CourtListener opinion 2201807

Evidence quotes

Clean opinion text

86 Md. App. 598 (1991) 
 587 A.2d 1133 
 JOHN ROCK 
v. 
PRISCILLA M. ROCK. 
 No. 774, September Term, 1990. 
 Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. 
 April 1, 1991. 
 J. Alan Galbraith (William & Connolly, on the brief), Washington, D.C., for appellant. 
 Suzy Eckstein (Harvey A. Jacobs and Belli, Jacobs, Weil, Jacobs & Grozbean, on the brief), Rockville, for appellee. 
 Argued before BLOOM and ROSALYN B. BELL, JJ., and JAMES S. GETTY, Judge (retired), Specially Assigned). 
 ROSALYN B. BELL, Judge. 
 While a plethora of issues and sub-issues are raised in this domestic case, they all involve money and alleged abuse of discretion. Specifically, the issues cover the award of indefinite spousal support, the amount of child support, the amount of the monetary award, the award of a portion of the proceeds from the sale of automobile kits, and denial of post judgment motions. Since we find no abuse of discretion, we will affirm, except on the issue which deals with an interest in the sale of automobile kits. On that issue, we will reverse and remand. 
 John and Priscilla Rock's relationship began in 1977 when they decided to live together. They separated for about a nine-month period after Mr. Rock was transferred to the Washington, D.C. area. They married on October 24, 1980 after Ms. Rock came to the same area. Beginning in 1981, Christopher, Mr. Rock's son by a prior marriage, also lived with them in the home owned by Mr. Rock. Christopher drowned in an accident on July 4, 1983. Later, two children were born of the marriage, Morgan, born July 31, 1984, and Kathryn (Katie), born October 26, 1986. Ms. Rock worked outside the home until Christopher came to live with them. At that time, she became a full-time wife and mother at Mr. Rock's behest. Since then, she has had employment outside the home, but only for short periods of time. 
 Ms. Rock filed a suit in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County for a limited divorce in November of 1985, alleging desertion and a course of conduct undermining her health. Ms. Rock amended her complaint in July of 1986 and Mr. Rock left the marital home on September 25, 1986. On October 9, 1986, the court entered a pendente lite order for $1,500 per month spousal support and $800 per month for child support. 
 Pursuant to an order of referral from the circuit court to the Domestic Relations Master under Rule 2-541, and based on a third amended complaint filed February 23, 1989, a Domestic Relations Master conducted a merits hearing on March 20, March 21, May 19 and May 22, 1989. After the Master made his proposed recommendations, Mr. Rock filed a Notice of Intent to Except. On September 22, 1989 the Master filed his report, recommending indefinite spousal support to Ms. Rock commencing August 1, 1989 of $1,500 a month and child support of $860 per month per child. The Master also recommended attorney's fees for Ms. Rock of $10,000 and suit money of $3,000, judgment for a monetary award of $53,000, payable at $10,000 a year for five years and $3,000 payable the sixth year, and an award to Ms. Rock of a one-third interest in the marital portion of the Allied Signal Vested Retirement Benefits Plan of $16,142.23, when and if received. The distribution of these retirement benefits was to be effected by a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). The proposed order also recommended \a one-third interest in the funds received by the defendant from the sale of the automobile kits which [Mr. Rock] receives resulting from his sale of Marauder