IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
FILED
DAVID AARON GOODMAN, ) August 9, 1999
)
Plaintiff/Counter-Deft./ ) Shelby Circuit No. 149212 R.D.
Cecil Crowson, Jr.
Appellant, )
Appellate Court Clerk
)
VS. ) Appeal No. 02A01-9809-CV-00255
)
HALLE LYNN HIRSH GOODMAN, )
)
Defendant/Counter-Pltf./ )
Appellee. )
APPEAL FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF SHELBY COUNTY
AT MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
THE HONORABLE KAY S. ROBILIO, JUDGE
STEVAN L. BLACK
VICKIE HARDY JONES
Memphis, Tennessee
Attorneys for Appellant
AMY J. AMUNDSEN
Memphis, Tennessee
Attorney for Appellee
AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED
ALAN E. HIGHERS, J.
CONCUR:
W. FRANK CRAWFORD, P.J., W.S.
DAVID R. FARMER, J.
David Aaron Goodman (“Husband” or “Appellant”) appeals the judgment of the trial
court which awarded a divorce to Halle Lynn Goodman (“Wife” or “Appellee”), found Wife
to be incapable of being rehabilitated and ordered Husband to pay the sum of $2,200.00
per month to Wife as alimony in futuro, and the sum of $16,961.25 as alimony in solido for
Wife’s attorney fees, and further ordered Husband to pay credit card debt in the amount
of $22,000.00 incurred by Wife after separation.
I. Factual and Procedural History
The parties were married on August 15, 1982, and separated in July 1995. The
parties have two minor children. Husband filed for divorce June 5, 1995 and Wife filed an
answer and counter-complaint for divorce. Although Husband stipulated that Wife be
awarded the divorce on the ground of inappropriate marital conduct, there was proof in the
record that the parties’ marital difficulties were far-reaching.
Dr. Gloria Siegel, Wife’s clinical psychologist, began treating Wife in March 1994.
Dr. Siegel diagnosed Wife as having major depression and a borderline personality
disorder which began in Wife’s early adolescence. Wife was hospitalized at Charter
Lakeside Hospital on two different occasions in 1995 because of her severe depression
and suicidal planning. Dr. Siegel testified that Wife is not capable of employment, or
rehabilitating herself or being a full time student.
The trial court found Wife to be economically disadvantaged and found that
rehabilitation was not feasible. The trial court ordered Husband to pay $16,961.25 as
alimony in solido for Wife’s attorney fees, ordered Husband to pay the credit card debt of
$22,000.00 incurred by Wife after the parties’ separation, and awarded alimony in futuro
to Wife, but reserved the determination of the amount of alimony to a later date.
The final decree also set forth and approved the stipulations and agreements
reached by the parties, including the following: that Wife would be awarded the divorce on
the ground of inappropriate marital conduct; that Wife would receive sole custody of the
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parties’ two minor children and that Husband would enjoy specific time with the children;
that Husband would pay child support in the amount of $1,800.00 per month in accordance
with the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines; that Husband would maintain life insurance
policy and a disability insurance policy to secure his obligations to the children; that
Husband would maintain a major medical and hospitalization insurance for the children;
that Husband would pay all of the uninsured medical expenses for the children; that
Husband and Wife would attend parenting classes; that Husband would pay for the
children’s summer camps, religious affiliated activities, Hebrew lessons, extracurricular
activities, and future life cycle events including expenses of B’nai/Bat Mitzvahs; that
Husband would pay for memberships for Wife and the children at the Memphis Jewish
Community Center, Temple Israel, Memphis Pink Palace and Planetarium, and the
Memphis Zoo; that the marital property would be divided by awarding the leased Taurus
to Husband, the 1988 Dodge Caravan to Wife, and each party receiving one-half of
Husband’s retirement from his employment at Pediatrics Associates.
