Wharton v. Wharton
Annotate this Case___________
No. 20732
___________
ROBERT LEWIS WHARTON,
Plaintiff Below, Appellee
V.
BARBARA JEAN WHARTON
Defendant Below, Appellant
______________________________________________________
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Nicholas County
Honorable James H. Wolverton, Judge
Civil Action No. 2536
REVERSED AND REMANDED
______________________________________________________
Submitted: September 23, 1992
Filed: December 10, 1992
W. Dale Greene, Esq.
Charleston, West Virginia
Attorney for the Appellee
Donald K. Bischoff, Esq.
Summersville, West Virginia
Attorney for the Appellant
The Opinion of the Court was delivered PER CURIAM.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. "'In a divorce suit the finding of fact of a trial
chancellor based on conflicting evidence will not be disturbed on
appeal unless it is clearly wrong or against the preponderance of
the evidence.' Syllabus Point 1, Marcum v. Browning, W.Va., 297 S.E.2d 204; Syllabus, Waller v. Waller, 166 W.Va. 142, 272 S.E.2d 671 (1981); Syllabus Point 4, Belcher v. Belcher, 151 W.Va. 274,
151 S.E.2d 635 (1966); Syllabus Point 3, Taylor v. Taylor, 128
W.Va. 198, 36 S.E.2d 601 (1945). Syllabus, Fizer v. Fizer, [173]
W.Va. [704], 310 S.E.2d 465 (1983)." Syllabus Point 3, Shank v.
Shank, 182 W. Va. 271, 387 S.E.2d 325 (1989).
2. "'While as a general rule alimony does not survive
the death of the payor former spouse, where there are compelling
equitable considerations which militate in favor of making alimony
a charge against a deceased former spouse's estate, the circuit
court has the power to make such an award pursuant to the same
authority which entitled a court of equity to modify any alimony
award to reflect changed circumstances.' Syl. pt. 2, In re Estate
of Hereford, 162 W.Va. 477, 250 S.E.2d 45 (1978)." Syllabus Point
1, Matter of Estate of Weller, 179 W. Va. 804, 374 S.E.2d 712, 79
A.L.R.4th 1 (1988).
3. "'The purpose of W.Va. Code, 48-2-13(a)(4) (1986), is to enable a spouse who does not have financial resources to obtain reimbursement for costs and attorney's fees [incurred] [sic] during the course of the litigation.' Syllabus Point 14, Bettinger v. Bettinger, 183 W.Va. 528, 396 S.E.2d 709 (1990)." Syllabus Point 6, Charlton v. Charlton, 186 W. Va. 670, 413 S.E.2d 911 (1991).
Per Curiam:
Barbara Jean Wharton appeals the decision of the Circuit
Court of Nicholas County that denied her an increase in alimony,
refused to require her alimony to be a charge against the estate of
Robert Lewis Wharton (her former husband) and denied her attorney's
fees. On appeal, Mrs. Wharton contends that the circuit court
abused his discretion in these matters. Because we find that the
circuit court erred, we reverse the decision of the circuit court.
After eighteen years of marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wharton
were divorced on April 29, 1971. Mrs. Wharton was awarded custody
of the four children, then ages 17, 13, 10 and 2 and Mr. Wharton,
whose income was then $48,000, was required to pay $150 per child
per month in child support and $650 per month in alimony and to
provide a college education for each child.See footnote 1 The divorce order did
not distribute stock in a supply company that was begun in 1961 by
Mr. Wharton and others. Mr. Wharton continues to own one-half of
the stock and to be employed by the company. In 1988 the supply
company had gross sales in excess of $5,000,000, total assets in
excess of $1,000,000 and retained unappropriated earnings of about
$500,000. In the divorce, Mrs. Wharton retained a 1970 Oldsmobile
and the marital house was deeded to the parties' four children.
Mrs. Wharton did not remarry and her 1986 annual income
of $8,336 was derived from alimony ($7,800), stock dividends ($509)
and interest ($27). Although Mrs. Wharton, a high school graduate
with some office skills, has been unemployed for five years, she
worked as a receptionist and a clerk and was the proprietor of a
used furniture store. Throughout their formative years Mrs.
