Nancy E. Landers v. Patrick J. Landers

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-3931-14T3

NANCY E. LANDERS,
APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION
Plaintiff-Appellant,
February 22, 2016

v. APPELLATE DIVISION

PATRICK J. LANDERS,

Defendant-Respondent.
_______________________________

Argued January 11, 2016 - Decided February 22, 2016

Before Judges Lihotz, Fasciale and Higbee.

On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
Chancery Division, Family Part, Gloucester
County, Docket No. FM-08-5949-91.

Allison H. Lamson argued the cause for
appellant (Adinolfi and Lieberman, P.A.,
attorneys; Ms. Lamson, on the brief).

Charles A. Fiore argued the cause for
respondent (Law Offices of Charles A. Fiore,
attorneys; Mr. Fiore, on the brief).

The opinion of the court was delivered by

LIHOTZ, P.J.A.D.

In this matter, we clarify the application of the newly

enacted alimony statute amendments, addressing modification of

alimony when an obligor retires. N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j).

Plaintiff Nancy E. Landers appeals from a March 27, 2015 Family
Part order terminating the alimony obligation of defendant

Patrick J. Landers as a result of his retirement. Plaintiff

argues the motion judge incorrectly applied N.J.S.A. 2A:34-

23(j)(1), which is limited to awards entered after the effective

date of the amended statute, rather than subsection (j)(3),

which governs review of final alimony awards established prior

to the effective date of the statutory amendments. We agree and

conclude the order must be vacated and the matter remanded for

further review.

The facts are not disputed. A final judgment of divorce

(FJOD) was filed on June 24, 1991, ending the parties' twenty-

two year marriage. In addition to dissolving the marriage, the

FJOD addressed the collateral issues arising upon divorce that

were resolved by consent of the parties.

Among the provisions in the FJOD, defendant was ordered to

pay a declining amount of unallocated support for plaintiff and

the unemancipated children.1 As of December 1, 2001, defendant's

obligation was $1000 per month.2 Defendant paid as ordered and

accumulated no arrearages. Post-judgment litigation was minimal

1
The FJOD does not include information regarding the
parties' income or lifestyle. Nor does it explain the
methodology underpinning the support calculations.
2
The FJOD provided: "Alimony shall automatically terminate
upon the death of either party, or the remarriage of plaintiff."
No reference is made to defendant's retirement.

2 A-3931-14T3
and there is no evidence either party filed to enforce

litigant's rights.

Following defendant's sixty-sixth birthday, he moved to

terminate his alimony obligation, which lasted for twenty-four

years. Defendant explained his income consisted of social

security retirement (SSR) benefits and the pension he received

as part of the equitable distribution of marital assets at the

time of divorce.3 Defendant asserted plaintiff remained employed

and was collecting social security retirement, qualifying as his

former spouse.

Defendant outlined his medical conditions, which directly

impacted his decision to retire, including surgery, described as

one of a series of procedures to preserve his ability to walk

after suffering a foot and leg injury. Additionally, he is a

cancer survivor and takes medication for chronic conditions.

Defendant attached documentation supporting his income prior to

retirement, his retirement receipts, and monthly expenses

3
Plaintiff's certification acknowledges defendant's pension
solely was earned during a prior period of employment, which
terminated before entry of the FJOD. We conclude no portion of
this asset may be considered when reviewing alimony. N.J.S.A.
2A:34-23(b) ("When a share of a retirement benefit is treated as
an asset for purposes of equitable distribution, the court shall
not consider income generated thereafter by that share for
purposes of determining alimony.").

3 A-3931-14T3
incurred for himself and his current spouse that were set forth

in a Family Part case information statement (CIS).

Plaintiff responded and filed a cross-motion, seeking

continuation of alimony and maintenance of a life insurance

policy, insuring defendant's life for her benefit. She detailed

her chronic medical conditions, attached documentation, and

identified her ongoing surgery needs to address these

conditions. Plaintiff's monthly income consisted of her

derivative share of SSR as defendant's former spouse and a

social security disability (SSD) award, effective May 1, 2009.4

She attached 1099s from 2014, recording earnings of

approximately $2500 as a consultant, a partially completed CIS,

a 2009 residential lease agreement with her son, and proof of a

car payment. Plaintiff acknowledged she realized $113,000 from

the sale of the former marital home, awarded to her under the

terms of the FJOD, but explained her subsequent realty purchase

using the funds resulted in a loss.