Husband is a doctor who completed his residency in pediatrics in 1996. Husband
practices medicine in a pediatric clinic in West Memphis, Arkansas, and is paid a gross
salary of $90,000.00 per year. Husband also receives income of approximately $5,000.00
per year from his interest in a limited partnership. At the hearing to set alimony, the trial
court found Husband’s total monthly income to be $8,100.00. There was also much
testimony and comment concerning monies that Husband has borrowed from his parents
since approximately 1989. There was testimony that Husband was able to borrow from a
trust in which his mother is the beneficiary. Husband testified he borrowed approximately
$68,000.00 from his mother to meet court-ordered financial obligations and his own living
expenses during the divorce proceedings.
After holding hearings to determine the amount of alimony to be awarded to Wife,
the court ordered Husband to pay $2,200.00 per month as alimony in futuro. Husband filed
a motion to alter or amend, or in the alternative, for relief from the judgment. On August 14,
1998, the trial court entered an order on that motion, denying Husband’s requests for
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reduction in alimony, denying Husband’s request to be relieved of the credit card debt, and
amending the final decree to make a finding that an improvement in Wife’s medical
condition and reduction in Wife’s medical expenses shall constitute a material change of
circumstances sufficient to justify some relief in Husband’s alimony obligations. This appeal
by Husband followed.
II. Alimony
Husband’s main contention on appeal is that after paying child support in the
amount of $1,800.00, alimony in the amount of $2,200.00, children’s monthly extra-
curricular activities expense in the amount of $200.00, and $652.00 in monthly uninsured
medical expenses for the children, he is left with only $562.00 per month to pay his own
living expenses. Husband argues there was no proof that he had “moonlighted” in the past;
the court did not find Husband to be voluntarily underemployed; Husband’s parents may
cease giving him money at any time; Husband was obligated to repay all monies borrowed
from his mother’s trust with interest; and Husband would only inherit money from his
mother if she bequeaths the money to him and if mother predeceases him. Husband
further argues that Wife should have been awarded rehabilitative alimony rather than
alimony in futuro. Husband also contends he lacks the property or assets with which to pay
the $16,96125 award of alimony in solido. He asserts the trial court could have made such
a ruling based only on Husband’s anticipated future earnings.
Wife contends that Husband’s expenses are inflated; his parents provide him with
extra money upon which to live; Husband will inherit over $2,000,000.00 from his parents
over the course of his lifetime; and Husband can “moonlight” to earn extra money. Wife
also points out that during their marriage the parties had lived in a home purchased for
them by Husband’s mother. In 1998, Husband’s mother asked Wife and children to move
out of the home. The court determined that the trust monies of the children ($120,000.00
per child) could be used to purchase the home from Husband’s mother for the benefit of
the children, but Husband, as trustee of the trusts, refused.
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Trial courts have broad discretion concerning the amount and duration of spousal
support. Jones v. Jones, 784 S.W.2d 349, 352 (Tenn.App. 1989). These determinations
are factually driven and require a balancing of the factors contained in Tenn. Code Ann.
§36-5-101(d). As a general matter, we are disinclined to alter a trial court’s spousal support
decision unless the court manifestly abused its discretion. Ingram v. Ingram, 721 S.W.2d
262, 264 (Tenn.App. 1986). With regard to alimony, courts are required to apply the factors
set out in Tenn. Code Ann. §36-5-101 to determine whether alimony is necessary or
appropriate.
A. Alimony in futuro v. Rehabilitative Alimony
Husband argues that the trial court erred in finding that Wife was incapable of
rehabilitation and in awarding Wife alimony in futuro. We disagree. The evidence proffered
at trial showed Wife had never worked full time at a job outside the marriage. The extent
of Wife’s work/volunteer experience consisted of planning birthday parties for children
briefly after the parties’ first child was born; volunteer reading to children or playing games
with children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; part-time assistant teacher’s aide
at Grahamwood Elementary school for a few hours a day while the parties’ children were
in nursery school there; helping a lawyer move into her new office for a couple of months;
and babysitting an infant for seven months. The trial court found that Husband offered no
proof of any sustained employment by Wife during their marriage.