Wharton cared for the parties' four childrenSee footnote 2 and currently, she
is caring for her seventy-nine-year-old mother who is suffering
from Alzheimer's disease.See footnote 3 Mrs. Wharton's financial need is about
$11,600 per year and, because of a lack of money, she has deferred
medical treatment, dental work and new glasses. Mrs. Wharton also
owns a 1976 Chevrolet, some AT&T stock, one-half interest in the
former marital houseSee footnote 4 and a $10,000 certificate of deposit, all of
which were gifts from her family.
Mr. Wharton remarried once but is not currently married.
Mr. Wharton's gross income was $133,742 in 1985, $66,932 in 1986,
$81,690 in 1987 and $104,638 in 1988. Mr. Wharton owns certain
assets that produce about $3,000 per year in tax exempt interest
and a tax shelter-real estate investment that generates a "paper"
tax loss of approximately $4,000 per year. Mr. Wharton also owns
a motor home (purchased for $62,300), two Model-A Fords, a Lincoln
Continental, an IRA valued at $17,500, a pension valued at
$126,500, stocks and bonds valued at $80,000 (most of which produce
tax free income), a residence with an estimated value of $70,000,
a condominium with an estimated value of $40,000 and a bank account
of at least $6,000. Because of his employment, Mr. Wharton
receives the following benefits: health insurance, life insurance,
contributions to his pension plan, a company car and maintenance of
the company car. Mr. Wharton's monthly financial need is $4,690.
The parties were referred to the family law master who,
after hearing the evidence, said that "Mrs. Wharton lives on the
edge of poverty, while Mr. Wharton enjoys a very substantial income
and lifestyle [sic]." The master recommended that Mrs. Wharton's
alimony be raised from $650 to $1,300 per month effective May 1,
1990.
Both parties petitioned the circuit court for review; Mr.
Wharton objected to the alimony increase and Mrs. Wharton objected
because the master did not recommend that the alimony be charged
against her former husband's estate and did not award her
attorney's fees. After hearing arguments on the petitions, the
circuit court refused to increase Mrs. Wharton's alimony from $650
per month, refused to make Mrs. Wharton's alimony a charge against
Mr. Wharton's estate and denied Mrs. Wharton's motion for
attorney's fees and costs. Alleging that the circuit court had
abused his discretion in these matters, Mrs. Wharton appealed to
this Court.
I
W. Va. Code, 48-2-16(a)[1984] states that the award of
alimony is "subject to subsequent modification unless there is some
explicit, well expressed, clear, plain and unambiguous provision to
the contrary set forth in the . . . order granting the divorce."
The party seeking the modification has the burden of showing that
an unexpected substantial change of circumstances occurred. In Goff
v. Goff, 177 W. Va. 742, 356 S.E.2d 496 (1987) we said that "[t]he
party petitioning for a modification of the support provisions of
a divorce decree bears the burden of showing a substantial change
of circumstances" (Syllabus Point 3) and that "the change must be
one which would not reasonably have been expected at the time of
the divorce decree." (Syllabus Point 4, in part.)
An unexpected substantial change of circumstances can be
shown by various factors. In Lambert v. Miller, 178 W. Va. 224,
226, 358 S.E.2d 785, 787 (1987) (considering modification of a
child support order), we listed several factors that may be
considered, including: "a change in the financial resources or
ability to pay on part of the parent obligated to pay support,
needs of the child or children for whom support is paid, . . . and
the duration of the change. . . ." In Syllabus Point 2, Gardner v.
Gardner, 184 W. Va. 260, 400 S.E.2d 268 (1990) we expanded upon
those factors that may be considered to show a substantial change
in circumstances by holding that "a change in the cost of living
caused by inflation or increases in the children's needs . . . or
unexpected changes affecting basic needs such as housing or
transportation" can be a substantial change in circumstances.
The evidence in this case shows that both parties had
substantial changes in circumstances. Mrs. Wharton, who was 40
years old in 1971 when she was divorced, has held only low paying
jobs and since 1984 she has been unemployed. In addition, Mrs.
