In re the Marriage of Bliven

Husband appeals the denial of his motion to modify or terminate his obligation to pay spousal support. Husband and wife had been married 29 years before the dissolution in 1979, when husband was earning $2,500 a month. Wife was 48 years old, had not worked since 1952 and had no particular job skills. The trial court ordered husband to pay $650 a month for one year and $500 a month thereafter.

Wife, now 59, earns $1,050 a month working 30 hours a week. Her employer cannot hire her full-time, and she is not sure that her health would permit it anyway. In 1981, she began living with a man in a…