Opinion
April 21, 1980
In a matrimonial action, plaintiff appeals from so much of an order of the Supreme Court, Westchester County, dated October 15, 1979, as granted the defendant temporary alimony in the amount of $600 per week retroactive to July 27, 1979, and directed the plaintiff to liquidate the accumulated arrears at the rate of $100 per week until fully paid. Order modified by decreasing the amount awarded as temporary alimony to $400 per week. As so modified, order affirmed insofar as appealed from, without costs or disbursements. Given the wife's substantial resources, the age of the parties, the relative brevity of the marriage and the absence of any children of the union, we believe that the award of temporary alimony was excessive to the extent indicated herein (see Mendelsohn v. Mendelsohn, 36 A.D.2d 952; Weinberg v Weinberg, 23 A.D.2d 569; Walker v. Walker, 18 A.D.2d 684). We wish to note that our modification of the award of temporary alimony is not meant to signal any change in our general policy toward such matters (see, e.g., De Rosa v. De Rosa, 68 A.D.2d 923; Schwartz v. Schwartz, 59 A.D.2d 905; Bogut v. Bogut, 38 A.D.2d 829), but rather, is predicated on the requirements of justice under the unusual facts and circumstances of this case (cf. La Pommeray v. La Pommeray, 56 A.D.2d 838). Our modification of the award of temporary alimony is not intended to influence or otherwise affect the trial court in determining whether or in what amount permanent alimony should be awarded (see Walker v Walker, supra). This matter should proceed to trial without further delay. Rabin, J.P., Gulotta, Cohalan and Margett, JJ., concur.