Wharton is providing substantial care for her infirmed mother. Mr.
Wharton's company is a financial success and his income increased
from about $48,000 at the time of the divorce to about $104,000 in
1988. Based on the evidence of record, we find that Mrs. Wharton
has shown uncontemplated substantial changes of circumstances.
Based on the unequal financial resources and potential
earnings of the parties, the family law master recommended that
Mrs. Wharton's alimony be doubled to $1,300 per month. See West
Virginia Code, 48-2-16(b)[1984], which includes among the factors
to be considered in determining the amount of alimony, "[t]he
present employment income . . . of each party . . .; [t]he income-earning abilities of each of the parties . . .; [and t]he financial
need of each party. . . ."See footnote 5
In his petition to the circuit court, Mr. Wharton
successfully argued that consideration should be given to the
income of Mrs. Wharton's mother because Mrs. Wharton controls the
income through a power of attorney and provides her mother with
substantial care. The monthly income of Mrs. Wharton's mother
includes $460 from social security, $102 from a pension and about
$200 from interest on certificates of deposit. However, the record
contains no information on the living expenses for Mrs. Wharton's
mother, except Mrs. Wharton's testimony that her mother's income is
used to provide round-the-clock care, some of which occurs in the
former home of Mrs. Wharton's mother. In Conner v. Conner, 176 W.
Va. 512, 514, 334 S.E.2d 650, 652 (1985), we allowed a contribution
similar "to rent" paid by a mother living with a party to be
considered by the trial court, "particularly since the wife does
not urge that the amount of alimony and child support awarded is
inadequate." In the present case there is no evidence to justify
considering Mrs. Wharton's mother's income to be a contribution
similar "to rent."
Mr. Wharton also argues that the rental value of Mrs.
Wharton's mother home should be added to Mrs. Wharton's available
resources. This argument is based on the unwarranted assumption
that Mrs. Wharton's mother no longer occupies her home. See supra
note 3. Given the record, we find the circuit court should not
have considered Mrs. Wharton's income to include her mother's
income and should have followed the family law master's
recommendation to increase Mrs. Wharton's alimony.
W. Va. Code, 48A-4-10(c)[1990] provides, in pertinent
part:
The circuit court shall examine the
recommended order of the master, along with
the findings and conclusions of the master,
and may enter the recommended order, may
recommit the case, with instructions, for
further hearing before the master or may, in
its discretion, enter an order upon different
terms, as the ends of justice may
require. . . .
In Syllabus Point 3 of Shank v. Shank, 182 W. Va. 271, 387 S.E.2d 325 (1989), we said:
"'In a divorce suit the finding of fact of a
trial chancellor based on conflicting evidence
will not be disturbed on appeal unless it is
clearly wrong or against the preponderance of
the evidence.' Syllabus Point 1, Marcum v.
Browning, W.Va., 297 S.E.2d 204; Syllabus,
Waller v. Waller, 166 W.Va. 142, 272 S.E.2d 671 (1981); Syllabus Point 4, Belcher v.
Belcher, 151 W.Va. 274, 151 S.E.2d 635 (1966);
Syllabus Point 3, Taylor v. Taylor, 128 W.Va.
198, 36 S.E.2d 601 (1945)." Syllabus, Fizer
v. Fizer, [172] W. Va. [704], 310 S.E.2d 465
(1983).
We find that the circuit court's order refusing to follow the
family law master's recommendation to increase Mrs. Wharton's
alimony to $1300 per month was not required by the "ends of
justice" and was against the preponderance of the evidence.
II
Mrs. Wharton also maintains that the circuit court erred
in failing to require that her alimony be a charge against the
estate of Mr. Wharton. The parties' divorce order did not make the
alimony payments binding on the estate of Mr. Wharton, and Mrs.
Wharton's petition for modification did not specifically raise the
issue.See footnote 6 The issue was not raised before or considered by the
family law master and his recommended decision did not address the
issue. However in her petition to the circuit court to review the
family law master's recommended decision, Mrs. Wharton argued that
her basic needs will continue if Mr. Wharton were to die before
her.
