Case Analysis: Permanent Maintenance Awarded in Cook County Case

Pursuant to a January 19, 2018, order, Cook County Judge Naomi Schuster awarded permanent maintenance to an ex-wife in a post-decree dissolution proceeding involving the review of maintenance. The parties were married in 1990 and divorced in 2014, and the ex-wife was awarded unallocated family support (between $10,000 and $14,000 per month) for approximately 2 1/2 at which time she was allowed to file a petition to review.

At the time of the review, the Court found that the ex-wife could earn approximately $60,000 per year and the ex-husband was earning more than $400,000 per year. The trial commenced in early 2017 and was continued for many days through the first half of 2017. During one of the continuances, the ex-wife developed a progressive and degenerative medical condition that made it uncertain that she would be able to continue working and earning income into the future. The Court also found that during the marriage the parties lived a comfortable lifestyle.

As a result of the facts of the case and a review of the relevant appellate case law, Judge Schuster entered an order awarding the ex-wife permanent maintenance in the amount of $10,000 per month. You may review the Court order here. The case is not over yet, however, as the ex-husband has filed motions relating to the payment of attorneys fees. During this case, the ex-wife's attorney billed fees in excess of $180,000 and the ex-husband's attorney bills more than $85,000 in fees.