In re Marriage of Wolfe

August 12, 1998

No. 3--97--0441

__________________________________________________________________

IN THE

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

SECOND DISTRICT
___________________________________________________________________

In re Marriage of ) Appeal from the Circuit Court
JANET C. WOLFE, ) of Du Page County.
)
Petitioner-Appellee, )
)
and ) No. 93--D--1823
)
STEVE L. WOLFE, ) Honorable
) Kenneth A. Abraham,
Respondent-Appellant. ) Judge, Presiding.
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JUSTICE McLAREN delivered the opinion of the court:

The respondent, Steve Wolfe, appeals from the February 24,
1997, and May 12, 1997, orders of the circuit court of Du Page
County distributing the portion of a personal injury settlement that
compensated Steve for lost future wages as marital property and
child support. The trial court ordered that 10% of the lost future
wages portion of the settlement proceeds be awarded as marital
property to the petitioner, Janet Wolfe, and 20% of the lost future
wages portion of the settlement proceeds be used to establish a
trust fund for the support and benefit of Cassandra Wolfe, the
parties only child. On appeal, Steve argues that (1) the trial
court erred in finding that the settlement proceeds could be
considered "income" for purposes of making a child support award;
and (2) the trial court erred in determining and calculating the
specific award of child support. We affirm in part, reverse in
part, vacate in part, and remand the cause for further proceedings.
On July 21, 1993, Janet filed a petition for dissolution of
marriage. The parties only child, Cassandra, was born on October
24, 1990. In her petition, Janet requested custody of Cassandra and
an award of child support.
Approximately one year prior to the commencement of the
dissolution proceedings, Steve was seriously injured in a work-
related accident and, as a result, was no longer able to work.
After his injury, Steve began to receive social security disability
benefits in the amount of $1,710 per month.
On August 18, 1993, the trial court awarded Janet temporary
custody of Cassandra and ordered Steve to pay temporary child
support in the amount of $342 per month. This amount represented
20% of Steve s then monthly income of $1,710. On December 20, 1993,
Janet filed a petition for an increase in the amount of temporary
child support. On February 7, 1994, following a hearing, the trial
court entered an agreed order requiring (1) that Janet maintain
medical insurance for Cassandra through her employer; (2) that Steve
pay 60% of the monthly cost for such insurance; (3) that the parties
would equally pay all of Cassandra s medical expenses not covered
or reimbursed by insurance; and (4) that the parties would pay
equally for all of Cassandra s outstanding medical expenses.
Also on February 7, 1994, the parties entered into an agreed
permanent custody order. Pursuant to this order, Janet was granted
permanent sole custody of Cassandra and Steve was granted supervised
visitation.
On two separate occasions, Janet filed a motion for a rule to
show cause against Steve to force his compliance with the trial
court s orders. On December 20, 1993, Janet filed a motion for a
rule to show cause complaining of Steve s failure to participate in
court ordered "conciliation" sessions with a counselor. On
September 15, 1995, Janet again filed a motion for a rule to show
cause complaining of Steve s failure to reimburse her for his share
of Cassandra s medical insurance and health care expenses.
The cause proceeded to trial on February 1, 1996. On March 16,
1996, the trial court entered a judgment of dissolution. As part
of its dissolution order, the trial court ordered (1) that Steve pay
Janet $1,717.16 as an arrearage on his support obligations; (2) that
Steve pay the sum of $146 per month in child support (20% of his
monthly income at that time); (3) that Steve reimburse Janet for 50%
of all medical expenses and insurance premiums; (4) that Steve pay
Janet 20% of his $58,526 workers compensation settlement; and (5)
that the trial court would retain jurisdiction to allocate any
proceeds received by Steve as a result of his then pending personal
injury claim brought pursuant to the Structural Work Act (740 ILCS
150/0.01 et seq. (West 1992) (repealed by Pub Act 89--2, 5, eff.
February 14, 1995)).
On October 4, 1996, Steve filed a petition for allocation of
proceeds from the settlement of his Structural Work Act claim. In
the petition, Steve stated that the net settlement proceeds payable
to him after all liens, costs, and attorney fees was $375,337.33.
