he trial court . . . may
-4-
consider earning capacity as well as actual earnings in fashioning the award so long as it applies
‘the circumstances in existence at the time of the award.’” Id. at 708, 473 S.E.2d at 74 (quoting
Payne v. Payne, 5 Va. App. 359, 363, 363 S.E.2d 428, 430 (1987)).
“[T]he ‘circumstances’ which make ‘proper’ an increase, reduction or cessation of
spousal support under Code § 20-109 are financial and economic ones.” Hollowell v. Hollowell,
6 Va. App. 417, 419, 369 S.E.2d 451, 452-53 (1988). In modifying a support award made under
Code § 20-107.1, the trial court should examine those same financial and economic
circumstances of divorcing parties that were relevant to determination of the earlier award,
including the parties’ needs and financial resources, earning potential, property interests, age,
physical and mental condition, and the duration of the marriage.
Here, the parties were married for twenty-six years. Most significantly, the evidence
showed a significant disparity in the financial resources of the parties and showed the ability of
husband to provide support and the need of wife for support. Husband receives $10,558 per
month in wages and retirement benefits. Wife, on the other hand, has income totaling $2,584 per
month, 25% of husband’s monthly income, which she receives through spousal support, social
security disability benefits, and her portion of husband’s retirement benefits.
As to the parties’ property interests, husband has $150,000 in a bank account, and he and
his current wife own a home valued at $365,000, subject to an outstanding mortgage. Wife owns
no real property, has no permanent address, is living with friends, and has $30,000 in cash as an
asset. Wife has no earning capacity and has numerous medical disabilities requiring treatment
with various prescribed medicines. Wife further testified that her monthly expenses would
increase at the end of December 2002, when she would need to obtain supplemental health
insurance coverage.
-5-
Husband’s testimony did suggest his income might decrease in the future. He testified he
was “considering” a second retirement from BAE, which would make paying $700 per month in
spousal support difficult for him. He pointed out that his earned income upon retirement from
BAE would be reduced by $6,758 per month. However, at the time of the hearing, husband had
not retired. The possibility of husband’s retirement, at the time of the hearing, was a prospective
change in circumstance. “[T]he court, in setting support awards, must look to current
circumstances and what the circumstances will be ‘within the immediate or reasonably
foreseeable future,’ not to what may happen in the future.” Srinivasan v. Srinivasan, 10
Va. App. 728, 735, 396 S.E.2d 675, 679 (1990) (quoting Young v. Young, 3 Va. App. 80, 81-82,
348 S.E.2d 46, 47 (1986) (quoting Thomas v. Thomas, 217 Va. 502, 505, 229 S.E.2d 887,
889-90 (1976))). Accordingly, the fact that husband planned to retire at some unspecified time
in the future was not a circumstance for the trial court to consider in determining whether to
reduce the spousal support award. The court made no finding or ruling that it considered
husband’s prospective retirement as a circumstance justifying the reduction in wife’s support
from $700 to $400 per month. As we presume the court followed the statutory mandates and
correctly applied the law, McGinnis v. McGinnis, 1 Va. App. 272, 277, 338 S.E.2d 159, 161
(1985), we conclude that the husband’s proposed retirement was not a factor in the court’s
reduction of wife’s spousal support.
Wife further argues that the trial court erred in reducing the spousal support award
because husband presented no evidence of the parties’ circumstances in 1992 when the spousal
support award was entered. Indeed, very little evidence was presented to the trial court regarding
the parties’ earnings, assets, debts, or circumstances in 1992. One document in the record
indicates wife’s monthly living expenses in 1992 were $1,581. Additionally, husband’s counsel
-6-
acknowledged in closing argument that husband’s income had increased since his retirement
from federal service in 1999.
Husband had the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that a reduction in
spousal support was justified. No evidence proved that husband’s income had decreased since
the 1992 spousal support award. Therefore, the only evidence before the court as to any possible
material change in circumstance was wife’s $1,884 monthly increase in income since 1992.
Accepting that wife’s increase in income was a material change in circumstance, considering all
of the other circumstances involving the parties’ assets, income, needs, and abilities that were
before the court, the evidence fails to support the conclusion that wife’s increased income, when
compared to her needs and husband’s assets and income, warranted a decrease in wife’s spousal
support award.
“In a petition for modification of . . . spousal support, the burden is
on the moving party to prove [by a preponderance of the evidence]
a material change in circumstances that warrants modification of
support.” Richardson v. Richardson, 30 Va. App. 341, 347, 516
S.E.2d 726, 729 (1999) (citation omitted). The petitioner must
demonstrate a material change in circumstances from the most
recent support award. The material change must relate to either the
need for support or the ability to pay.
Barton v. Barton, 31 Va. App. 175, 177-78, 522 S.E.2d 373, 374 (1999) (citations omitted).
