Laird v. Laird

IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT ON APPEAL
(Memorandum Web Opinion)
LAIRD V. LAIRD
NOTICE: THIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PERMANENT PUBLICATION
AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY NEB. CT. R. APP. P. § 2-102(E).
STEPHEN MICHAEL LAIRD, APPELLEE AND CROSS-APPELLANT,
V.
ANNE DEBORD LAIRD, APPELLANT AND CROSS-APPELLEE.
Filed December 29, 2015. No. A-15-004.
Appeal from the District Court for Douglas County: TIMOTHY P. BURNS, Judge. Affirmed.
Douglas R. Switzer and Richard P. Hathaway, of Hathaway Switzer, L.L.C., for appellant.
Angela Dunne and Angela Lennon, of Koenig & Dunne Divorce Law, P.C., L.L.O., for
appellee.
IRWIN, PIRTLE, and RIEDMANN, Judges.
RIEDMANN, Judge.
INTRODUCTION
Anne Debord Laird appeals and Stephen Michael Laird cross-appeals from the order of the
Douglas County District Court, which dissolved their marriage. On appeal, Anne argues that the
district court’s requirement that Stephen agree to the children’s extracurricular activities before he
is required to pay for them is an abuse of discretion, as was the court’s division of Stephen’s 401K
account and failure to divide the equity in a marital vehicle.
On cross-appeal, Stephen challenges the court’s award of alimony and attorney fees to
Anne. We find no merit to any of the arguments on appeal or cross-appeal and therefore affirm.
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BACKGROUND
Anne and Stephen were married in 2005. Two daughters were born during the marriage;
one in 2005 and one in 2006. Stephen filed a complaint for dissolution of marriage on July 25,
2013. The parties agreed to share joint legal and physical custody of the children and generally
agreed to a parenting plan. They sold the marital home in November 2013 and equally divided the
proceeds of the sale. They also divided the balances of their bank accounts between them.
However, they were unable to agree on child support, payment of the children’s extracurricular
activities expenses, division of the marital estate, and alimony. Trial on these issues was held in
November 2014.
At the time of trial, Stephen was 45 years old. He had worked for his employer for
approximately 18 years and, at the time of trial, held the position of sales manager. He earns a base
salary of $210,000 plus approximately $25,000 to $30,000 in annual commission.
Stephen contributed to a 401K account through his employer prior to the marriage. At the
time the parties married, the balance of the account was $73,560; by the time the parties separated
in August 2013, the balance had increased to $363,897.26. The account is comprised of stocks.
Stephen testified that he follows the stock market and understands how it works. According to
Stephen, during the course of the marriage, the “S&P” grew at 40 percent, and he was aware that
his stocks performed closely to the S&P because he tracked them several times per week. Anne
agreed that Stephen regularly consulted financial pages and the stock market to track the value of
his 401K. He would tell her if the 401K lost or gained value every night when he came home from
work. Thus, according to Stephen’s estimation, the beginning balance of $73,560 would have
increased to approximately $101,852 during the marriage. Stephen agreed that this estimation was
an “educated guess” based on his consulting “Google Finance” a “couple times per week” during
the marriage.
At the time of trial, Anne was 42 years old. She has worked in the clothing industry for 17
years as a salesperson, merchandiser, and buyer. When she and Stephen married, Anne was
operating her own clothing business. The business closed in 2010, and Anne has been working at
a clothing boutique since that time. She works 25 to 30 hours per week and testified that she could
earn $35,000 per year if she worked full time.
Prior to the marriage, Anne earned a degree in finance. She continued working throughout
the marriage, and only took a few weeks of maternity leave following the birth of each child.
Stephen’s mother, babysitters, and nannies helped care for the children during the marriage while
Anne and Stephen worked.
Anne estimated that her expenses approximate $8,729 per month. She testified that the
expenses for the children exceed $1,000 per month and are only going to increase as they get older.
The girls both participate in a swim club two to three nights per week, year-round, which costs
$200 to $300 per month. They also play volleyball, with the older daughter playing on a club team,
and play tennis at least once per week. Anne joined a country club so the girls could participate in
swimming and tennis, which costs $190 per month for dues and an additional $170 per month for
swim team. Private tennis lessons at the country club cost $350 or $400.
