S. Ct. Civ. No. 2012-0085

In proceedings after a decedent died intestate, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court had authority to review orders and opinions of the Family Division elating to its award of extended spousal maintenance and support to the widow, matters that were later subject to a final adjudication by the Magistrate Division. However, the Family Division and the Appellate Division erred under 5 V.I.C. § 353 in requiring the estate to provide spousal support for more than one year after the filing of the inventory. Chapter 21 of title 15 as a whole does not authorize support payments of unlimited duration. The Appellate Division's July 27, 2012 Order as well as the Family Division's October 25, 2007 Order and February 20, 2009 Opinion are reversed, and the Magistrate Division's February 17, 2010 Final Adjudication is vacated. The case is remanded to the Magistrate Division so that it may issue a new adjudication in light of the fact that the widow was only entitled to collect spousal support payments for one year from the filing of the inventory.