William F. Harber v. Charlene M. Harber ( 2009 )

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
Present: Judges Frank, Alston and Senior Judge Coleman
WILLIAM F. HARBER
MEMORANDUM OPINION *
v. Record No. 2956-08-1 PER CURIAM
JULY 7, 2009
CHARLENE M. HARBER
FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF HAMPTON
Christopher W. Hutton, Judge
(Charles E. Haden, on brief), for appellant.
(Lawrence D. Diehl; Brandy M. Poss; Barnes & Diehl, P.C., on
brief), for appellee.
William F. Harber (husband) appeals a spousal support award to Charlene M. Harber (wife).
Husband argues that the trial court erred in (1) ordering a seventy-one-year-old husband to pay
$1,650 per month in permanent spousal support to his fifty-nine-year-old wife, thereby precluding
husband from retiring, and (2) imputing income to husband. Wife requests appellate attorneys’ fees
and costs. Upon reviewing the record and briefs of the parties, we conclude that this appeal is
without merit. Therefore, we summarily affirm the decision of the trial court. See Rule 5A:27.
We also grant wife appellate attorneys’ fees and costs.
BACKGROUND
“When reviewing a trial court’s decision on appeal, we view the evidence in the light
most favorable to the prevailing party, granting it the benefit of any reasonable inferences.”
Congdon v. Congdon, 40 Va. App. 255, 258, 578 S.E.2d 833, 834 (2003) (citations omitted).
*
Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
Husband and wife were married on August 31, 1974, and separated on March 30, 2005.
On March 2, 2007, the trial court entered a final decree, awarding $3,000 per month in
permanent spousal support to wife. The trial court imputed income to husband in establishing
the amount of spousal support. Husband appealed to this Court. We reversed and remanded the
matter to the trial court because the trial court improperly imputed income to husband based on
his pre-retirement income and improperly considered wife’s elevated expenses, which included
expenses for her adult children. See Harber v. Harber, Record No. 0559-07-1 (Va. Ct. App. Jan.
15, 2008). On March 31, 2008, the trial court held a hearing on the remand. The trial court
found that husband voluntarily retired in June 2005 at the age of sixty-nine, a normal retirement
age. Husband’s retirement coincided with his move to Florida and the beginning of his
relationship with another woman. Husband tried to find employment in Florida comparable to
what he had in Virginia, but was unable to do so. Husband worked as a substitute teacher in
Florida. He also received income from his pension and social security. Wife worked as a
cashier at a grocery store. The trial court based its spousal support award on husband’s present
ability to pay and wife’s need, less the expenses of the adult children living with her.
On December 5, 2008, the trial court entered an order awarding wife $1,650 per month in
permanent spousal support. Husband timely noted his appeal.
ANALYSIS
A trial court has broad discretion in awarding spousal support, and its ruling will not be
overturned unless there is an abuse of discretion. Brooks v. Brooks, 27 Va. App. 314, 317, 498
S.E.2d 461, 463 (1998) (citations omitted).
Spousal support award
Husband argues that the trial court erred in ordering him to pay permanent spousal
support to his wife because he could not retire. Husband contends that he retired at a normal
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retirement age prior to the trial court awarding spousal support to wife. Thereafter, he was
forced to use his savings and re-enter the workforce to pay his spousal support obligation. He
argues that wife is capable of supporting herself, and he should be allowed to retire.
“[T]he law’s aim is to provide a sum for such period of time as needed to maintain the
spouse in the manner to which the spouse was accustomed during the marriage, balanced against
the other spouse’s ability to pay.” Blank v. Blank, 10 Va. App. 1, 4, 389 S.E.2d 723, 724 (1990)
(citation omitted).
When considering an initial spousal support order or a
modification, the trial court must consider each spouse’s current
circumstances, including the fact that a party has retired, the
parties’ plans and expectations associated with the retirement, and
each parties’ earning capacities and needs at the time of the
hearing. However, the trial court cannot ignore the policy
underlying Code § 20-107.1 which balances the parties’ incomes
or their capacities to earn income against their respective needs.
Stubblebine v. Stubblebine, 22 Va. App. 703, 710-11, 473 S.E.2d 72, 75 (1996) (en banc).