In Prather v. Prather, 172 W. Va. 348, 352, 305 S.E.2d 304, 309 (1983), we recognized that "in certain instances alimony
may be made binding on a former spouse's estate."
While as a general rule alimony does not
survive the death of the payor former spouse,
where there are compelling equitable
considerations which militate in favor of
making alimony a charge against a deceased
former spouse's estate, the circuit court has
the power to make such an award pursuant to
the same authority which entitled a court of
equity to modify any alimony award to reflect
changed circumstances.
Syllabus Point 3, Prather quoting Syllabus Point 2 of In re Estate
of Hereford, 162 W. Va. 477, 250 S.E.2d 45 (1978). In Accord
Syllabus Point 1, Matter of Estate of Weller, 179 W. Va. 804, 374 S.E.2d 712 (1988). In Prather, we noted that "dictum in earlier
West Virginia cases (citations omitted)" supported this view and
that "[o]ur rule is widely followed. (Citations omitted)."
Prather at 352, 305 S.E.2d at 309.See footnote 7
However, we require that "in order for alimony to be
binding on an estate the divorce decree, or property settlement
agreement if it is ratified or approved in the court decree, must
specifically state that the obligation is binding on the estate.
(Citations omitted)." Prather at 352-53, 305 S.E.2d at 309.
In Estate of Weller, we noted that the rule enunciated in
Prather was codified in West Virginia Code 48-2-15(f) [1992].See footnote 8 We
also recognize that "this statute is not retroactive with respect
to alimony payments and is therefore not dispositive of the issue"
in cases arising before the statute's effective date. Estate of
Weller at 806, 374 S.E.2d at 714. See West Virginia Code 48-2-36
[1984]. In Estate of Weller, we characterized Mrs. Weller's right
to receive a sum certain over a specified period as "alimony in
gross," which in the absence of a contrary intention "vests on the
date it is ordered and, in the event of the payor's death, the
amount due becomes a charge upon the payor's estate." Estate of
Weller at 808, 374 S.E.2d at 716. See also Scott v. Wagoner, 184
W. Va. 312, 400 S.E.2d 556 (1990) (holding that the circuit court
had authority to enforce a child support obligation as a lien
against the deceased obligor's estate).
In the present case, which is similar to Estate of
Weller, the failure of the parties' 1971 divorce order to state the
effect of the obligor's death on alimony payments is not
dispositive of the issue. In Estate of Hereford, supra, the former
wife was 71 years old, in a nursing home, bereft of all assets
other than a small social security payment and "in dire and
necessitous circumstances"; her former husband left no minor
children in need of care and maintenance, left no close relatives
(except his second wife) dependent on him for support and had a
large estate and, finally, the claim for future alimony payments
had been reduced to a reasonable sum certain. Estate of Hereford at
486, 250 S.E.2d at 51. Although the facts of the present case are
not as compelling, a similar picture is presented. Mrs. Wharton
relies on her alimony payment to provide for her basic needs, and
the record shows that she will continue to need some support if Mr.
Wharton were to die before her.
Although we find that the evidence demonstrates that some
support will be needed by Mrs. Wharton, given the record we are
unable to determine either how much support will be needed or the
proper method for providing the support.See footnote 9 In Cross v. Cross, 178
W. Va. 563, 568, 363 S.E.2d 449, 454 (1987), we addressed a similar
problem concerning the division of "retirement or pension benefits
that have vested but not yet matured." In Cross, we refused to
dictate any specific technique for distributing pensions "because
each pension plan case presents a different set of problems" (Id.
at 568, 363 S.E.2d at 454), but rather, we established broad
guidelines to assist the trial courts in crafting systems to meet
the individual requirements.
Following the general guidelines in Cross, when a court
is required to provide for a former spouse's needs in anticipation
of an obligor's death, "the court should be guided in the selection
of a method of division by the desirability of disentangling
parties from one another as quickly and cleanly as possible."
Syllabus Point 5, in part, Cross.See footnote 10 Depending on the peculiar
facts and circumstances, the court might require the obligor to
establish a trust fund for the former spouse's needs, purchase
insurance naming the former spouse as beneficiary, require a lump
sum bequest to the former spouse, provide a lien on property or
otherwise provide for the former spouse. However, "where there are
compelling equitable considerations which militate in favor of
making alimony a charge against a deceased former spouse's estate,
the circuit court has the power to make such an award." Syllabus
Point 2, in part, Estate of Hereford, supra.