The petition further alleged that 80% ($324,425.88) of the
settlement proceeds represented Steve s future wage loss; 6.66%
represented future medical expenses; 6.66% represented past medical
expenses; and 6.66% represented pain and suffering. On January 14,
1997, the trial court entered an order requesting both parties to
submit briefs suggesting the appropriate allocation of the
settlement proceeds for purposes of a property settlement and child
support.
Pursuant to this order, on February 3, 1997, Steve filed a
brief in which he presented his proposal as to the appropriate
allocation of the settlement proceeds. In his brief, Steve relied
on this court s decision in Villanueva v. O Gara, 282 Ill. App. 3d
147 (1996), and argued that a personal injury settlement could not
be considered income for purposes of awarding child support. Steve
argued that, because he was only 40 years old and physically unable
to work, any lump sum payment for child support was inappropriate
and would result in hardship. Instead, Steve suggested that an
annuity be purchased in the name of the minor.
Steve also noted that, prior to the dissolution proceeding, the
parties had filed for bankruptcy protection in federal court. As
part of that proceeding, the bankruptcy court apparently ordered
that the parties deposit $50,000 with the bankruptcy trustee pending
the payment of all administrative fees and unsecured claims. Steve
argued that the parties should each pay $25,000 towards the
satisfaction of this deposit amount.
On February 24, 1997, following a hearing, the trial court
ordered Steve to pay the $50,000 bankruptcy deposit and other
amounts from his settlement proceeds. Further, the trial court
ordered the remaining sum of $324,425.88 to be allocated as follows:
10% ($32,442.50) to Janet as marital property; 20% ($64,885) to
establish a trust for the support and benefit of Cassandra with
Janet as trustee; and the remaining 70% ($227,098.38) to Steve as
a distribution of marital property. Following the denial of his
posttrial motion, Steve filed a timely notice of appeal.
Steve contends on appeal that the trial court erred in finding
that the settlement proceeds could be considered "income" for
purposes of making a child support award. Steve does not challenge
the trial court's decision to order the establishment of a trust or
its decision to award Janet 10% of the remaining settlement
proceeds. However, he argues that the trial court erred in
determining and calculating the specific amount of child support.
In support of this argument, Steve contends (1) that the trial court
should have subtracted the 10% ($32,442.50) of the settlement
proceeds awarded to Janet prior to calculating the 20% amount to be
allocated to the section 503(g) trust (750 ILCS 5/503(g) (West
1996)) established on behalf of Cassandra; (2) that the trial court
should have allocated only that portion of the settlement proceeds
representing his lost earnings; and (3) that amount of the lump sum
payment to fund the trust was not proper in light of Cassandra s age
and Steve's financial situation. Because these arguments are
closely related, we will address them together.
When making an award of child support, the trial court must
determine the statutory minimum amount by taking a certain
percentage of the supporting party s net income. 750 ILCS
5/505(a)(1) (West 1996); Villanueva, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 150. In
applying this statute, the trial court must first make a threshold
determination as to the party s net income. 750 ILCS 5/505(a)(1)
(West 1996); Villanueva, 282 Ill. App. 3d at 150. This court has
noted that a personal injury settlement constitutes "net income" for
purposes of section 505(a)(1) of the Illinois Marriage and
Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/505(a)(1) (West 1996))
(Marriage Act or the Act) only to the extent that it reimburses the
injured party for lost earnings. See Villanueva, 282 Ill. App. 3d
at 150-51.
In the case at bar, although the court properly deducted
$50,000 for the bankruptcy deposit, the court failed to deduct the
10% awarded to Janet and the 20% of the settlement representing
damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering. Thus, the
trial court failed to correctly determine Steve's net income prior
to the allocation for child support.
In addition, even if the trial court had based its child
support award on only the correctly determined net income, the award
would have exceeded the statutory minimum contained in section
505(a)(1) of the Marriage Act. Section 505(a)(1) of the Marriage
Act states that the court is to award 20% of the supporting party's
net income for the support of one minor child. 750 ILCS 5/505(a)(1)
(West 1996). The section lists five factors which the trial court
may consider when deciding whether to deviate from the statutory
minimum:
"(a) the financial resources and needs of the child;
(b) the financial resources and needs of the custodial
parent;
(c) the standard of living the child would have enjoyed
had the marriage not been dissolved;
(d) the physical and emotional condition of the child,
and his educational needs; and
(e) the financial resources and needs of the non-
custodial parent." 750 ILCS 5/505(a)(2) (West 1996).
