In re Marriage of Norton

Case Summary: In re Marriage of Alexsei Norton and Valencia Norton

Case Citation: 2024 IL App (1st) 231923-U

Date of Judgment: December 18, 2024

Court: Appellate Court of Illinois, First Judicial District

Judge: Honorable Julie B. Aimen

Background

Alexsei Norton (Petitioner-Appellant) filed for dissolution of marriage from Valencia Norton (Respondent-Appellee) in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The 2018 dissolution judgment awarded Valencia 50% of the marital portion of Alexsei’s pension. After Alexsei retired and began collecting pension benefits in October 2021, a Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Order (QILDRO) was entered in May 2022 to define Valencia’s right to these benefits.

Dispute Over Retroactive Awards

Valencia sought retroactive payments covering her share of the pension from October 2021 to June 2022 and a lump-sum cost-of-living adjustment payment. The circuit court ruled in April 2023 that Alexsei owed Valencia retroactive payments based on the pension distributions. Alexsei contested this ruling, arguing that taxes were not accounted for and asserting that the retroactive claim was barred by laches.

Court’s Ruling

The appellate court found that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal, determining that the prior circuit court orders had not conclusively determined the amount and timing of payments owed to Valencia. The court noted that ongoing hearings were scheduled to address the unresolved issues, meaning no final judgment had been made for purposes of appeal.

Conclusion

The appeal was dismissing for lack of jurisdiction due to the absence of a final judgment. The court emphasized the necessity for a definitive resolution of all issues to proceed with an appeal.