Patterson v. Patterson

In Patterson v. Patterson, 102 Ariz. 410, 432 P.2d 143 (1967) the husband was an experienced physician and surgeon and he and his family were accustomed to a high standard of living. 102 Ariz. at 415, 432 P.2d at 148. The husband's income decreased several years before his death and his estate argued that the maintenance award based on a higher prior income was excessive. The trial court denied any relief. The Arizona Supreme Court affirmed and held that when "no showing was made that husband lacked the ability or capacity to work, his obligation to his wife and children cannot be diminished because he preferred to be idle rather than industrious or because of his own improprieties he caused a diminution in his medical practice income." Id.