Misinonile v. Misinonile

The plaintiff appeals from the judgment of the trial court granting the defendant’s motion for downward modification of periodic alimony awarded to the plaintiff upon the dissolution of their marriage, and denying her motion seeking an upward modification. The issue is whether the court abused its discretion in reducing that award.

The parties’ nineteen year marriage was dissolved in 1980. At that time, the trial court ordered the defendant to pay the plaintiff $200 per week in periodic alimony and $25 per week for child support.1 In 1981, the child was made a ward of the state and the alimony…