If the trial court deviates from this minimum amount, it must state
"the reason or reasons for the variance from the guidelines." 750
ILCS 505(a)(2) (West 1996).
Since Steve is permanently disabled, the amount he was awarded
for lost wages compensated him for the wages he would have earned
throughout the remainder of his expected work life, which arguably
could have been another 25 years (Steve was only 40 years old when
he received the settlement award). However, Cassandra was six years
old (12 years before reaching majority) at the time of the trial
court's decision. Thus, even if the trial court had awarded only
20% of Steve's future net income, this amount would have, in
essence, been tantamount to providing child support well past the
time when Cassandra reached the age of majority. Put another way,
the trial court, without comment or explanation, awarded child
support for 25 years of future net income rather than the 12 years
that would have taken Cassandra to majority. Because the trial
court deviated from the statutory minimum for child support without
stating its reasons for doing so, the trial court abused its
discretion. See In re Marriage of Metz, 233 Ill. App. 3d 50, 56,
(1992).
Janet argues that the issue of "net income" is not relevant
because the trial court did not base its decision on section 505 of
the Act (750 ILCS 5/505 (West 1996)). Rather, according to Janet,
the trial court determined that Steve's settlement proceeds
constituted marital property and ordered the establishment of the
trust based on section 503(g) of the Act (750 ILCS 503(g) (West
1996)). Janet, therefore, contends that the trial court need not
consider the guidelines contained in section 505 of the Act. We
disagree with Janet.
Section 503(g) of the Marriage Act provides:
"The court if necessary to protect and promote the best
interests of the children may set aside a portion of the
jointly or separately held estates of the parties in a
separate fund or trust for the support, maintenance,
education, and general welfare of any minor, dependent, or
incompetent child of the parties." 750 ILCS 5/503(g) (West
1996).
However, when a court orders a section 503(g) trust established for
the benefit of a child, it must proceed under the guidelines of the
relevant statutory provision. In re Marriage of Harsy, 193 Ill.
App. 3d 415, 423 (1990). For example, in Harsy, the appellate court
held that, in ordering the establishment of a section 503(g) trust
for the college education of the parties' children, the trial court
properly considered the factors set forth in section 513 of the
Marriage Act pertaining to the educational expenses of children.
Harsy, 193 Ill. App. 3d at 423. Likewise, when a trial court orders
the establishment of a trust for the purposes of child support, it
must consider the factors set forth in section 505 of the Act. See
Harsy, 193 Ill. App. 3d at 423..
The dissent's argument that he is not aware of a "case in which
the amount of a section 503(g) trust was determined by taking a
percentage of the supporting parties' net income" (slip op. at 12)
misses the point. While not addressing the precise issue in the
case at bar, both Harsy (193 Ill. App. 3d 415) and In re Marriage
of Hobson (220 Ill. App. 3d 1006, (1991) stand for the proposition
that, when establishing a section 503(g) trust, a trial court must
make certain findings and provide some rationale for its decision
regarding the funding of the trust. Here, the trial court provided
no rationale for its funding decision, which ostensibly orders child
support until the child reaches the age of 37.
Furthermore, when a court orders the creation of a section
503(g) trust for the benefit of a child, it must describe the terms
of the trust with sufficient particularity. See Hobson, 220 Ill.
App. 3d at 1014-15. The trial court must determine a dollar amount
of child support and require the appointed trustee to make regular
payments from the fund. Hobson, 220 Ill. App. 3d at 1015.
Provisions may be made for the payment of the child's other
reasonable expenses, such as maintenance, education, and general
welfare. 750 ILCS 5/503(g) (West 1996); Hobson, 220 Ill. App. 3d
at 1015. In addition, the trial court must provide for the
termination of the trust upon the emancipation of the child and for
the payment of any residue to the party who funded the trust.
Hobson, 220 Ill. App. 3d at 1015. However, the trial court may make
reasonable provisions for the child's college expenses. 750 ILCS
5/513 (West 1996); Harsy, 193 Ill. App. 3d at 422.
In the case at bar, we determine that the trial court failed
to make the necessary findings regarding the creation of a trust
under section 503(g) of the Act. Contrary to the dissent's belief,
we do not hold that the trial court abused its discretion in
ordering the creation of a trust, which would result in a reversal.