Wife’s psychologist, Dr. Gloria Siegel, testified that Wife had extensive
psychological and psychiatric treatment before, during and after the marriage for severe
depression and borderline personality disorder. When Dr. Siegel first saw Wife in 1994,
Wife was severely depressed almost in a vegetative state, tearful and her mood was
intensely dysphoric. Wife’s condition worsened and she was hospitalized at Charter
Lakeside Hospital on two different occasions, April of 1995 and May of 1995, each for
several weeks because of her severe depression and suicidal planning.
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Dr. Siegel testified that she instructed Wife to discontinue to babysit the infant
because it caused too much stress on Wife. Dr. Siegel testified that she would ordinarily
encourage a person to go to school, however, Wife has the personality makeup of a
person who would blame herself for anything that would go wrong. Dr. Siegel gave her
professional opinion that Wife is not capable of employment, of rehabilitating herself or of
being a full time student. Husband offered no expert testimony to rebut Dr. Siegel’s expert
opinions.
We do not believe the trial court abused its discretion in ordering Husband to pay
Wife alimony in futuro rather than rehabilitative alimony. Our Supreme Court has noted that
while the legislature has expressed a preference for rehabilitative alimony, a court may
grant alimony in futuro where rehabilitation is not feasible. Aaron v. Aaron, 909 S.W.2d
408, 410 (Tenn.1995); Self v. Self, 861 S.W.2d 360, 361 (Tenn.1993); Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 36-5-101(d)(1)(1996). The evidence presented at trial supports the trial court’s finding
that Wife is incapable of being rehabilitated.
Furthermore, on motion of Husband to amend the final decree, the trial court
amended the final decree to make a finding that an improvement in Wife’s medical
condition and a reduction in her medical expenses shall constitute a material and
substantial change of circumstances sufficient to justify some relief in Husband’s alimony
obligation. The trial court ordered that Husband be entitled to receive from Wife’s therapist,
a report of the status of Wife’s therapy, including Wife’s current mental status, a format or
plan for future therapy, and a listing of goals and the objectives set to meet those goals.
With this additional safeguard in place, we hold that the trial court did not err in awarding
Wife alimony in futuro rather than rehabilitative alimony.
B. Award of Alimony in futuro
The trial court ordered Husband to pay the sum of $2,200.00 per month to Wife as
alimony in futuro. Husband argues that the trial court did not consider his ability to pay in
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ordering said amount of alimony. The evidence showed Husband’s income to be
$90,000.00 per year from his employment and approximately $5,000.00 per year from a
limited partnership interest. Husband points out that his monthly gross income is $7,500.00
which, after standard deductions, amounts to $5,414.39 net income per month. Husband’s
contends that his monthly support obligation to Wife and children totals $4,852.00
($1,800.00 child support, $2,200.00 alimony, $200.00 average children’s monthly extra-
curricular activities, $652.00 average children’s monthly uninsured medical expenses). This
leaves Husband only $562.00 to live on each month.
At trial, Wife did not contend that Husband earned more than ninety thousand
dollars per year from his employment and did not contend that Husband had other sources
of income other than $5,000.00 per year from the limited partnership given to Husband by
his grandparents. The trial court did not find that Husband made more money than he
claimed or was willfully and voluntarily underemployed. Thus, the uncontroverted evidence
was that Husband’s total income was $95,000.00 per year.
There was much discussion during the trial of monies given to the Husband by
Husband’s parents. Wife contends that Husband is the beneficiary of four trusts that will
yield him in the future an amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00). Wife asserts that
Husband can draw from the trusts as often as he needs to, and that Husband has a note
of $200,000.00 from which he has only used $60,000.00.
Husband testified that he has borrowed money from his parents since approximately
1989 in order to pay his expenses, as he and Wife lived beyond their means during their
marriage. Husband further testified that, recognizing the inability of the parties to meet their
financial obligations during this divorce litigation, he borrowed approximately $68,000.00
from his mother to meet the court-ordered financial obligations and his own living
expenses, as the aforementioned expenses exceeded his income.
