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<p>In <em>In re Marriage of Mattson</em>, the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed denial of Jeff Mattson’s move to terminate maintenance to ex-wife Christine after their 2016 divorce. He contended Chris...
Full Case Summary
In In re Marriage of Mattson, the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed denial of Jeff Mattson’s move to terminate maintenance to ex-wife Christine after their 2016 divorce. He contended Christine cohabited with a new partner and shirked self-support obligations.
They’d agreed to a marital settlement with maintenance for Christine. The trial court found no proof she lived with her partner on a conjugal basis—no shared finances, residence, or responsibilities. Jeff also tried introducing texts referencing cohabitation, but they were excluded for lack of authentication.
Regarding Christine’s alleged failure to become self-sufficient, the court noted her long workforce absence and child-rearing duties. Jeff showed no major change in his ability to pay or Christine’s reduced needs. The appellate court deferred to the trial court’s credibility findings, ultimately upholding the maintenance arrangement. It underscored each divorce’s unique factors and the reasonableness of the trial court’s conclusions.