We merely require the trial court to describe the terms of the trust
with sufficient particularity and to make express findings and
provide a rationale that supports its determination and comports
with the relevant guidelines. Accordingly, we vacate the trial
court's creation of a trust and remand the cause with directions
that the trial court proceed in conformity with this opinion.
Finally, Steve argues that the trial court erred by failing to
credit him for Janet s portion of the $50,000 bankruptcy deposit,
which was paid out of Steve's settlement proceeds. Steve claims
that half of the $50,000 bankruptcy deposit should have been
subtracted from Janet's property settlement because the debt was
incurred by both parties. Thus, Steve urges this court to reduce
Janet's property settlement award by $25,000. The record reveals
that Steve raised this issue in his posttrial motion. However,
when specifically asked about this argument during the posttrial
motion hearing, Steve expressly disavowed the argument.
Accordingly, we determine that Steve abandoned this issue.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the portion of the
judgment ordering the $50,000 bankruptcy deposit allocation and the
10% marital property allocation to Janet, reverse the portion of the
judgment funding the trust and vacate the portion of the judgment
creating the trust, and we remand the cause for further proceedings
consistent with this opinion.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and vacated in part; cause
remanded.
RATHJE, J., concurs.
PRESIDING JUSTICE GEIGER, dissenting:
I respectfully dissent. I believe that the majority opinion
improperly usurps the trial court s discretion to establish and fund
a child support trust pursuant to section 503(g) of the Illinois
Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the Act) (750 ILCS
5/503(g) (West 1996)). In reversing the trial court s
determination, the majority has obviously chosen to ignore the plain
language of section 503(g), as well as the unique circumstances of
this case. In so doing, the majority has significantly undermined
the ability of our trial courts to ensure that parents will take
financial responsibility for their children.
The primary flaw in the majority s analysis is that it fails
to differentiate between sections 505(a) and 503(g) of the Act.
Unlike section 505(a), which directs the trial court to determine
an award of child support by taking a fixed percentage of the
supporting party s "net income" (750 ILCS 5/505(a)(1) (West 1996)),
section 503(g) permits the trial court to set aside a portion of the
parties "jointly or separately held estates" to protect and promote
the best interests of the children (750 ILCS 5/503(g) (West 1996)).
Under section 503(g), the focus is not on a distribution of the
parties "net income," but on the distribution of the parties
marital and nonmarital assets. See Atkinson v. Atkinson, 87 Ill. 2d 174, 178-79 (1981). Indeed, I am aware of no case in which the
amount of a section 503(g) trust was determined by taking a
percentage of the supporting parties net income. See In re
Marriage of Andrew, 258 Ill. App. 3d 924, 928-29 (1993); In re
Marriage of Vucic, 216 Ill. App. 3d 692, 701 (1991); In re Marriage
of Harsy, 193 Ill. App. 3d 415, 419-22 (1990).
I therefore fail to understand the majority s conclusion that
Cassandra s trust had to be funded in accordance with the
requirements of section 505(a). Such a conclusion improperly
entangles the mechanics of section 505(a) with those of section
503(g) and is hopelessly irreconcilable with the plain language of
section 503(g). Moreover, I believe that such an interpretation
negates the very purpose of section 503(g), which is to ensure the
availability of funds for a child s support and well-being even
where the parents future earnings will be insufficient to do so.
See Andrew, 258 Ill. App. 3d at 928-29. The majority opinion
effectively strips the trial court of this important tool and
implies that parents have only limited financial responsibility for
their children.
Additionally, the sole authority that the majority offers for
its novel interpretation of section 503(g) is inapposite at best.
See In re Marriage of Harsy, 193 Ill. App. 3d 415, 423 (1991).
Although the court in Harsy did hold that a trial court must
consider the factors contained in section 513 of the Act prior to
establishing an education trust pursuant to section 503(g), the
opinion contains absolutely no discussion concerning the manner in
which such a trust must be funded. Harsy, 193 Ill. App. 3d at 423.
The case certainly does not hold that section 503(g) trusts must be
funded in conformity with the requirements of section 505(a).
