Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. ó Days after breaking the NHL victory record, Devils goalie Martin Brodeur was dealt an alimony setback by a New Jersey appeals court.
The court ruled that Brodeur must pay his former wife $500,000 a year until 2020, the year his youngest child will graduate from high school.
The ruling Thursday came after Brodeur appealed a lower court ruling that awarded Melanie DuBois permanent alimony.
Brodeur had asked that he only be required to pay alimony until he retires, which he estimated to be in 2012. DuBois asked for alimony payments until 2024, when their youngest child is anticipated to graduate from college.
“Here, the parties always agreed that (the) plaintiff would serve as the full-time caretaker of the children,” the court wrote. “In order to do so, she requires financial support and defendant earns sufficient income to effectuate the plan.”
In addition to alimony, DuBois was awarded $132,000 in annual child support and more than $9 million in other assets.
The couple married in August 1995. According to court records, the marriage ended after Brodeur admitted to having an affair with his sister-in-law, who was living with the Brodeurs to help take care of their four children. DuBois filed for divorce in May 2003.
“There is no formula for alimony. This was a situation that dealt with her ability to earn,” said DuBois’ attorney, Beatrice Kandell. “The lifestyle that was created during the marriage made it clear that she needed to be supported until she ceased to be the full-time caretaker of the children.”
On Tuesday night, Brodeur broke Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy’s record with his 552nd NHL victory. Brodeur has led the Devils to three Stanley Cup titles and won the Vezina Trophy four times as the NHL’s top goalie.