Shumake v. Shumake
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Leslie Shumake, Jr. and Katarina Shumake were granted a divorce in 2009. In the judgment, the chancellor ordered Leslie to pay Katarina $5,750 per month in periodic alimony. Shortly thereafter, Katarina filed a complaint for citation for contempt, claiming that Leslie had not paid the amount of alimony ordered by the chancellor. From the time Katarina filed her initial contempt complaint in 2009 until April 2012, the chancery court held hearings and entered various orders addressing the alimony and Leslie’s arrearage. In the end, the chancellor concluded that Leslie owed Katarina $58,550, plus interest, in arrearage. Leslie appealed the chancellor’s order. The Court of Appeals held, inter alia, that "on [the] unique facts [of the present case], we find that it would be fundamentally unfair and unjust to charge Leslie with a $58,550 arrearage." The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded that portion of the chancellor’s order. Katarina appealed. The Supreme Court concluded the appellate court erred in holding the arrearage award should have been reversed and remanded. The case was remanded for further proceedings.
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