delivered the opinion of the court:
The respondent, Anthony Orlando (Anthony), appeals from portions of a judgment for dissolution of his marriage to petitioner, Marjorie Orlando (Marjorie). Anthony contends that the circuit court erred in (1) classifying certain assets (i.e., a certificate of deposit and stock) as Marjorie’s nonmarital property; (2) allocating two-thirds (66.7%) of the marital property to Marjorie and one-third (33.3%) to Anthony; (3) ordering Anthony to pay $242 per month for spousal support and maintenance; (4) requiring Anthony to pay Marjorie’s attorney fees; and (5) supplementing its judgment after 30 days. In addition, Marjorie submits that this court should reconsider our denial of her motion to dismiss this appeal.
For the reasons which follow, we reverse the circuit court’s decision regarding the classification of a certificate of deposit and stock and find that these assets are marital property. We affirm the circuit court’s judgments on all of the other issues raised. We also find that this court has jurisdiction to hear this appeal and decline to reconsider our previous denial of Marjorie’s motion to dismiss the appeal.
Anthony and Marjorie were married in 1947, separated in 1985, and divorced in 1989. Two sons, Douglas and Christopher, were born during their marriage. At the time of their divorce, Anthony was 61 years old, Marjorie was 60 years old, Douglas was 32 years old and emancipated, and Christopher was 16 years old.
Marjorie testified that after high school she worked for three months as a secretary and then married Anthony. Marjorie worked either full time or part time until the birth of her younger son, Christopher, in 1972. Marjorie did not have outside employment from 1972 through 1984. During the last three years, 1986-1989, Marjorie was fired from 8 to 12 jobs. Her highest gross annual income was $10,000.
Marjorie further testified that since 1985 she has been receiving medical treatment for back problems which limit her ability to sit for more than 20 hours a week at a job. At times she wears a steel brace to relieve the back pain. Additionally, in December 1988 Marjorie was diagnosed with diverticulitis which was controlled, but not cured, by antibiotics and thus remains an ongoing concern.
Since 1987 Marjorie has been receiving treatment from a psychologist, Dr. Donald Gorsline, who testified as to Marjorie’s mental condition and diagnosed Marjorie as having a borderline personality disorder. Over the years, Dr. Gorsline has increased his time spent with Marjorie from once a week to twice a week and then three times per week. Dr. Gorsline testified that Marjorie’s mental disorder is affecting her ability to find or keep a job but opined that she could function fairly normally within two to three years. Dr. Gorsline recommended part-time employment of no more than four hours a day for Marjorie at this time.
Anthony testified that he has a college degree in accounting and has been doing accounting work for 30 years. For the last 10 years Anthony has been employed by Commons-Allison Incorporated as the director of corporate taxes and earns a gross annual salary of $44,000. In addition Anthony receives a bonus calculated on the company’s profits. He received $1,000 as a bonus for the years of 1987 and 1988 but received no bonus for the previous eight years. Anthony also supplements his income by preparing tax returns for outside clients and friends.
The following list represents the assets of Anthony and Marjorie as determined by the circuit court:
Marital Property
Family Home (equity) $210,000.00
1988 Buick (equity) 3,500.00
1982 Reliant car and 1976 car (no equity)
IRA 2,000.00
401-K 6,225.02
TOTAL 221,725.02
Marjorie’s Nonmarital Property
Keystone stock 4,678.92
Certificate of Deposit 18,000.00
TOTAL 22,678.92
The Keystone stock was inherited by Marjorie from her father, and the stock was subsequently put into joint tenancy with Anthony. In 1972, Marjorie’s father died and the Keystone stock was divided three ways: one-third to Agnes Miller (Marjorie’s mother), one-third to Marjorie’s sister (Marilyn), and one-third to Marjorie. In 1978, Agnes Miller transferred her one-third stock share equally to Marjorie and Marilyn. Marjorie testified that she first saw the stock certificates in joint name with Anthony in 1979, a fight ensued with Anthony, and she executed the necessary paperwork out of fear of her husband. Anthony testified that Marjorie voluntarily transferred the stock into joint tenancy to avoid any probate problems if Marjorie should die. The stock at issue today is the same stock which Marjorie received from her father in 1972 and it has remained in joint tenancy since 1978 or 1979.
