The Florida District Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling against Robert B. Finch, requiring him to pay significant financial sanctions for failing to meet his alimony and loan obligations to his former wife, Terri Cribbs. The court's decision, issued on June 22, 2021, confirms the lower court's findings that Finch willfully disobeyed court orders and failed to provide necessary financial documents. This ruling not only affects Finch's financial responsibilities but also sets a precedent for the enforcement of alimony and discovery compliance in divorce cases.
The case, identified by docket number 1D18-3855, revolves around the ongoing financial disputes between Finch and Cribbs following their divorce in 2014. The court's affirmation of the contempt ruling emphasizes the importance of adhering to court-ordered financial obligations and the consequences of failing to comply.
Background
Robert B. Finch and Terri Cribbs were married until their divorce in March 2014, which was finalized through a consent judgment that mandated Finch to pay Cribbs $2,600 per month in permanent alimony and an additional $1,031.63 monthly to repay a personal loan. However, by May 2016, Cribbs filed a motion to hold Finch in contempt, claiming he had not made the required payments.
In an effort to resolve the issue, Finch and Cribbs entered into a second consent order, which included a lump-sum payment of $5,000 and a revised repayment plan for his arrears. Despite this agreement, Cribbs later filed another contempt motion, citing continued non-payment and requesting financial discovery from Finch. Over the next year, Finch failed to provide the necessary financial documents, leading to his arrears accumulating to over $100,000.
The Ruling
The court ruled in favor of Cribbs, affirming the lower court's findings that Finch had willfully failed to meet his financial obligations. The judges noted that the evidence presented showed Finch had significant income and assets derived from his business, contradicting his claims of financial hardship. The court stated, "Robert had no intention of ever abiding by the repayment schedule to which he expressly agreed."
Furthermore, the court found that Finch's testimony regarding his financial situation was not credible, as he had substantial cash on hand during the hearing and had transferred large sums from his business to his personal account. The court ordered Finch to pay $29,289.87 in attorney’s fees as a sanction for his non-compliance with discovery requests and for his contemptuous behavior. Additionally, the court imposed a further contempt sanction of $14,500 for failing to comply with previous orders.
Impact
This ruling reinforces the legal principle that individuals must comply with court orders regarding financial obligations in divorce proceedings. The court's decision highlights the judiciary's commitment to ensuring that financial responsibilities are taken seriously and that individuals cannot evade their obligations through non-compliance or lack of transparency regarding their financial situations.
The ruling may also serve as a warning to others in similar situations that failure to adhere to court orders can result in significant financial penalties and sanctions, including potential jail time. It underscores the importance of honesty and cooperation in financial disclosures during divorce proceedings, as the court can and will impose sanctions for non-compliance.
What's Next
Finch has the option to appeal the ruling, but further details regarding any potential appeals or related cases were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may influence future decisions regarding the enforcement of alimony and discovery compliance in Florida family law cases.