Stephen asked the district court to set a limit on the expenses for the children’s
extracurricular activities. He said that financial matters caused significant disagreement during the
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marriage because Anne and he have differing spending philosophies. He is more of a saver and
views money as something “to take care of rather than find out how fast [they] can get rid of it,”
and according to Stephen, Anne has the opposite viewpoint. Because of this, Stephen was
concerned that if the court ordered Anne and him to share expenses, the spending “would get out
of control” and result in unnecessary or redundant purchases. Thus, he requested that the court use
the sole custody worksheet in order to calculate child support so that he would pay more support
each month but not order expense sharing to reduce the chance for disagreement between Anne
and him; in the alternative, Stephen asked that if the court used the joint custody worksheet to
calculate child support, it limit the amount of an expense so that the parties would have to agree to
it before being required to pay for it.
The district court entered a decree dissolving Anne and Stephen’s marriage on December
5, 2014. The court approved the parties’ custody arrangement and parenting plan. Using the joint
custody worksheet, the court calculated Stephen’s child support obligation at $1,636 per month
for two children and $1,189 for one child. The court further ordered that all reasonable and
necessary direct expenditures made solely for the children such as clothing, school expenses,
extracurricular activities, and employment-related child care expenses be allocated based on the
proportion of each parent’s contribution reflected in the child support worksheet. With respect to
Stephen’s request for a limit on extracurricular activities expenses, the court found that the
evidence clearly showed that the children are active in extracurricular activities “above and beyond
what the child support guidelines contemplate.” Therefore, in considering what constitutes a
reasonable expense associated with extra-curricular activities, the court added the following
provision: “Sporting or other activities, outside sports or activities directly associated with school,
must be agreed to before a party is responsible for their proportion of the expenses. This includes
fees for Country Club memberships.”
The court found certain property to be nonmarital and offset it to the appropriate party.
Stephen was awarded a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, valued at $24,890 with a lien of $10,683. The court
also divided the marital debts in a manner that will be explained in greater detail below. With
respect to Stephen’s 401K, the court found that the balance at the time of the marriage was $73,561
and the balance as of the date of separation was $363,897. It concluded that the estimated
appreciation on Stephen’s premarital retirement monies was approximately $28,291; thus, the
court offset $101,852 as Stephen’s premarital portion and awarded each party 50 percent, or
$131,023, of the remaining balance.
Stephen was ordered to pay alimony to Anne of $2,000 per month for 72 months, including
those months for which alimony had already been paid under a previously entered temporary order.
Finally, the court ordered Stephen to pay $7,500 of Anne’s attorney fees. Anne timely appeals to
this court and Stephen cross-appeals.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
On appeal, Anne assigns that the district court erred in (1) creating an improper conditional
provision for the payment of extracurricular and other expenditures made solely for the children,
(2) allocating to Stephen $28,291 from his 401K account, and (3) allocating all of the equity in the
Chevrolet Tahoe to Stephen.
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On cross-appeal, Stephen assigns that the district court erred in awarding Anne alimony
and attorney fees.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
In actions for dissolution of marriage, an appellate court reviews the case de novo on the
record to determine whether there has been an abuse of discretion by the trial judge. Coufal v.
Coufal, 291 Neb. 378, 866 N.W.2d 74 (2015). This standard of review applies to the trial court’s
determinations regarding custody, child support, division of property, alimony, and attorney fees.
Id. A judicial abuse of discretion exists when the reasons or rulings of a trial judge are clearly
untenable, unfairly depriving a litigant of a substantial right and denying just results in matters
submitted for disposition. Id.
ANALYSIS
Expenses for Extracurricular Activities.
Anne argues that the district court abused its discretion in creating an improper conditional
provision for the payment of the children’s extracurricular activities and that the child support
guidelines require that parents pay their proportionate share of all of their children’s expenses. We
find no merit to Anne’s arguments.
Anne argues that the provision is a void conditional clause, relying upon Strunk v.
Chromy-Strunk, 270 Neb. 917, 708 N.W.2d 821 (2006). In Strunk v. Chromy-Strunk, the
dissolution decree contained a settlement agreement providing the former husband with an
additional $75,000 judgment if, during his lifetime, the former wife voluntarily or involuntarily
disposed of the marital property granted to her. The Nebraska Supreme Court explained that a
“judgment” is a court’s final consideration and determination of the respective rights and
obligations of the parties to an action as those rights and obligations presently exist. Id. Orders
purporting to be final judgments, but that are dependent upon the occurrence of uncertain futures
events, do not necessarily operate as “judgments” and may be wholly ineffective and void as such.