Marjorie’s mother, Agnes Miller, had a $30,000 certificate of deposit which was to pass to Marjorie when Agnes died. However, in 1974, Agnes, while still alive, gave $15,000 from the certificate of deposit to Marjorie which was used by Marjorie toward the purchase of her previous marital home with Anthony. In 1981, when Agnes died the remaining $15,000 certificate of deposit passed to Marjorie. Anthony testified that he put the $15,000 in joint accounts. Neither Anthony nor Marjorie made any subsequent contributions to the certificate of deposit but the interest on the certificate of deposit was put into a marital account for expenses before their separation. After their separation, Marjorie transferred the certificate of deposit into Christopher’s name alone to prevent Anthony from accessing those funds. Marjorie currently uses some of the interest for living expenses.
The trial court found that Anthony’s net monthly income is $2,487. His monthly required payments amount to $1,511 for the following obligations: mortgage ($685); child support ($486); Marjorie’s health insurance ($98) and maintenance ($242). Anthony testified that he lives with his older brother in an apartment and voluntarily pays virtually all of their expenses.
On October 10, 1989, the circuit court entered the judgment for dissolution of marriage. Marjorie was granted custody of Christopher, and they were given the right to remain in the marital home until Christopher graduated from high school. Three months after Christopher’s graduation from high school (i.e., September 1991), the marital home is to be sold and the net proceeds are to be divided 66.7% to Maxjorie and 33.3% to Anthony.
The judgment for dissolution of marriage also provided, in relevant part, that: (1) the marital property would be divided two-thirds (66.7%) to Maijorie and one-third (33.3%) to Anthony; (2) Anthony would pay to Marjorie $242 per month for spousal support and maintenance until December 15, 1991; and (3) the stock and certificate of deposit received from Marjorie’s parents were nonmarital assets.
Marjorie also filed a petition for attorney fees. Following a December 29, 1989, hearing on her petition, the circuit court ordered Anthony to pay $6,031 to her attorneys.
Initially we address Marjorie’s contention that this court should reconsider its October 24, 1990, order denying her motion to dismiss this appeal on the grounds that this court did not have the record or her reply to Anthony’s objection to her motion when we ruled. We find Marjorie’s arguments unpersuasive and decline to reconsider our denial of her motion to dismiss.
Anthony first asserts that the circuit court erred in classifying the certificate of deposit and the Keystone stock as nonmarital property. We agree.
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (Act) creates the presumption that all property acquired diming marriage is marital property, including nonmarital property transferred into some form of co-ownership between the spouses. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, eh. 40, par. 503(b).) Property acquired by gift, legacy or descent is excepted from marital property and is classified as nonmarital property. Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 40, par. 503(a)(1).
The placing of title to nonmarital property in joint tenancy with a spouse raises a presumption that a gift was made to the marital estate and the property becomes marital property. (In re Marriage of Rink (1985),
Cases which have found that the evidence was sufficient to rebut the presumption of gift are distinguishable from the present case. Where the wife’s nonmarital funds were acquired by inheritance but were not deposited into a joint bank account or applied toward the purchase of a jointly owned home, the court held that the wife presented sufficient evidence to overcome any presumption of gift to the marriage. (In re Marriage of Simmons (1981),
Marjorie primarily relies on In re Marriage of Wojcicki (1982),
The Wojcicki case involved a second marriage for both parties and each spouse entered into the marriage with substantial property. This second marriage lasted about four years. The dispute concerned real property which had been acquired by the husband many years before his second marriage. The husband purchased a Schaumburg residence 15 years before his second marriage and held his Wisconsin property 21 years before his second marriage. The husband, who had emigrated from Poland and had a limited education, encountered difficulties in clearing title in these properties after the death of his first wife. Accordingly, the husband testified that he transferred the property into joint tenancy with his second wife to avoid similar difficulties in the event of his or his second wife’s death. However, the wife contended that the husband intended to convey a present interest in the properties to her. The Wojcicki court considered numerous factors to be significant including the intent of the parties; payment of the purchase price, taxes and mortgage; making improvements on the property; occupancy of the premises; and the exercise of control and management of the property.