Husband points out that his mother, Donna Goldman, is the beneficiary of said
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trusts. Husband has no present interest in these trusts and will not acquire an interest
unless his mother bequeaths the funds to him and his mother predeceases him. Husband
asserts that he does have the present ability to borrow money from his parents, but such
money has to be repaid with interest. Additionally, Husband’s parents could decide at any
time to cease making such loans to Husband.
There is evidence in the record that the trial court considered the loans made by
Husband’s parents to the parties. During a hearing held before the trial court, the court
stated as follows:
Well, its true, the evidence is replete that Dr. Goodman has
never had to live off his income ever, never, ever, and I’m sure
in the future he won’t necessarily have to in - - you know, live
off his income because his parents are in a position to advance
funds to him at their discretion, but that has nothing - - that
can’t enter into my ruling.
However, the trial judge remarked repeatedly throughout the course of the trial that
Husband had monies from his parents available to him. To the extent, if any, that the trial
court considered the monies available to Husband from Husband’s parents in setting the
amount of alimony, the trial court was in error.
Husband also asserts that the trial court took into account Husband’s ability to earn
extra money by moonlighting in setting the amount of alimony. Husband testified that
although his contract does not prevent him from moonlighting, he was working forty (40)
hours per week and was on call seven days per month. Husband also testified that if he
were to moonlight, he would have less time available to spend with his children. Husband’s
employer filed an affidavit with the trial court wherein she stated that it was undesirable for
Husband to moonlight, as it would compromise patient care because Husband was already
working significant hours.
At trial, Wife testified that it was not Husband’s practice to moonlight and that he did
not do so throughout medical school or “any of those times.” During the first hearing, the
trial court found that it was not the history of Husband to moonlight during the marriage.
However, at the conclusion of the final hearing on the alimony issue, the trial court ordered
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Husband to pay to W ife the sum of $2,200.00 per month as alimony in futuro, finding that
Husband could moonlight if he wanted to increase his income. We find that, as the trial
court did not make a finding that Husband was underemployed, the trial court may not
impute any additional income to Husband.
A court must examine all the factors of Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-5-101(d)(1) in
determining the proper alimony award. While the real need of the spouse seeking the
support is the single most important factor, courts should also consider the ability of the
obligor spouse to provide support. Smith v. Smith, 912 S.W.2d 155, 159 (Tenn.App. 1995).
See also Cranford v. Cranford, 772 S.W.2d 48, 50 (Tenn.App. 1989); Lancaster v.
Lancaster, 671 S.W.2d 501, 503 (Tenn.App. 1984); Fisher v. Fisher, 648 S.W.2d 244, 246-
47 (Tenn. 1983).
In the case at hand, the trial court considered the need of Wife, but showed less
concern for Husband’s ability to pay. On the first day of trial, the following exchange took
place:
Mr. Halliburton: . . . that’s what we’ve been trying to say all
along, that there’s a certain amount of
money, that both two people and two
children are going to have to live on this
money.
The Court: They’ll have to have their moneys (sic)
available to them first, of course, and then
however Dr. Goodman will manage to live
on what is remaining, will, of course, be up
to Dr. Goodman.
Mr. Halliburton: . . . we’ve got to leave enough for him to
live on. He can’t operate to produce the 55
is what it amounts to. I mean . . .
The Court: Well, unequivocally they have to - - their
needs must be first met.
Wife is completely dependent on the monthly alimony and child support payments
from Husband to meet her monthly expenses. Wife testified at the divorce hearing that her
monthly expenses would be $5,110.00, inclusive of housing and rental insurance. Wife has
been awarded the sum of $4,000.00 as alimony and child support from Husband, reflecting
9
a shortfall of $1,110.00. However, while Wife may have a legitimate need for this payment
of alimony, there has been no showing that Husband has the ability to pay such a large
sum without borrowing funds or working additional hours.