Id. A conditional judgment may be wholly void because it does not “perform in praesenti” and
leaves to speculation and conjecture what its final effect may be. Id.
We find the language of the decree in the present case does not constitute a conditional
judgment. The provision determines the obligations of the parties as they presently exist to the
effect that if the parties agree to certain expenses, they are required to pay their proportionate share.
This requirement does not look to the future in an attempt to judge the unknown, as conditional
judgments do. Rather, the only unknown is the actual amount of the expense, an element that is
always unknown when divorcing parties are ordered to share the expenses of their children.
We further note that Nebraska law requires that parents pay a proportionate share of the
reasonable and necessary expenses for their children. Section 4-212 of the Nebraska Child Support
Guidelines provides that if child support is determined under this paragraph, all reasonable and
necessary direct expenditures made solely for the children such as clothing and extracurricular
activities shall be allocated between the parents, but shall not exceed the proportion of the obligor’s
parental contributions. In addition, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-364.17 (Reissue 2008) mandates that a
decree of dissolution incorporate financial arrangements for each party’s responsibility for
reasonable and necessary medical, dental, and eye care, medical reimbursements, day care,
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extracurricular activity, education, and other extraordinary expenses of the child and calculation
of child support obligations, but it does not require that each parent pay a proportionate share of
extraordinary expenses.
Here, in accordance with Nebraska law, the district court ordered that each party pay its
proportionate share of the reasonable and necessary expenses for the children, including clothing,
school expenses, extracurricular activities, and employment-related child care. However, it found
that the children are active in extracurricular activities above and beyond what is contemplated by
the child support guidelines, and therefore, the court set the financial arrangements for these
“extraordinary expenses of the child[ren]” as required by § 42-364.17 by requiring the parties’
agreement to the expenses.
The Supreme Court upheld a similar provision in a modification order in Caniglia v.
Caniglia, 285 Neb. 930, 830 N.W.2d 207 (2013). There, the trial court modified the parties’
dissolution decree such that the father would be responsible for a portion of extraordinary
expenses, including extracurricular activities, only if he agreed to the expenses. When the mother
challenged this provision on appeal, the Supreme Court accorded weight to the district court’s
reliance on testimony that the mother incurred extraordinary expenses solely to create financial
strain for the father and found no abuse of discretion in requiring the father’s approval.
While the evidence in the present case does not support a finding that the purpose of these
extracurricular activities is to increase Stephen’s financial responsibility, Stephen testified that
Anne and he have very different financial spending philosophies, which caused arguments during
the marriage. Namely, she is a spender and he is a saver. Stephen worried that if Anne and he were
ordered to share all of the children’ expenses, the spending “would get out of control.” Given the
Nebraska Supreme Court’s approval of a similar provision in Caniglia v. Caniglia, supra, we
cannot find that it was an abuse of discretion to require the parties to agree to the expenses for
extracurricular activities outside of those associated with school.
Appreciation on Stephen’s 401K.
Anne asserts that the district court abused its discretion in offsetting to Stephen an amount
characterized as appreciation on the premarital portion of his 401K. We disagree.
In a divorce action, the purpose of a property division is to distribute the marital assets
equitably between the parties. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365 (Reissue 2008). Equitable property
division under § 42-365 is a three-step process. The first step is to classify the parties’ property as
marital or nonmarital. Coufal v. Coufal, 291 Neb. 378, 866 N.W.2d 74 (2015).
As a general rule, all property accumulated and acquired by either spouse during a
marriage, including pensions and retirement plans, is part of the marital estate. Id; Neb. Rev. Stat.
§ 42-366(8) (Reissue 2008). Generally, amounts added to and interest accrued on such pensions
or retirement accounts which have been earned during the marriage are part of the marital estate.
Id. However, contributions made before marriage or after dissolution are not assets of the marital
estate. See id. Likewise, where the appreciation in the value of premarital property was due to
market forces and not due to any improvements made by the parties, it should be set aside and
treated as nonmarital property. See Shafer v. Shafer, 16 Neb. Ct. App. 170, 741 N.W.2d 173 (2007).
See also Van Newkirk v. Van Newkirk, 212 Neb. 730, 734, 325 N.W.2d 832, 834 (1982) (where
appreciation of a wife’s separate asset was due principally to inflation and market forces and not
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to any “significant efforts” by the husband, the appreciation should not have been included in the
marital estate).