In light of the statutorily created presumption of gift regarding all property acquired during marriage and nonmarital property transferred into co-ownership with a spouse, the presumed intent of a gift as to property placed in joint tenancy with a spouse, and the high standard of proof required to rebut the presumption of gift, we find that the stock and certificate of deposit in this case should be classified as marital property. The marital property presumption was formed when Marjorie’s inherited assets were transferred into joint tenancy with Anthony, and the evidence does not support the trial court’s finding that these assets retained their character as Marjorie’s nonmarital property.
Since the record contains sufficient facts to enable us to order a redistribution, we do not need to remand the matter to the trial court to reexamine its distribution. (In re Marriage of Madoch (1991),
Second, Anthony contends that the trial court abused its discretion by dividing the marital property with two-thirds (66.7%) to Marjorie and one-third (33.3%) to Anthony. We disagree.
On appeal, a property division can be disturbed only upon a showing of an abuse of discretion. (In re Marriage of Partyka (1987),
Section 503(d) of the Act directs the court to divide the marital property in “just proportions” and to consider all relevant factors including the value of the property set apart to each spouse, the duration of the marriage, the economic circumstances of each spouse upon the division of the property, the reasonable opportunity of each spouse for future acquisition of capital assets and income, and each spouse’s age, health, employability and sources of income. Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 40, par. 503(d).
Courts have repeatedly and consistently held that the “just proportions” requirement does not mandate an equal division of marital property but an equitable division. (Jones,
The record reveals that under the facts of this case the trial court properly considered the relevant statutory factors, and we find no abuse of discretion. Similar cases have reached the same result. In re Marriage of Gentry (1989),
A nearly equal apportionment of marital assets, i.e., approximately 50% to each spouse, was reversed and remanded for reconsideration of the property distribution award because the court concluded that the wife had not received an equitable share of the assets. (In re Marriage of Campise (1983),
The Orlandos’ marriage lasted for 42 years, and each spouse is now over 60 years old. While Anthony worked throughout the marriage, Marjorie was unemployed for 12 years. Anthony is currently employed while Marjorie has been discharged from about 12 jobs in the last three years. Anthony’s current annual salary is $44,000, and the highest gross annual income Marjorie ever earned was $10,000. Anthony acquired a college degree in accounting, and Marjorie has a high school education. Anthony testified that he is in good health. In contrast, Marjorie suffers from physical as well as emotional problems. Given the facts of this case, we believe that the trial court rendered an equitable and conscientious decision in apportioning the marital property between the spouses.
Third, Anthony asserts that payment of spousal support and maintenance in the amount of $242 per month is unreasonable when considered in the context of his total financial situation. Anthony acknowledges that the maintenance and child support awards by themselves are not excessive. We find that the maintenance award in this case is proper.
Like a property division, an award of maintenance is within the discretion of the trial court, and it will not be disturbed by a reviewing court unless there is an abuse of discretion or a determination that the award is against the manifest weight of the evidence. (Jones,
Section 504 of the Act governs the granting of a maintenance award. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 40, pars. 504(a), (b).) To award maintenance the court must find that the spouse seeking maintenance lacks sufficient property to provide for his reasonable needs, is unable to support himself through appropriate employment, or is otherwise without sufficient income. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 40, par. 504(a).) Maintenance may be awarded in any amount and for any time period which the court deems just after considering all relevant factors including, inter alia, the financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, his ability to meet his needs independently, the duration of the marriage, the age and the physical and emotional condition of both parties, and the ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet his needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance. Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 40, par. 504(b).