Rather, under the plain language of section 503(g), I believe
that the entirety of Steve s settlement proceeds were subject to
allocation for Cassandra s trust. It is well settled that personal
injury awards for claims that arise during the marriage are marital
property subject to division or allocation under section 503. In
re Marriage of Burt, 144 Ill. App. 3d 177, 182 (1986); In re
Marriage of Gan, 83 Ill. App. 3d 265, 270 (1980). In the instant
case, neither party disputes that Steve s personal injury settlement
proceeds are compensation for a claim that arose during their
marriage. As the entire settlement amount constituted marital
property that was subject to allocation under section 503(g), I
believe that it was unnecessary and irrelevant for the trial court
to consider what portion of Steve s settlement proceeds constituted
"net income." For this same reason, I do not believe that it was
necessary for the trial court to subtract that portion of the
settlement proceeds awarded to Janet prior to calculating the
portion to be allocated to Cassandra s trust.
Moreover, I do not believe that the trial court abused its
discretion in making the threshold determination that a section
503(g) trust was necessary to protect and promote Cassandra s best
interests. The trial court has the discretion to establish a
section 503(g) trust from marital funds when there is evidence
showing a need to protect the interests of the children. Andrews,
258 Ill. App. 3d at 928. The necessity of such a trust may be shown
by either the unwillingness or inability of a parent charged with
child support to make payment. In re Marriage of Hobson, 220 Ill.
App. 3d 1006, 1013-14 (1991).
The record presented in the instant case clearly demonstrates
that Steve is either unable or unwilling to meet his financial
obligations to support Cassandra. Steve had not worked for several
years prior to the judgment of dissolution, and his prospects for
future employment are slight. His sole source of income is derived
from his disability benefits and his workers compensation and
personal injury settlements. On two separate occasions, Janet was
required to file a motion for a rule to show cause against Steve to
compel compliance with the trial court s temporary support and
counseling orders. At the time the dissolution order was entered,
there was also a $1,700 arrearage on Steve s support obligations.
Moreover, conspicuously absent from the majority opinion is
perhaps the most troubling evidence concerning Steve s financial
priorities. The record reveals that, a year and a half after his
injury, Steve purchased a $40,000 vehicle. If Steve truly were as
concerned about his financial security as he represents in his
brief, then I fail to comprehend the wisdom of making such a large
purchase when Steve was totally disabled and his only income came
from disability benefits. In light of such an extravagant purchase,
and given the parties need to obtain bankruptcy protection, I
believe that trial court properly determined that the creation of
the section 503(g) trust was absolutely necessary to protect
Cassandra s best interests.
Nor do I believe that the trial court abused its discretion in
awarding a lump sum payment of 20% of the settlement proceeds to
fund Cassandra s trust. At the time of the trial court s order,
Cassandra was only seven years old. Excluding interest, the trust
will provide a monthly amount of $491 until Cassandra reaches
majority. However, Cassandra s right to support will not
necessarily terminate at majority. Indeed, Cassandra has a
reasonable expectation that she will continue to receive financial
support through college. 750 ILCS 5/513 (West 1996); Harsy, 193
Ill. App. 3d at 422-24. I object to the majority s mathematical
analysis of this issue, as it completely fails to take such
considerations into account.
In light of the fact that Steve will likely be unable to
provide any additional financial support, I do not believe that
$64,885 is an unreasonable amount to fund the trust. Such a sum
will obviously be necessary to provide for Cassandra s basic needs
during the next 11 years. Moreover, if properly invested, the trust
could also help finance Cassandra s college education. In
determining the trust amount, I believe that the trial court
properly considered Cassandra s age, as well as Steve s age and
future earning capacity.
Finally, the majority attacks the trial court s order because
it fails to describe the terms of the trust with sufficient
particularity and because it lacks specific findings explaining the
trial court s rationale for establishing the trust. I believe that
it is inappropriate for the majority to consider this issue when it
was not raised by either party at trial or on appeal. Generally,
issues not raised and argued before the appellate court are treated
as waived. Meyers v. Kissner, 149 Ill. 2d 1, 8 (1992). The
majority disregards this basic principle and issues its ruling
without affording Janet the opportunity to brief this issue.
For the reasons already discussed, I believe that the record
herein already provides sufficient justification for the trial
court s order. Because I believe that the order effectuates the
purpose of section 503(g) and ensures that Steve will take financial
responsibility for Cassandra s well-being, I would affirm the
judgment of the circuit court.