Plaintiff urged the need for alimony remained and argued

the award was not modifiable, citing the legislative statement

accompanying recent statutory amendments and suggesting the

4
The SSD award was issued on August 22, 2012. Plaintiff
also should have received a lump sum payment for the period
representing the date of disability, May 1, 2009, to the date of
the award, August 22, 2012. This document was not included in
the record.

4 A-3931-14T3
provisions do not affect the terms of a FJOD entered prior to

September 10, 2014, the effective date of the amendments.

The Family Part judge issued a tentative disposition after

reviewing the written submissions. See R. 5:5-4(e) (describing

tentative disposition procedure). He considered oral arguments

advanced by the parties and issued an order accompanied by a

written memorandum. The judge rejected plaintiff's argument

suggesting modification was precluded and analyzed defendant's

request by applying the rebuttable statutory presumption and

factors outlined in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1). Concluding

plaintiff failed to overcome the presumption that alimony

terminates when an obligor attains full retirement age, the

judge noted plaintiff did not supply her income tax returns,

listed no assets on her CIS, and did not address her ability to

save for retirement during the twenty-four years following the

divorce.

The order memorializing the decision granted defendant's

motion and denied plaintiff's cross-motion. Plaintiff moved to

stay the order, which was also denied, as was her request for

emergent relief filed with this court.

In our review of a Family Part judge's motion order, we

defer to factual findings "supported by adequate, substantial,

credible evidence" in the record. Gnall v. Gnall, 222 N.J. 414,

5 A-3931-14T3
428 (2015). Reversal is warranted when we conclude a mistake

must have been made because the trial court's factual findings

are "manifestly unsupported by or inconsistent with the

competent, relevant and reasonably credible evidence as to

offend the interests of justice. . . ." Rova Farms Resort, Inc.

v. Investors Ins. Co. of Am., 65 N.J. 474, 484 (1974) (quoting

Fagliarone v. Twp. of N. Bergen, 78 N.J. Super. 154, 155 (App.

Div.), certif. denied, 40 N.J. 221 (1963)). However, when

reviewing legal conclusions, our obligation is different; "[t]o

the extent that the trial court's decision constitutes a legal

determination, we review it de novo." D'Agostino v. Maldonado,

216 N.J. 168, 182 (2013).

On appeal, plaintiff argues the judge improperly followed

the statutory provisions of N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1), which

incorrectly placed the burden of proof on her, rather than

defendant, and also omitted the necessary analysis of important

applicable factors. This statutory interpretation question is

a legal issue subject to our plenary review. Reese v. Weis, 430

N.J. Super. 552, 568 (App. Div. 2013).

The award of "[a]limony in New Jersey is primarily governed

by statute." Gayet v. Gayet, 92 N.J. 149, 150 (1983); see also

N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(b). Similarly, the authority of the Family

6 A-3931-14T3
Part to modify an existing alimony order is expressed in the

preamble to N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23, which provides in pertinent part:

[A]fter judgment of divorce . . . the court
may make such order as to the alimony or
maintenance of the parties, . . . as the
circumstances of the parties and the nature
of the case shall render fit, reasonable and
just . . . . Orders so made may be revised
and altered by the court from time to time
as circumstances may require.

Prior to recent amendments, which became effective on

September 10, 2014, "[o]ur courts have interpreted this statute

to require a party who seeks modification to prove 'changed

circumstances[.]'" Spangenberg v. Kolakowski, 442 N.J. Super.

529, 536 (App. Div. 2015) (alteration in original) (quoting

Lepis v. Lepis, 83 N.J. 139, 157 (1980)). More specifically,

the party moving for modification "must demonstrate that changed

circumstances have substantially impaired the ability to support

himself or herself." Lepis, supra, 83 N.J. at 157.

An income reduction resulting from a "good faith

retirement" after age sixty-five is a well-recognized change of

circumstances event, prompting a detailed review of the

financial situation facing the parties to evaluate the impact

retirement has on a preexisting alimony award. Silvan v.

Sylvan, 267 N.J. Super. 578, 581 (App. Div. 1993) (identifying

factors to be considered in analyzing whether retirement

7 A-3931-14T3
justifies alimony modification); see also Deegan v. Deegan, 254

N.J. Super. 350, 357-58 (App. Div. 1992).