Wife contends that her economic position following the divorce should not be worse
than her economic position while she was married. This Court addressed a similar
situation in the case of Shadoin v. Shadoin, 1986 WL 8975, (Tenn.App. 1986), stating as
follows:
While this Court has recognized the principle that a divorce
should not inflict undue economic hardship upon an innocent
spouse, we have never held that this principle should override
the other factors traditionally considered by the courts. Thus,
we hold that the application of this principle must be tempered
by the other factors contained in Tenn. Code Ann. §
36-5-101(d). It would be inappropriate for a trial court to
attempt to maintain the pre-divorce financial condition of the
innocent spouse by requiring periodic payments of support and
maintenance that are beyond the obligor spouse's ability to
pay.
1986 WL 8975, *3
The combined amount of alimony, child support payments, children’s extra-curricular
activities, and children’s uninsured medical expenses, when taken together with Husband’s
monthly living expenses, exceed his annual, before-tax income. This burden is too great.
Husband receives the sum of $5,414.39 net income per month. Husband’s contends that
his monthly support obligation to Wife and children totals $4,852.00 ($1,800.00 child
support, $2,200.00 alimony, $200.00 average children’s monthly extra-curricular activities,
$652.00 average children’s monthly uninsured medical expenses).
Our examination of the record shows that Husband calculated his “average
children’s monthly uninsured medical expenses” by totaling the uninsured medical
expenses of the children over a nine month period and dividing the total by nine. However,
we notice that at least $4,000.00 of the uninsured medical expenses for the nine month
period were for braces (orthodontic) for one of Husband’s children. While we appreciate
the fact that Husband did pay that expense during this period of time, such expense is
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generally a one-time event and should not be used to project Husband’s average monthly
expense for uninsured medical costs. Without the expense of braces, the children’s
average uninsured medical expense amounts to $235.00 per month rather than $652.00
per month. Additionally, based upon the figures in the record, we calculate the expense of
“average children’s monthly extra-curricular activities” to be $183.00 rather than $200.00.
Excluding alimony, Husband pays the average monthly sum of $2235.00 to Wife.
This leaves Husband with approximately $3,179.00 in disposable income per month. With
the trial court’s award of $2,200.00 alimony, Husband pays approximately $4,435.00 per
month for the support of his Wife and children and is left with only $979.00 per month on
which to live. We therefore modify the trial court's award of alimony in futuro by reducing
Husband’s monthly obligation from $2,200 to $1,000.00. At this reduced amount, Husband
pays approximately $3,235.00 per month in support and retains the sum of $2,179.00 per
month, or somewhat less than 50% of his disposable income.
We recognize that this amount is less than Wife’s claimed monthly expenses and
that, as a result of this decree, Wife may be required to adjust her standard of living.
However, both Husband and Wife testified that the parties were living beyond their means
prior to their separation. With no finding that Husband is underemployed, we cannot
require Husband to work extra hours nor can we require Husband to borrow monies from
his parents in order to allow Wife to continue to live at the standard at which she grew
accustomed during the marriage.
We find that although Wife may have a legitimate need for alimony in the amount
of $2,200.00, Husband is currently unable to pay such sum. The trial court exceeded its
discretion in setting alimony in the amount of $2,200.00 without a finding that Husband was
underemployed. Accordingly, the trial court’s award of alimony in futuro shall be modified
from $2,200.00 to $1,000.00 per month.
C. Award of Alimony in Solido
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Husband contends that the trial court erred in awarding Wife alimony in solido in the
amount of $16,961.25 for Wife’s attorney fees. Husband asserts that he lacks the property
or assets with which to pay such an award. Husband contends that the trial court could
have only awarded alimony in solido based upon Husband’s expected future earnings.
We do not find evidence in the record to show that Husband had any substantial
bank accounts, real property, or current assets or any estate from which to pay alimony in
solido. Alimony in solido should be awarded generally only out of a spouse's estate.
