The applicant, Dr. Paul Bastedo, brought a motion to change an existing order to terminate spousal support and a related life insurance obligation, citing his retirement as a material change in circumstances.
The respondent, Ms. Maxine Bastedo, opposed the motion, seeking indefinite spousal support.
The court found that Dr. Bastedo's retirement and the corresponding loss of income constituted a material change not contemplated in the original 1996 order.
Considering the parties' current financial positions, including Ms. Bastedo's substantial pension and assets, and the fact that Dr. Bastedo had paid support for 25 years (8 years beyond the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines' maximum duration for a 17-year marriage), the court determined that Ms. Bastedo no longer required ongoing spousal support to meet her financial needs.
The motion to terminate spousal support was granted, with an additional three months of payments ordered due to insufficient notice of retirement.