The 2014 amendments added a new subsection (j), which lists

objective considerations a judge must examine and weigh when

reviewing an obligor's request to modify or terminate alimony

when an obligor retires. L. 2014, c. 42, § 1. The newly

enacted provisions state, in pertinent part:

Alimony may be modified or terminated upon
the prospective or actual retirement of the
obligor.

(1) There shall be a rebuttable presumption
that alimony shall terminate upon the
obligor spouse or partner attaining full
retirement age, except that any arrearages
that have accrued prior to the termination
date shall not be vacated or annulled. The
court may set a different alimony
termination date for good cause shown based
on specific written findings of fact and
conclusions of law.

The rebuttable presumption may be overcome
if, upon consideration of the following
factors and for good cause shown, the court
determines that alimony should continue:

(a) The ages of the parties at
the time of the application for
retirement;

(b) The ages of the parties at
the time of the marriage or civil
union and their ages at the time
of entry of the alimony award;

(c) The degree and duration of
the economic dependency of the

8 A-3931-14T3
 recipient upon the payor during
the marriage or civil union;

(d) Whether the recipient has
foregone or relinquished or
otherwise sacrificed claims,
rights or property in exchange for
a more substantial or longer
alimony award;

(e) The duration or amount of
alimony already paid;

(f) The health of the parties at
the time of the retirement
application;

(g) Assets of the parties at the
time of the retirement
application;

(h) Whether the recipient has
reached full retirement age as
defined in this section;

(i) Sources of income, both
earned and unearned, of the
parties;

(j) The ability of the recipient
to have saved adequately for
retirement; and

(k) Any other factors that the
court may deem relevant.

. . . .

(3) When a retirement application is filed
in cases in which there is an existing final
alimony order or enforceable written
agreement established prior to the effective
date of this act, the obligor's reaching
full retirement age as defined in this
section shall be deemed a good faith
retirement age. Upon application by the

9 A-3931-14T3
obligor to modify or terminate alimony, both
the obligor's application to the court for
modification or termination of alimony and
the obligee's response to the application
shall be accompanied by current Case
Information Statements or other relevant
documents as required by the Rules of Court,
as well as the Case Information Statements
or other documents from the date of entry of
the original alimony award and from the date
of any subsequent modification. In making
its determination, the court shall consider
the ability of the obligee to have saved
adequately for retirement as well as the
following factors in order to determine
whether the obligor, by a preponderance of
the evidence, has demonstrated that
modification or termination of alimony is
appropriate:

(a) The age and health of the
parties at the time of the
application;

(b) The obligor's field of
employment and the generally
accepted age of retirement for
those in that field;

(c) The age when the obligor
becomes eligible for retirement at
the obligor's place of employment,
including mandatory retirement
dates or the dates upon which
continued employment would no
longer increase retirement
benefits;

(d) The obligor's motives in
retiring, including any pressures
to retire applied by the obligor's
employer or incentive plans
offered by the obligor's employer;

(e) The reasonable expectations
of the parties regarding

10 A-3931-14T3
 retirement during the marriage or
civil union and at the time of the
divorce or dissolution;

(f) The ability of the obligor to
maintain support payments
following retirement, including
whether the obligor will continue
to be employed part-time or work
reduced hours;

(g) The obligee's level of
financial independence and the
financial impact of the obligor's
retirement upon the obligee; and

(h) Any other relevant factors
affecting the parties' respective
financial positions.

[N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1), (3).]

Subsection (j)(2), which we omitted from our discussion,

addresses the circumstances when an obligor "seeks to retire

prior to attaining the full retirement age as defined in" the

statute. N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(2). "Full retirement age" means

"the age at which a person is eligible to receive full

retirement for full retirement benefits under section [4]16 of

the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.[A.] § 416)."5

N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23. A person is eligible to receive full

retirement benefits when he or she is sixty-six years old,

5
There appears to be a typographical error in the statute,
mistakenly referencing section "216," which we have corrected in
our opinion. We are confident this is a mistake because 42
U.S.C.A. § 216 addresses prescriptions by the President and
promulgations by the Surgeon General.