In the case before us, the record does not demonstrate
the level of Mrs. Wharton's need if Mr. Wharton dies before her,
and the circuit court has not had an opportunity to devise an
appropriate plan to meet the problem. Therefore, we remand with
directions to hold a hearing and devise an appropriate plan that is
consistent with these guidelines.
III
Finally, Mrs. Wharton appeals the circuit court's denial
of her attorney's fees and costs. W. Va. Code, 48-2-13(a)(4)
[1992] states that "[t]he court may compel either party to pay
attorney's fees and court costs reasonably necessary . . . to
prosecute or defend the action in the trial court." The record
shows the parties' unequal financial situations and Mrs. Wharton's
unemployment. Mrs. Wharton's situation is analogous to the
situation found in Bettinger v. Bettinger, 183 W. Va. 528, 396 S.E.2d 709 (1990). In Syllabus Point 14, Bettinger, we said:
The purpose of W.Va. Code, 48-2-13(a)(4)
(1986), is to enable a spouse who does not
have financial resources to obtain
reimbursement for costs and attorney's fees
[incurred] [sic] during the course of the
litigation.
In accord Syllabus Point 6, Charlton v. Charlton, 186 W. Va. 670,
413 S.E.2d 911 (1991).
The record indicates that although Mrs. Wharton was not
awarded attorney's fees and costs, the circuit court did consider
the reasonableness of the requested fees by using the factors
outlined in Syllabus Point 4, Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. v.
Pitrolo, 176 W. Va. 190, 342 S.E.2d 156 (1986). See also, Burger
v. Burger, 176 W. Va. 416, 418, 345 S.E.2d 18, 20 (1986) (applying
the same factors to determine the reasonableness of attorney's fee
in a divorce action). The circuit court found that "this matter
should have been completely disposed of so far as the attorneys are
concerned within six months." Although we agree with the time
concerns of the circuit court, the record indicates that at the
time of the circuit court's order the lawyers for both parties
spent about the same amount of time (55.25 hours for Mr. Wharton's
lawyer and 49.5 hours for Mrs. Wharton's lawyer) and had similar
per hour fees ($85.00 per hour for Mr. Wharton's lawyer and $75.00
per hour for Mrs. Wharton's lawyer). Although the circuit court
has considerable discretion in awarding attorney's fees (Somerville
v. Somerville, 179 W. Va. 386, 391, 369 S.E.2d 459, 463 (1988)),
given the discovery problems and the detailed financial
information, we find that Mrs. Wharton's attorney's fees were
reasonable and that the circuit court should have required Mr.
Wharton to pay Mrs. Wharton's attorney's fees and costs.
For the above stated reasons, the judgment of the Circuit
Court of Nicholas County is reversed and the case is remanded for
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Reversed and Remanded.
Footnote: 1Although all of the parties' children have attained majority,
one child remains in college, which costs Mr. Wharton about $1000
per month.
Footnote: 2Because of one child's medical problems, Mrs. Wharton was
constantly "on-call" for several years effectively barring her for
that period from the job market.
Footnote: 3Mrs. Wharton owns and controls various assets that were owned
by her mother, including certificates of deposit and a house.
Although no trust document exists, Mrs. Wharton treats these assets
as a constructive trust for her mother's benefits and does not use
these assets for her personal needs.
Mr. Wharton argues that in addition to alimony Mrs. Wharton's
income includes $460 per month from her mother's social security
check, $102 per month from her mother's pension and about $200 per
month interest from her mother's certificates of deposit. Mr.
Wharton also maintains that her mother's house has a potential
rental value of $400 per month. However the record shows that Mrs.
Wharton's mother spends part of the time at her home and part at
Mrs. Wharton's home.
Footnote: 4Two of the parties' children conveyed their interest in the
former marital house to their mother, Mrs. Wharton.