Here, the evidence proved that husband received approximately $4,019.50 in income per
month from his pension, social security, and substitute teaching. His monthly expenses totaled
approximately $1,753.50. On the other hand, wife’s income was $1,142 per month from her job,
and she received $250 per month from her adult daughter who lived with her. Her monthly
expenses totaled approximately $4,460.
Husband argues that wife was capable of supporting herself; however, wife earned only
$7.15 per hour. Previously, the most she had earned during the marriage was $9.50 per hour as a
secretary. Husband presented no evidence that wife was underemployed.
In establishing its spousal support award, the trial court considered several factors from
Code § 20-107.1. The parties were married for more than thirty years. Husband was the primary
wage earner for the family, while wife raised their two children. The parties moved several
times during the marriage in order for husband to further his career goals. Husband was a
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college graduate with advanced training, whereas wife was a high school graduate. The parties
enjoyed a “nice” standard of living during the marriage.
The trial court emphasized that husband’s decision to retire “was virtually at the same
time” as he started a relationship with another woman and moved to Florida. The trial court
noted that husband’s move to Florida “was a substantial factor in reducing his ability to pay
reasonable spousal support after a lengthy marriage” because husband had a “much more likely
opportunity to work part-time in Hampton Roads” considering his skills, training, and education.
Therefore, even though husband voluntarily retired at a normal retirement age, his decision to
move to Florida greatly impacted his ability to support his wife in the manner to which she was
accustomed.
Husband’s obligation to support his wife did not end when he retired and moved to
Florida. The trial court found that husband had the ability to pay spousal support and wife had
the need for spousal support. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding
wife $1,650 per month in spousal support.
Imputing income
Husband next argues that the trial court erred in imputing income to him. He contends
that the spousal support award was based on his pre-retirement income.
In setting or modifying spousal support or child support, a court
may impute income to a party voluntarily unemployed or
underemployed. See Calvert v. Calvert, 18 Va. App. 781, 784, 447
S.E.2d 875, 876 (1994); Stubblebine, 22 Va. App. at 710, 473
S.E.2d at 75. Whether a person is voluntarily unemployed or
underemployed is a factual determination.
Blackburn v. Michael, 30 Va. App. 95, 102, 515 S.E.2d 780, 783-84 (1999).
In determining a spousal support award, the trial court may consider a party’s earning
capacity; however, “the award must be based upon the circumstances in existence at the time of
the award.” Payne v. Payne, 5 Va. App. 359, 363, 363 S.E.2d 428, 430 (1987).
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Here, there is no evidence that the trial court imputed income to husband. The spousal
support award was based on husband’s “present ability to pay.” Considering husband’s income
from his pension, social security, and substitute teaching, husband had sufficient income to pay
wife $1,650 per month in spousal support. Therefore, we find that the trial court did not impute
income to husband.
Attorney’s fees and costs on appeal
Wife asks this Court to award her attorney’s fees and costs incurred on appeal.
The rationale for the appellate court being the proper forum
to determine the propriety of an award of attorney’s fees for efforts
expended on appeal is clear. The appellate court has the
opportunity to view the record in its entirety and determine
whether the appeal is frivolous or whether other reasons exist for
requiring additional payment.
O’Loughlin v. O’Loughlin, 23 Va. App. 690, 695, 479 S.E.2d 98, 100 (1996). Having reviewed
and considered the entire record in this case, we find it appropriate to award wife attorney’s fees
and costs. Given that wife prevailed and husband’s arguments were substantially without merit,
we hold that wife is entitled to a reasonable amount of attorney’s fees and costs, and we remand
for the trial court to set a reasonable award of attorney’s fees and costs incurred by wife in this
appeal. See Marks v. Marks, 36 Va. App. 216, 218-19, 548 S.E.2d 919, 920 (2001). The trial
court on remand must determine the appropriate amount to award wife. In making this
determination, the trial court should consider that the arguments husband made on appeal were
found to be substantially without merit. See Bchara v. Bchara, 38 Va. App. 302, 318, 563
S.E.2d. 398, 406 (2002).
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CONCLUSION
For these reasons, we affirm the trial court’s judgment. Rule 5A:27. We also grant
wife’s request for appellate attorney’s fees and costs.
Affirmed and remanded.
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