Varnell v. Varnell

LThe plaintiff, Michael Stuart Varnell, appeals a trial court’s award of $475 per month in permanent periodic spousal support to his former spouse, Cynthia Denise Thomas Varnell. For the following reasons, we reverse the trial court’s judgment and remand this matter for further proceedings.

FACTS

Michael Stuart Varnell (“Michael”) and Cynthia Denise Thomas Varnell (“Cynthia”) were married on September 16, 1978.1 In late June or early July 2013, Cynthia was diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently underwent a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Michael continued in the marriage…