11 A-3931-14T3
"after December 31, 2004, and before January 1, 2017 . . . ."

42 U.S.C.A. § 416(l)(1)(C).

We recently reviewed the legislative history accompanying

the 2014 amendments to the alimony statute, which states:

This act shall take effect immediately and
shall not be construed either to modify the
duration of alimony ordered or agreed upon
or other specifically bargained for
contractual provisions that have been
incorporated into:

a. a final judgment of divorce or
dissolution;

b. a final order that has concluded post-
judgment litigation; or

c. any enforceable written agreement
between the parties.

[L. 2014, c. 42, § 2.]

"This additional statement signals the legislative recognition

of the need to uphold prior agreements executed or final orders

filed before adoption of the statutory amendments."

Spangenberg, supra, 442 N.J. Super. at 538.

Unlike other amended provisions of N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23,

subsection (j) distinguishes alimony orders executed prior to

the amendment's effective date and those executed afterwards.

See N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1), (3). Therefore, this unambiguous

legislative directive governs a court's examination of alimony

12 A-3931-14T3
modification requests arising when an obligor retires, depending

on the original date alimony is awarded.

Subsection (j)(3) applies "[w]hen a retirement application

is filed in cases in which there is an existing final alimony

order or enforceable written agreement established prior to the

effective date of this act . . . . " N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(3)

(emphasis added). This purposeful design demonstrates an intent

to address such circumstances somewhat differently than orders

entered following the enactment of the statutory amendments.

Notably, the rebuttable presumption included in subsection

(j)(1), which places the burden on the obligee to demonstrate

continuation of the alimony award once an obligor attains full

retirement age, N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1), is not repeated, but

replaced by a different standard in subsection (j)(3). The

latter provision follows the prior principles outlined in Lepis

and its progeny, by mandating "the court shall consider the

ability of the obligee to have saved adequately for retirement

as well as the following factors in order to determine whether

the obligor, by a preponderance of the evidence, has

demonstrated that modification or termination of alimony is

appropriate . . . ." N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(3) (emphasis added).

Importantly, subsection (j)(3) elevates the ability of the

obligee to have saved adequately for retirement, listed only as

13 A-3931-14T3
a factor under N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(1)(j), setting it apart from

other considerations and requiring its explicit analysis.

N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(3). Also, factors identified in the two

subsections are not identical, making the court's focus

different. For example, most apt to plaintiff's arguments are

subsections (j)(3)(f) and (g), mandating an examination of the

obligor's ability to maintain payments upon retirement, and

"[t]he obligee's level of financial independence."6

We understand that subsection (j)(1), if read in isolation,

appears to apply to any motion to modify or terminate alimony

upon an obligor's retirement. However, when construing these

two subsections "together as a unitary and harmonious whole,"

Am. Fire & Cas. Co. v. N.J. Div. of Taxation, 189 N.J. 65, 80

(2006) (quoting St. Peter's Univ. Hosp. v. Lacy, 185 N.J. 1, 15

(2005)), the particular language used in subsection (j)(3)

clarifies the Legislature's intent to apply (j)(1) only to

orders entered after the amendments' effective date.

We cannot ignore defendant's retirement application in this

matter sought to modify an "alimony order . . . established

prior to the effective date of th[e] act," triggering review

pursuant to the factors listed in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(3).

6
Several factors listed in subsection (j)(3) are found in
Silvan, supra, 267 N.J. Super. at 581, and Deegan, supra, 254
N.J. Super. at 357.

14 A-3931-14T3
Consequently, the judge's mistaken reliance on subsection (j)(1)

cannot be upheld. Courts must abide the Legislature's clear

direction. See In re Kollman, 210 N.J. 557, 568 (2012) ("If the

plain language is clear, the court's task is complete."); N.

Jersey Media Grp., Inc. v. Twp. of Lyndhurst, 441 N.J. Super.

70, 112 (App. Div.), leave to appeal granted, No. M-00444 (Dec.

8, 2015) (stating every word in a statute must be read as if

deliberate).

Accordingly, we vacate the March 27, 2015 order and remand

to the Family Part judge to conduct proceedings as he deems

necessary and to apply the burden of proof and specific

standards defined in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-23(j)(3).7

Reversed and remanded.

7
Plaintiff's argument that a remand requires reassignment is
rejected. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

15 A-3931-14T3