In Coufal, supra, the husband participated in an employment-related retirement account
prior to the marriage, which earned statutorily required interest during the marriage. The issue on
appeal was whether the increase in value of the premarital portion of the retirement account should
be considered as part of the marital estate.
In reaching its decision, the Supreme Court observed that other courts have concluded that
an increase in value of such property during the marriage is not a marital asset when it is not caused
by marital efforts or funds, noting that this dichotomy in the appreciation of separate property has
been referred to as “active” appreciation versus “passive” appreciation. Coufal, 291 Neb. at 383,
866 N.W.2d at 78. Thus, in order to determine what portion of the husband’s retirement account
was nonmarital property, the court examined to what extent the appreciation in the premarital
portion of the account was caused by the efforts of either spouse.
The Coufal court determined that because the increase in value of the premarital portion of
the husband’s account was not derived from contributions by the parties during the marriage and
the increase in value of the premarital portion was readily identifiable and traceable to the
premarital portion, the increase in value should not be included in the marital estate. The court
noted that courts in other jurisdictions have reached similar conclusions. See e.g., Baker v. Baker,
753 N.W.2d 644 (Minn. 2008) (appreciation in premarital portion of husband’s retirement account
was separate property where husband did not devote significant effort to managing the fund or to
generating an increase in the account); In re Marriage of Raad, 301 Ill.App.3d 683, 704 N.E.2d
964, 235 Ill. Dec. 391 (1998) (increase in value of premarital portion of wife’s retirement account
was nonmarital property, but contributions during the marriage and subsequent appreciation in
value of that amount were marital property).
Further, in Sitz v. Sitz, 275 Neb. 832, 749 N.W.2d 470 (2008), the Nebraska Supreme Court
approved the division of the marital portion of a savings plan and the appreciation related thereto,
to the exclusion of the premarital portion and its appreciation. Prior to the marriage in Sitz, the
husband and wife entered into a premarital agreement whereby they agreed to “set apart” the
property they each had accumulated prior to their marriage. At the time of the marriage, the
husband owned a savings plan with a value of $28,631. The husband and his employer contributed
to the plan throughout the time of the marriage. Following the dissolution trial, the trial court
awarded the husband the premarital portion of the savings plan along with the interest on such
amount. Because the court had no evidence as to earnings on the investment, the court applied a
rate of return of 6 percent per year and determined that the approximate earnings on that investment
during the marriage were $52,563. The value of the savings plan at the time of separation was
$371,817. Thus, the trial court deducted $52,563 from the total to obtain the marital value of the
plan and awarded the wife 50 percent of that portion. The treatment of the premarital and marital
portions of the savings plan and the corresponding calculations and division were upheld on
appeal.
In the present case, the increase in value of the premarital portion of Stephen’s 401K
account was due solely to changes in the stock market. He testified that the plan administrator
chose the stock options from which Stephen could select for his 401K and that he did not change
the stocks, at least during the final 4 or 5 years of the marriage. Anne and Stephen agreed that
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Stephen closely followed the stock market and was aware of the changing value of his retirement
account. During the course of the marriage, the “S&P” grew at 40 percent, and Stephen testified
that his stocks performed closely to the S&P. Thus, he estimated that the premarital portion of his
401K account increased to approximately $101,852 during the marriage.
Anne complains that Stephen’s testimony was the only evidence of the increase in value
and that it was merely an “educated guess.” Brief for appellant at 12. At trial, when Stephen was
asked how much his 401K grew from 2005 to 2013, Anne’s counsel objected on foundation.
Without ruling on the objection, the court then asked Stephen how he calculated the growth, and
Stephen responded that he tracked the S&P and observed its growth rate between the time of the
marriage and the time of separation. Anne’s counsel made no further objection to this testimony.
If, when evidence is offered, the opposing party fails to object or to insist upon a ruling on
an objection to the introduction of such evidence, and otherwise fails to raise the question of its
admissibility, the opposing party waives whatever objection may have existed, and the evidence
is in the record for consideration the same as other evidence. See In re Interest of Kindra S., 14
Neb. Ct. App. 202, 705 N.W.2d 792 (2005). Therefore, any objection Anne has to the admissibility of
Stephen’s estimated value of the growth of his 401K has not been properly preserved for appeal,
and his testimony is in the record for the trial court’s consideration.
