Murphy v. Murphy
Supreme Court of Maine
816 A.2d 814 (2003)
After 26 years together, Michael Murphy (plaintiff) sought divorce from Stephanie Murphy (defendant); Michael had financially supported the family while Stephanie stayed home raising their son. At the divorce hearing, Stephanie testified she wanted to attend college to become a sign-language interpreter, needed about $11,250 in dental work, and wished to continue depression therapy. The trial court gave Michael the $120,000 marital home along with the mortgage obligation, ordered him to pay Stephanie $50,000 for a more equitable property division, and separately awarded her $60,000 in transitional spousal support covering her education, medical, and dental needs; Michael appealed the support award as excessive, and Stephanie cross-appealed the property division and the court's failure to separately award attorney's fees.
Whether transitional spousal support may be awarded to cover a spouse's needs, including short-term financial needs associated with divorce or training and education for workforce reentry or advancement.