Houghland v. Houghland, 844 S.W.2d 619, 622 (Tenn.App.1992). Alimony in solido should
not be awarded out of an expectation of future earnings. Aleshire v. Aleshire, 642 S.W.2d
729, 733 (Tenn.App. 1981).
Wife contends that since Husband has already paid the attorney’s fees, the trial
court did not err in finding Husband had the ability to pay said amount. However, there is
no proof in the record that Husband paid the alimony in solido out of his own estate. There
is proof in the record that Husband’s mother made the sum of $200,000.00 available to
Husband on an as needed basis. Husband testified that he must repay any with interest
any money borrowed from his parents. At the time of trial, Husband had borrowed
approximately $68,000.00 against this note. It is entirely possible that Husband paid the
alimony in solido with borrowed funds. Husband’s payment of the alimony in solido is not
sufficient proof that Husband had the ability to pay such funds.
Wife argues that Husband’s bank account reflected a balance of over $9,000.00
during the months when he stated he had no monies or was left without any money after
he paid the child support and alimony. Husband filed an affidavit in which he testified that
said balance included funds which Husband borrowed and did not reflect certain checks
which had not yet cleared the bank.
Where the trial judge has seen and heard witnesses, especially if issues of
credibility and weight to be given oral testimony are involved, considerable deference must
12
be accorded those circumstances on review. Collins v. Howmet Corp., 970 S.W.2d 941,
943 (Tenn. 1998); Humphrey v. David Witherspoon, 734 S.W.2d 315 (Tenn. 1991). The
trial court heard testimony from both Husband and Wife and had the opportunity to observe
their demeanor throughout the proceedings. It is possible that the trial court discredited
Husband’s testimony as to his $9,000.00 checking account balance.
The checking account is the only evidence in the record of any assets or any estate
out of which Husband could be ordered to pay alimony in solido. Without evidence in the
record that Husband possessed sufficient assets to pay the $16,961.25 alimony in solido,
the trial court could have only awarded alimony in solido based upon Husband’s expected
future earnings. As stated in Aleshire, alimony in solido should not be awarded out of an
expectation of future earnings absent extreme circumstances which do not exist here. The
trial court erred in awarding alimony in solido in excess of $9,000.00. Accordingly, the trial
court’s award of alimony in solido shall be modified from $16,961.25 to $9,000.00.
III. Credit Card Debt
Husband finally contends that the trial court erred in ordering Husband to pay credit
card debt in the amount of approximately $22,000.00. There was no dispute at trial that
Wife incurred the credit card debt following the parties’ separation. Husband testified he
was unaware of the debt until Wife showed him a bill for $18,000.00. Husband testified that
he believed the $18,000.00 bill included the purchase of a new computer and printer
(although the parties owned a functioning computer and printer), a go-cart, and an above-
the-ground pool.
Wife admitted that all of the aforementioned charges were incurred after the parties
separated in July 1995. Wife argues that after Husband filed for divorce, Husband closed
the bank accounts and denied Wife access to any credit cards. After Wife filed a motion
for pendente lite support, Husband began paying child support of $1,450.00 per month and
alimony of $2,000.00. Wife asserts she was able to pay for some of the children’s clothing,
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school supplies, and extracurricular activities from the funds she received from Husband.
However, after the pendente lite hearing Wife noticed that the paternal grandparents
stopped buying the children entire fall and spring wardrobes, stopped paying for summer
camps, ballet, basketball, and other extracurricular activities. Wife asserts she therefore
had to charge these expenses on her credit cards. Wife contends that the majority of the
charges were for clothing for the children.
Trial courts have broad discretion in dividing the marital estate. Fisher v. Fisher, 648
S.W.2d 244, 246 (Tenn. 1983). Harrington v. Harrington, 798 S.W.2d 244, 245 (Tenn.App.
