A Florida court has reversed parts of a divorce ruling affecting Katherine A. Eichler and Scott J. Singer, ordering a new hearing on income and support. The decision impacts the couple's financial arrangements following their divorce, particularly concerning alimony and child support calculations.

The District Court of Appeal of Florida issued the ruling on June 3, 2020, in case number 2D18-1854. The court's decision came after Eichler challenged the final judgment that dissolved her marriage to Singer. The case highlights the complexities involved in divorce proceedings, especially regarding financial support and the implications of new evidence.

Background

Katherine A. Eichler and Scott J. Singer were married in 2001 and share a minor child. In 2012, Singer filed for divorce, but the case did not progress significantly until 2015 when he submitted an amended dissolution petition. A trial took place in November 2017, during which the court assessed Eichler's financial situation, including her employment status and income.

The trial court found that Eichler was voluntarily underemployed, attributing an annual income of $35,360 to her. Additionally, the court considered financial contributions from her boyfriend and father, totaling $20,800, when calculating her imputed income. Ultimately, the court denied Eichler alimony and calculated child support based on her imputed income. However, after the trial, both her boyfriend and father passed away, prompting Eichler to seek relief from the court.

The Ruling

The court ruled in favor of Eichler regarding her appeals on two key issues. It determined that the trial court had erred in denying her motions for rehearing and relief from judgment. The court emphasized that the deaths of Eichler's boyfriend and father significantly affected her financial situation and warranted a reconsideration of her imputed income.

The court stated, "Given the disappearance of more than $20,000 in imputed income, reopening the evidence would serve the best interests of justice as it would result in recalculations, and an outcome, commensurate with Ms. Eichler's newfound financial position."

Judges LaRose, Kelly, and Salario concurred in this decision, emphasizing the importance of considering new evidence that could materially affect the outcome of the case.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for Eichler, as it allows her to present new evidence regarding her financial situation. The court's decision to reopen the case means that the trial court must reassess her income and potentially adjust alimony and child support payments accordingly. This case also underscores the importance of timely addressing new evidence in family law cases, which can have a substantial impact on financial outcomes.

The ruling sets a precedent for similar cases where new evidence arises after a trial, particularly in divorce proceedings. It reinforces the principle that courts must consider significant changes in circumstances that could affect financial obligations.

What's Next

The case will return to the trial court for a new hearing to reconsider Eichler's financial situation in light of the recent changes. It remains to be seen whether Singer will appeal this ruling or if any related cases will arise from this decision.