Further, we agree with Anne that Stephen’s testimony was uncontroverted as to the amount
by which his premarital portion increased. But, as noted above, this testimony was properly to be
considered by the district court, and it was subject to the court’s determination of credibility.
Although in a divorce action the case is reviewed on appeal de novo, the appellate court will give
weight to the fact that the trial court observed the witnesses and their manner of testifying and
accepted one version of the facts rather than the opposite. See Logan v. Logan, 22 Neb. Ct. App. 667,
859 N.W.2d 886 (2015). Obviously, a trial court weighs the credibility of the witnesses and the
evidence and determines what evidence should be given the greater weight in arriving at a factual
determination on the merits. Id. See also Griffith v. Drew’s LLC, 290 Neb. 508, 860 N.W.2d 749
(2015)(the weight to be given a witness’ testimony is a question for the trier of fact). We accord
weight to the fact that the district court accepted Stephen’s testimony as to the estimated
appreciation on the premarital balance of his 401K account. Accordingly, we find that the district
court did not abuse its discretion in offsetting this amount to Stephen as nonmarital property.
Equity in Chevrolet Tahoe.
Anne contends that the district court abused its discretion in failing to divide the equity in
the Chevrolet Tahoe between her and Stephen. Because each party received between one-third and
one-half of the marital estate, we find no merit to this argument.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-365 (Reissue 2008), the equitable division of property is a
three-step process. The first step is to classify the parties’ property as marital or nonmarital. The
second step is to value the marital assets and marital liabilities of the parties. The third step is to
calculate and divide the net marital estate between the parties in accordance with the principles
contained in § 42-365. Millatmal v. Millatmal, 272 Neb. 452, 723 N.W.2d 79 (2006). Although
the division of property is not subject to a precise mathematical formula, the general rule is to
award a spouse one-third to one-half of the marital estate, the polestar being fairness and
reasonableness as determined by the facts of each case. Id.
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We agree with Anne that the district court failed to divide the equity in the Tahoe, which
totaled approximately $14,200. However, the entirety of the marital estate was equitably divided
between the parties. Prior to trial, Anne and Stephen equally divided the proceeds from the sale of
the marital home, and each party received $8,130. They also divided the balances of their checking
and savings accounts at the time they separated, with Anne receiving $15,000 out of the $24,006.91
total. The parties received a tax refund after separation, which they divided equally so that they
each received $4,180.50.
In the decree, Anne was awarded 50 percent of the marital portion of Stephen’s 401K,
which equaled $131,023. Stephen received the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, and Anne received her
vehicle, but because it had been leased after the parties separated, it is not considered a marital
asset. The decree also recognized that the parties divided their household goods and personal
effects and each party was awarded the property currently in his or her possession. No value was
assigned to this property.
With regard to the marital debts, Stephen was ordered to pay two lines of credit totaling
$548.53; a Chase credit card with a balance of $4,420.31; an American Express credit card with
no balance at the time; and the new furnace for the marital home which cost $3,219. Anne was
ordered to pay a Nebraska Furniture Mart account with a balance of $1,278.32; a Gap credit card
with a balance of $2,696.69; a Chase credit card with a balance of $3,259.86; and a She-La credit
card with a balance of $324.43.
Without considering the value of the household goods and personal effects, the total value
of the marital estate was $309,126.77. Anne received $150,774.20, or 49 percent. Stephen received
$158,352.57, or 51 percent.
Although the division of property is not subject to a precise mathematical formula, the
general rule is to award a spouse one-third to one-half of the marital estate, the polestar being
fairness and reasonableness as determined by the facts of each case. Millatmal v. Millatmal, 272
Neb. 452, 723 N.W.2d 79 (2006). We conclude that where Anne was awarded 49 percent of the
marital estate and Stephen 51 percent, such a division is within the general rule and was not an
abuse of discretion. We accordingly conclude that the district court’s failure to divide the equity
in the Tahoe was not an abuse of discretion.
Alimony.
On cross-appeal, Stephen argues that the district court abused its discretion in awarding
alimony to Anne. In light of our standard of review, we find no merit to this argument.
In determining whether alimony should be awarded, in what amount, and over what period
of time, the ultimate criterion is one of reasonableness. Marcovitz v. Rogers, 267 Neb. 456, 675
N.W.2d 132 (2004). The purpose of alimony is to provide for the continued maintenance or support
of one party by the other when the relative economic circumstances make it appropriate. Id. In
awarding alimony, a court should consider, in addition to the specific criteria listed in Neb. Rev.