Maintenance may be appropriate where a spouse has little prospect of earning sufficient income to meet her needs, even if she is employed. (Kristie,
Courts have found that time-limited maintenance is appropriate where the evidence indicates future employability, encourages a spouse to become self-sufficient, and affords the court an opportunity to review the award at the end of a fixed period. Jones,
In the present case, the judgment of dissolution provides that Anthony will make monthly maintenance payments in the amount of $242, which constitutes less than 10% of his monthly net income ($2,487), and that the maintenance provisions will be reviewed on December 15, 1991. Clearly the time-limited maintenance award is scheduled for review following the high school graduation of their son Christopher, the sale of the marital home, which is set for September 1991, and Marjorie’s anticipated further recovery from psychological disorders which impede her ability to enter the job market and to be self-sufficient. The record reveals that the trial judge considered the statutory criteria regarding an award of maintenance and acknowledged that the interim arrangement would be a “stiff bill” for Anthony but that his problems are short term. We find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in awarding two-year maintenance payments to Marjorie.
Fourth, Anthony contends that the trial court erred in ordering him to pay Marjorie’s attorney fees on the grounds that the fees were not proven by sufficient evidence and Marjorie has a greater ability than he to pay the fees. There is no dispute regarding the reasonableness of the hourly rates charged.
Generally, each party has the primary obligation to pay his own attorney fees but the court has discretion to award fees. (Pahlke,
Anthony primarily relies on Kaiser v. MEPC American Properties, Inc. (1987),
In addition to adequately detailed records, a court may rely on its own knowledge and experience in determining the value of legal services and the amount of a fee to be awarded. In re Marriage of Angiuli (1985),
Following a hearing on the petition for fees, the trial court expressly found that the amount of time expended was reasonable and sufficiently limited to allow a finding on the information provided. The trial court then entered judgment for $6,031, which represented approximately 87% of the fees requested ($6,937.35).
We believe that the record, including a summary of the fees and the attorney’s testimony at the hearing on the petition for fees, reveals that sufficient evidence was provided to substantiate the trial court’s finding as to the amount of attorney fees awarded.
Where one spouse is in a superior position to acquire income and additional capital assets, a fee award does not constitute an abuse of discretion. (McNeeley,
Similarly, a husband can be responsible for the full amount of a wife’s attorney fees where she would have to deplete part of her principal if she were required to pay attorney fees. (In re Marriage of Kasper (1990),
In light of the parties’ economic circumstances, we find that the trial court’s decision to have Anthony pay Marjorie’s attorney fees was reasonable and not an abuse of discretion.
Fifth, Anthony maintains that the trial court erred in entering an order on January 10, 1990, which clarified a provision of the judgment of dissolution entered on October 10, 1989. Anthony submits that the trial court lost jurisdiction 30 days after the entry of the October 1989 order and Marjorie’s motion should have conformed to the requirements of section 2 — 1401 of the Code of Civil Procedure (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 110, par. 2 — 1401).
A court has inherent authority over the enforcement of its judgments. (Adam Martin Construction Co. v. Brandon Partnership (1985),
The judgment of dissolution specifically ordered Anthony to pay Marjorie’s “outstanding medical bills as of the entry of Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage [October 10, 1989], which are approximately $2,300.00.” At the December 28, 1989, hearing on Marjorie’s fee petition, the trial court observed that no time period had been set for the payment of the $2,300 for outstanding medical bills. Thereafter Marjorie filed a motion with the trial court to set a specific date for payment by Anthony. When the proceedings reconvened on January 10, 1990, the trial court addressed Anthony’s nonpayment of the $2,300 in medical expenses and ordered that this sum be paid out of Anthony’s share of the proceeds from the future sale of the marital home.
We find that Anthony’s obligation to pay the $2,300 was clearly delineated in the judgment of dissolution, and the trial court had the power to compel Anthony to comply with the judgment.
Judgment affirmed in part; reversed in part and remanded with directions.