The evidence showed that despite wife’s increased monthly income, husband has the
ability to pay wife $700 per month in spousal support. The uncontroverted evidence proved
husband spends $200 per month on his grandson, $300 per month for recreation and trips, and
still has a $294 positive cash flow in his monthly budget. Wife, despite an increase in income,
has a monthly deficit of $600. Given the disparity in the parties’ financial resources, wife’s
continuing need for support, and husband’s ability to provide spousal support, the change in
circumstance in wife’s income did not warrant a reduction in the amount of spousal support.
-7-
Therefore, we find the trial court abused its discretion in reducing the spousal support award.
We reverse the trial court’s decision and dismiss husband’s petition to modify spousal support.
Reversed.
-8-
McClanahan, J., concurring.
I concur with Judge Frank’s decision reversing the judgment of the trial court. I also
concur with Judge Frank’s analysis on the issue of reducing wife’s spousal support based on
husband’s intention to retire. However, I write separately on the issue of husband’s lack of
evidence comparing the parties’ current needs and husband’s current ability to provide support
with the circumstances of the parties at the time the original support order was entered. I would
not assume that wife’s increase in income was a material change in circumstances but instead
agree with appellant that it was husband’s burden to prove a material change of circumstances
and he failed to meet that burden.
The trial court specifically stated that it found the change in wife’s income to be the
material change of circumstances upon which it rested its decision.1 A court may modify spousal
support under Code § 20-109 if the party seeking the modification proves “that a material change
of circumstance has occurred since the last award or hearing to modify support and that the
change ‘justifies an alteration in the amount of support.’” Hiner v. Hadeed, 15 Va. App. 575,
579, 425 S.E.2d 811, 814 (1993) (quoting Yohay v. Ryan, 4 Va. App. 559, 566, 359 S.E.2d 320,
324 (1987) (citation omitted)). The court must find that a material change of circumstances has
occurred in order to nullify the preclusive effect of the court’s prior adjudication of support.
Hiner, 15 Va. App. at 580, 425 S.E.2d at 814. “In the absence of a material change in
circumstances, reconsideration of support that has been previously adjudicated . . . would be
barred by principles of res judicata.” Id.
1
The only changes to wife’s income were: (1) receipt of her share of husband’s federal
retirement benefits; and, (2) receipt of Social Security Disability Insurance payments. The
parties do not raise and, therefore, we do not address whether wife’s Social Security Disability
Insurance payments can be considered as a substitute for spousal support. See Blevins v.
Blevins, 225 Va. 18, 21, 300 S.E.2d 743, 745 (1983).
-9-
Wife was awarded forty percent, and husband sixty percent, of husband’s federal
retirement benefits at the time of the final decree. The fact that those benefits are now being paid
to the parties is not a material change of circumstances. It is no change at all, because the
equitable distribution award previously awarded it. Such an award was a division of the parties’
marital property. See Code § 20-107.3(G)(1) (providing that the court may order payment of a
percentage of the marital share of any pension or retirement benefits, as they constitute marital
property). See also Woolley v. Woolley, 3 Va. App. 337, 343, 349 S.E.2d 422, 426 (1986).
A distinct difference exists between a spousal support award and a property award made
pursuant to Code § 20-107.3. Spousal support involves a legal duty flowing from one spouse to
the other by virtue of the marital relationship. By contrast, a property award does not flow from
any legal duty, but involves an adjustment of the equities, rights and interests of the parties in the
marital property. Brown v. Brown, 5 Va. App. 238, 246, 361 S.E.2d 364, 368 (1987). In this
case, wife was awarded forty percent, and husband sixty percent, of husband’s retirement
benefits as part of the equitable distribution award. That award constituted an adjustment of the
equities, rights and interest of the parties in that particular marital property.
We presume that, at the time of divorce, the trial court considered the income wife would
receive from the retirement benefits before it determined the spousal support award. McGinnis
v. McGinnis, 1 Va. App. 272, 277, 338 S.E.2d 159, 161 (1985). Code § 20-107.1(E)(7) and (8)
require the trial court to consider the property interests of the parties when making a spousal
support award. See Stainback v. Stainback, 11 Va. App. 13, 15, 396 S.E.2d 686, 688 (1990).
Code § 20-107.1(E)(7) requires the court to consider “the property interests of the parties, both
real and personal, tangible and intangible.” Code § 20-107.1(E)(8) requires the court to consider
“the provisions made with regard to marital property under § 20-107.3.” Equitable distribution
must take place before a spousal support award can be made. See Frazer v. Frazer, 23 Va. App.
- 10 -
358, 381, 477 S.E.2d 290, 301 (1996); Kaufman v. Kaufman, 7 Va. App. 488, 493, 375 S.E.2d
374, 377 (1988).
To use the marital portion of the retirement benefits as both an asset under the equitable
distribution award and as income for the purpose of spousal support would be a double-counting
that unfairly penalizes the payee spouse. Although the trial court must consider the provisions
made with regard to the marital property under Code § 20-107.3 in fashioning spousal support, it
is improper for a trial court to treat assets divided in equitable distribution as income. Barker v.
