In Re Marriage of Dennis

This dispute concerns an award of spousal support. Rose Sherman Dennis (“wife”) appeals from an interlocutory judgment of of marriage from Earle Spiliotis Dennis (“husband”).

Facts

The parties were married in October 1946. They have one child, a son, born in 1953. They were separated in December 1970. The dissolution hearing was held in July and December 1971. The interlocutory judgment provided, in relevant part, as follows: the wife was to have custody of the son, who attended and lived at college; the community assets of $5,255 were divided; the interests in the family home, worth about $30,000 were also divided. The wife was awarded spousal support of $200 a month for the first year, and $100 a month for the following three years. Support would then terminate. Child support of $150 a month until the son reached his “majority” was also awarded.

The couple were married for about 25 years. The wife was about 50 years old. She had been keeping some of the monthly $150 in temporary child support to cover her son’s costs when he stayed with her on weekends.

The husband’s gross income was $1,250 a month; his net was $866. The wife was not employed outside the home. She…