Alther v. Alther

The issue in this divorce case is whether the trial court abused its discretion in awarding a lump sum of $12,000 and $120 per week in child support to the plaintiff. We find no error.

The parties were married in 1970. They have two children, who were eight and five years old at the time of the hearing. Plaintiff is a nurse and social worker and has been the main support of the family. Defendant has been in the contracting business but, although he has had enough work, he has never earned more than a small net income from the business.

The parties owned a home subject to three mortgages, the…