Barker, 27 Va. App. 519, 500 S.E.2d 240 (1998). See also Ray v. Ray, 4 Va. App. 509, 514, 358
S.E.2d 754, 757 (1987). An award from a marital asset should not be used as a substitute for a
support award. “[T]he law does not require the wife to invade her estate to relieve the obligation
of her former husband.” Id. (quoting Klotz v. Klotz, 203 Va. 672, 680, 127 S.E.2d 104, 106,
(1962)).
I would hold that wife’s collection of her marital share of husband’s retirement benefits,
awarded to her in the equitable distribution at the time of divorce, was considered by the trial
court at the time the original award of spousal support was made and, therefore, cannot constitute
a material change of circumstances since that award. I would reverse the trial court on the basis
that husband has not proven a material change in circumstances.
- 11 -
Coleman, J., dissenting.
I respectfully disagree with the conclusion in Judge Frank’s plurality opinion, which
contains the controlling analysis for this case. In my view ample evidence supports the trial
judge’s ruling that a material change in circumstance had occurred in wife’s income since the
1992 support award and at the time of the 2002 modification hearing which justified the trial
judge reducing the support award from $700 per month to $400 per month. Accordingly, I
dissent.
“The determination whether a spouse is entitled to [a reduction or increase in spousal]
support, and if so how much, is a matter within the discretion of the [trial] court and will not be
disturbed on appeal unless it is clear that some injustice has been done.” Dukelow v. Dukelow, 2
Va. App. 21, 27, 341 S.E.2d 208, 211 (1986). A party seeking modification of spousal support
pursuant to Code § 20-109, bears the burden of proving “both a material change in circumstances
and that this change warrants a modification of support.” Schoenwetter v. Schoenwetter, 8
Va. App. 601, 605, 383 S.E.2d 28, 30 (1989). “When considering the issue of spousal support,
whether in a modification or initial award determination, the trial court must take into account
the receiving spouse’s needs and ability to provide for the needs, and balance those against the
other spouse’s ability to provide support . . . .” Stubblebine v. Stubblebine, 22 Va. App. 703,
710, 473 S.E.2d 72, 75 (1996) (en banc). One factor for the trial court to consider when
determining whether to modify spousal support is the financial resources of the parties,
“including . . . income from all pension, profit sharing or retirement plans.” Code
§ 20-107.1(E)(1).
Here, the facts proved a material change in wife’s income between 1992 and 2002 which
justified the trial judge’s reducing the monthly spousal support award by $300. I fail to see that
the trial judge abused his discretion. The amount of the reduction was commensurate with the
- 12 -
wife’s increased monthly income. Conceding, as Judge Frank notes in his opinion, that a
significant disparity may have existed in the relative incomes of the parties at the time of the
2002 hearing, the evidence shows that an even greater disparity existed in their incomes in 1992
when the original $700 monthly spousal support award was established. At that time husband’s
income was essentially the same in 1992 as it was at the 2002 hearing. Nevertheless, wife, who
had no income in 1992, was receiving at the time of the 2002 hearing $1,884 per month in
income from monthly pension payments and social security disability, in addition to the $700 per
month spousal support. Presumably, the court in 1992 had considered the parties’ needs and
abilities to pay and the disparities in their respective incomes when support was set at $700. The
only material change in circumstance that was shown to have occurred since 1992 at the 2002
hearing was that wife’s income had increased from $0 to $1,884. Although wife did introduce at
the 2002 hearing an expense statement that showed housing expenses and health insurance
expenses and a purported $600 monthly deficit, the trial court did not have to accept wife’s
monthly expense estimates as reasonable nor did the evidence show that these expenses had
changed or materially increased since the 1992 hearing. On those facts, the trial court did not, in
my opinion, abuse its discretion by reducing wife’s support from $700 per month to $400 per
month.
Judge Frank’s opinion further mentions in support of its reversal of the trial court’s
decision that husband and his current wife sold their former residence for $269,900 and
purchased another house for $365,000 for which their monthly mortgage is $2,302. The
evidence does not show whether husband has any equity in the new home. Furthermore, the
extent to which the current wife has contributed assets or income to acquire a more expensive
home or pay the mortgage are not assets that should be considered in computing husband’s
support obligation.
- 13 -
A disparity in divorcing spouses’ incomes, which often exists, does not justify an
appellate court on review from disregarding a trial court’s discretionary modification of a
support award where the evidence shows a material change of circumstance has occurred.
Despite the disparity in the parties’ incomes, the trial court may well have determined that the
$1,884 increase in wife’s monthly income was the only material change in circumstance that
occurred and that amount plus $400 in spousal support for a total monthly income of $2,284 was
sufficient to meet wife’s needs. In my opinion, the trial court’s decision is supported by ample
evidence and is not plainly wrong. Accordingly, because I would affirm the trial court’s
reduction in spousal support, I dissent.
- 14 -