Bond v. Bond, March 16, 2018

Held:  Imputation of Income Proper for MS in Alimony Case.

Case synopsis/analysis:  A 27 year marriage, and Wife had quit working several years before trial due to MS which caused stress for her at work, some mistakes at work that caused her stress, and the hope of receiving SSD. A vocational expert testified at trial that she could work with some reasonable accommodations such as smaller tasks and longer breaks, and that there were employers and jobs available. “After a four-day divorce trial, the court ordered [Husband] to pay $2,350 per month in alimony to [Wife]. As part of its alimony calculation, the trial court imputed to Wife a monthly income of $600 [for part time work of 3 hours per day, fifteen hours per week at $9.61 per hour]. Wife appeals, asserting that the trial court erred by imputing any income to her at all, and contending that the alimony award therefore should have been larger. Because the trial court’s findings regarding imputation of income were supported by competent evidence, we affirm.” Bond v. Bond, 2018 UT App 38.