1990). Therefore, we give their decisions great weight, Edwards v. Edwards, 501 S.W.2d
283, 288 (Tenn.App. 1973), and are disinclined to interfere unless the evidence
preponderates otherwise or the decision is based on an error of law. Mondelli v. Howard,
780 S.W.2d 769, 772 (Tenn.App. 1989).
Like marital property, marital debts should be divided equitably, taking into
consideration: (1) which party incurred the debt, (2) the purpose of the debt, (3) which party
benefitted from incurring the debt, and (4) which party is better able to repay the debt.
Mondelli v. Howard, 780 S.W.2d at 773. In the case of debt incurred between the
separation and divorce, one spouse should not be held responsible for the debts the other
spouse incurs unless the debts were for a marital purpose or for the joint benefit of the
parties. Mondelli v. Howard, 780 S.W.2d at 773; Richards. v. Richards, No. 01-A-01-9005-
CV00164, 1991 WL 66443 (Tenn.App. 1991).
Wife contends that the debt was incurred for a marital purpose or for the joint benefit
of the parties in that the debt was incurred for the children’s expenses. Husband argues
that during the fifteen month period in which the debt was incurred, Husband was paying
to Wife $1,625.00 per month as support and was paying all of the bills of Wife and the
children at an additional cost of approximately $3,500.00 to $4,000.00 per month. Husband
contends said sum was more than sufficient to meet the necessities of Wife and the
children. Husband argues that Wife should not be rewarded for her extravagant spending
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and fiscal irresponsibility, even if she incurred the debt to indulge the children with luxuries.
In the final decree of divorce, the trial court order Husband to assume the debts of
the parties, finding that the Wife did not have the present ability to pay the parties’ debts
and Husband was in a better position to assume the debt. However, the $22,000.00 credit
card debt of Wife was incurred post separation and the trial court made no finding that
such debt was incurred for a marital purpose or for joint benefit of the parties.
Exhibit 14 was introduced at trial as a chart or graph prepared by Wife of each of
her credit cards, the amount of credit charged to them on each given month, and a running
total of Wife’s credit card debt. Upon a careful examination of this exhibit, this Court finds
that while some of the expenses were for clothing for the children, over $4,000.00 was
spent on television, entertainment, and a video camera. There are entries for tires,
swimming pool pump, over $3,500.00 in car repair, brakes and miscellaneous, over
$2,000.00 for a computer, and numerous entries for food and miscellaneous. Husband
admitted that a new computer, new pool, and go-carts benefitted the children, but also
pointed out that the old computer was in working condition and did not need to be
replaced. Wife did not refute that such purchases were made on credit.
Wife was receiving $1,625.00 per month in child support during the time the majority
of these bills were incurred. While this Court cannot say if the children’s expenses
exceeded $1,625.00 per month, the monthly sum of $1,625.00 should have been sufficient
to cover a good portion of the children’s needs. We find that while many of the credit card
expenses were incurred on behalf of the children, the expenditures also reflect
miscellaneous expenses of Wife. We would also agree with Husband that some of the
expenditures reflect unnecessary extravagance.
For all of the foregoing reasons, we find that the evidence preponderates against
the decision of the trial court ordering Husband to pay the entire $22,000.00 credit card
debt of Wife. Taking into consideration that a fair portion of the debt was for the benefit of
15
the children, a fairer allocation of the credit card debt would be for the Husband to pay
$15,000.00 of the debt and the Wife to pay the remaining $7,000.00. Therefore, the portion
of the final decree of divorce which ordered Husband to pay the credit card debts incurred
by Wife in the amount of $22,000.00 shall be modified from $22,000.00 to $15,000.00.
We therefore modify the final decree of divorce to provide that Husband shall be
solely responsible for the payment of the sum of $15,000.00 of the credit card debt
incurred by Wife, and Wife shall be responsible for the payment of the balance of the
credit card debt (approximately $7,000.00).
IV. Conclusion
The judgment of the trial court is hereby affirmed as modified. Costs of this appeal
are taxed to Appellant, for which execution may issue if necessary.
HIGHERS, J.
CONCUR:
CRAWFORD, P.J., W.S.
FARMER, J.
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