Lustgarten v. Lustgarten

The former husband appeals the circuit court’s final order holding him in contempt for willfully failing to pay the cost of the former wife’s liver transplant. The husband argues that the transplant was not “reasonable and necessary” and that his actions were not willful. We reject the first argument but agree with the second. Thus, we reverse.

The husband and wife entered into a settlement which the court incorporated into a final judgment of dissolution. The judgment provides:

[S]o long as [the husband’s] alimony obligation exists, [he] shall also pay the wife’s medical insurance coverage and…