Stat. § 42-365 (Reissue 2008), the income and earning capacity of each party as well as the general
equities of each situation. Marcovitz, supra. The criteria in § 42-365 include
the circumstances of the parties, duration of the marriage, a history of the contributions to
the marriage by each party, including contributions to the care and education of the
children, and interruption of personal careers or educational opportunities, and the ability
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of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without interfering with the
interests of any minor children in the custody of such party.
Alimony should not be used to equalize the incomes of the parties or to punish one of the
parties; however, disparity in income or potential income may partially justify an award of
alimony. Marcovitz, supra. The primary purpose of alimony is to assist an ex-spouse for a period
of time necessary for that individual to secure his or her own means of support. Gress v. Gress,
274 Neb. 686, 743 N.W.2d 67 (2007). In reviewing a trial court’s award of alimony, an appellate
court does not determine whether it would have awarded the same amount of alimony as did the
trial court, but whether the trial court’s award is untenable such as to deprive a party of a substantial
right or just result. Hosack v. Hosack, 267 Neb. 934, 678 N.W.2d 746 (2004).
Many of the usual factors supporting an award of alimony are not present in the case at
hand. We acknowledge Stephen’s argument that the primary purpose of alimony, to assist an
ex-spouse in re-entering the workforce or reestablishing employment, is not present in the instant
case where Anne maintained employment in her chosen field during the entire marriage. We also
recognize that despite Anne’s emphasis on the parties’ income disparity, alimony is not to be used
solely to equalize the incomes of the parties. However, income equalization may partially justify
an award of alimony. Anne also argues that she is entitled to alimony in order to assist her in
maintaining the same lifestyle she enjoyed during the marriage. The specific statutory
considerations for alimony set forth in § 42-365 do not mention the ability of the supported party
to maintain a lifestyle similar to that enjoyed during the marriage, but it is a factor that may be
considered. See Kelly v. Kelly, 246 Neb. 55, 516 N.W.2d 612 (1994).
Despite the circumstances of this case, we find that the record supports the district court’s
decision. Stephen earns a significantly higher income than Anne, and she will now have her own
expenses associated with maintaining her own residence. She has been in the clothing business for
17 years and has no plans to seek alternative employment. Alimony of $2,000 per month is not
likely to place a great burden on Stephen, given his income.
The record is clear that Stephen has worked hard to reach the financial success he has
achieved and lives his life more frugally than Anne. We understand his frustration with Anne’s
financial philosophy, including the extent of her claimed monthly expenses and desire to maintain
a country club membership despite her limited income and earning capacity. However, we are
mindful of the fact that our role is not to determine whether we would have awarded the same
amount of alimony as did the trial court, but whether the trial court’s award constitutes an abuse
of discretion. After reviewing the record de novo, we cannot say that the award deprives Stephen
of a substantial right or just result. Accordingly, we conclude that the district court did not abuse
its discretion in awarding Anne alimony in the amount of $2,000 for a total of 72 months.
Attorney Fees.
Stephen argues that the trial court abused its discretion in ordering that he pay a portion of
Anne’s attorney fees. We disagree.
In an action for dissolution of marriage, the award of attorney fees is discretionary with the
trial court, is reviewed de novo on the record, and will be affirmed in the absence of an abuse of
discretion. Sitz v. Sitz, 275 Neb. 832, 749 N.W.2d 470 (2008). The award of attorney fees depends
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on multiple factors that include the nature of the case, the services performed and results obtained,
the earning capacity of the parties, the length of time required for preparation and presentation of
the case, customary charges of the bar, and general equities of the case. Id.
In the present case, there were multiple issues remaining for the court’s determination,
including child support, property division, and alimony. Anne was successful in securing the
amount of child support she requested, nearly half of the marital estate, and a substantial amount
of alimony. As noted above, Anne’s income and earning capacity are significantly lower than
Stephen’s, and they each incurred approximately the same amount of attorney fees during the
pendency of the case. We therefore conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ordering
Stephen to pay $7,500 towards Anne’s attorney fees.
CONCLUSION
We find no merit to any of the issues raised on appeal. We therefore affirm the district
court’s decision regarding division of extracurricular activities’ expenses, property division,
alimony, and attorney fees.
AFFIRMED.
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