In Re Marriage of Christie

Lois J. Christie appeals a portion of a September 1992 order of the family court terminating the court’s jurisdiction over the matter of spousal support as of June 1, 1994, subject to its jurisdiction to alter, terminate or modify support in the interim, and immediately terminating its jurisdiction to extend spousal support or spousal support jurisdiction beyond June 1, 1994.

Finding no abuse of the court’s wide discretion in terminating spousal support as of June 1, 1994, under the circumstances, we affirm that portion of tiie order. However, we determine the trial court erred in immediately terminating its jurisdiction to extend the spousal support order beyond the date fixed for termination of spousal support. Thus, we reverse that portion of the order and remand the matter to permit Lois to show good cause why the trial court’s jurisdiction should be extended beyond that date.

Facts

The 13-year marriage of Lois and Robert began June 5, 1974. Lois and Robert separated June 29, 1987, when Lois was 49 and Robert was 52. The marriage terminated in November 1988. There were no children. In accordance with a marital settlement agreement incorporated into the judgment,…