Footnote: 5According to West Virginia Code, 48-2-16(b)[1984] the
following factors are to be considered "in determining the amount
of alimony":
(1) The length of time the parties were
married;
(2) The period of time during the marriage
when the parties actually lived together as
husband and wife;
(3) The present employment income and other
recurring earnings of each party from any
source;
(4) The income-earning abilities of each of
the parties, based upon such factors as
educational background, training, employment
skills, work experience, length of absence
from the job market and custodial
responsibilities for children;
(5) The distribution of marital property to
be made under the terms of a separation
agreement or by the court under the provisions
of section thirty-two [§ 48-2-32] of this
article, insofar as the distribution affects
or will affect the earnings of the parties and
their ability to pay or their need to receive
alimony, child support or separate
maintenance;
(6) The ages and the physical, mental and
emotional condition of each party;
(7) The educational qualifications of each
party;
(8) The likelihood that the party seeking alimony, child support or separate maintenance
can substantially increase his or her income-earning abilities within a reasonable time by
acquiring additional education or training;
(9) The anticipated expense of obtaining the
education and training described in
subdivision (8) above;
(10) The costs of educating minor children;
(11) The costs of providing health care for
each of the parties and their minor children;
(12) The tax consequences to each party;
(13) The extent to which it would be
inappropriate for a party, because said party
will be the custodian of a minor child or
children, to seek employment outside the home;
(14) The financial need of each party;
(15) The legal obligations of each party to
support himself or herself and to support any
other person; and
(16) Such other factors as the court deems necessary or appropriate to consider in order to arrive at a fair and equitable grant of alimony, child support or separate maintenance. Footnote: 6Mrs. Wharton's petition did request "[t]hat she be awarded such further other general relief which to the Court may seem just and proper." Footnote: 7Although most courts continue to terminate regular periodic alimony payment on the obligor spouse's death, several courts, including this Court, provide an exception to the rule. See Matter of Estate of Jones, 434 N.W.2d 130 (Iowa App. 1988) (decree must clearly provide for continuation of alimony beyond husband's death); Witt v. Witt, 350 N.W.2d 380 ( Minn. App. 1984) (holding invalid an amendment made after the death of obligor, which
required the payment of alimony from the obligor's estate); Prim v.
Prim, 754 S.W.2d 609 (Tenn. 1988) (holding survival of benefits
must be specifically provided for). But see Foskey v. Foskey, 257
Ga. 736, 363 S.E.2d 547 (1988); Clark v. Clark, 782 S.W.2d 56 (Ky.
App. 1990) (holding statute terminating obligation to pay future
maintenance applied to decree requiring payments for 20 years). See
also Annot., 79 A.L.R.4th 10 (1990).
Footnote: 8West Virginia Code, 48-2-15(f)[1992] states:
In every case where a separation agreement
is the basis for an award of alimony, the
court, in approving the agreement, shall
examine the agreement to ascertain whether it
clearly provides for alimony to continue
beyond the death of the payor party or to
cease in such event. Where alimony is to be
paid pursuant to the terms of a separation
agreement which does not state whether the
payment of alimony is to continue beyond the
death of the payor party or is to cease, or
where the parties have not entered into a
separation agreement and alimony is to be
awarded, the court shall specifically state as
a part of its order whether such payments of
alimony are to be continued beyond the death
of the payor party or cease. (Emphasis
added).
Footnote: 9On remand the determination of Mrs. Wharton's resources
should include the amount of Social Security that Mrs. Wharton will
receive either based on her or Mr. Wharton's account.
Footnote: 10Syllabus Point 5, Cross, supra, states:
When a court is required to divide vested pension rights that have not yet matured as an incident to the equitable distribution of marital property at divorce, the court should be guided in the selection of a method of division by the desirability of disentangling parties from one another as quickly and cleanly as possible. Consequently, a court should look to the following methods of dividing pension rights in this descending order of preference unless peculiar facts and circumstances dictate otherwise: (1) lump sum payment through a cash settlement or off-set from other available marital assets; (2) payment over time of the present value of the pension rights at the time of divorce to the non-working spouse; (3) a court order requiring that the non-working spouse share in the benefits on a proportional basis when and if they mature.
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