The applicant sought an uncontested divorce, but the respondent requested an order compelling him to maintain her under his extended health and dental benefits.
The parties had a separation agreement containing a mutual release of spousal support, even in the event of catastrophic health changes.
The court applied the Miglin framework and found that the respondent's subsequent severe health issues (diabetes, heart attack, motor vehicle accident) constituted a significant departure from what was reasonably anticipated.
Balancing the need to address hardship with the goal of finality, the court stayed the divorce application for one year, requiring the applicant to maintain the respondent's health coverage during that time.
