In re the Marriage of Pickering

Wife appeals an order terminating her award of permanent spousal support.1 On de novo review, we modify the order to award wife $150 per month in permanent spousal support.

The parties were married in 1951. In December, 1982, wife filed a petition for dissolution. Trial was held in June, 1983. At that time, wife’s mother was ill with cancer and her death was imminent. The trial court was informed that, in the event that wife’s mother were to die, wife would receive an inheritance. In July, 1983, wife’s mother died. Later in July, the trial judge wrote a letter opinion in which he said that he…