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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA

        1.    "In reviewing challenges to findings made by a family law master that also were adopted by a circuit court, a three-pronged standard of review is applied. Under these circumstances, a final equitable distribution order is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard; the underlying factual findings are reviewed under a clearly erroneous standard; and questions of law and statutory interpretations are subject to a de novo review." Syl. pt. 1, Burnside v. Burnside, 194 W.Va. 263, 460 S.E.2d 264 (1995).

        2.    "In cases in which the supporting spouse has an income and earning capacity substantially greater than that which the dependent spouse could realistically achieve under even the best of circumstances, rehabilitative alimony may not be sufficient if the dependent spouse is the primary caretaker of minor children and did not intend to join the work force on a full time basis prior to the dissolution of the marriage." Syl. pt. 6, Wyant v. Wyant, 184 W.Va. 434, 400 S.E.2d 869 (1990).

        3.    "An order directing a division of marital property in any way other than equally must make specific reference to factors enumerated in § 48-2-32(c), and the facts in the record that support application of those factors." Syl. pt. 3, Somerville v. Somerville, 179 W.Va. 386, 369 S.E.2d 459 (1988).

Per Curiam:
        Pamela N. Wooten, appellant/plaintiff (hereinafter "Ms. Wooten") appeals from a final decree entered by the Circuit Court of Wyoming County granting her a divorce from John Raymond Wooten, appellee/defendant (hereinafter "Mr. Wooten"). Ms. Wooten contends that the trial court committed error by (1) awarding her rehabilitative alimony instead of permanent alimony; and (2) in not equitably distributing the funds in her former spouse's retirement plan. After a review of the parties' arguments, the record evidence, and the pertinent authorities, we reverse the Circuit Court of Wyoming County.

I.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
        The parties were married on November 7, 1977. During the marriage two children were born.See footnote 1 1 Mr. Wooten was employed as a coal miner, as well as engaging in part- time self-employment.See footnote 2 2 Ms. Wooten was primarily a homemaker throughout the marriage. On October 11, 1996, Ms. Wooten filed for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. The family law master recommended child support in the amount of $715.00 and rehabilitative alimony in the amount of $650.00 per month  for seven years. Ms. Wooten filed a petition for review with the circuit court objecting to rehabilitative alimony. Ms. Wooten requested permanent alimony, in an amount greater than $650.00. The circuit court adopted the recommendations of the family law master and entered a final divorce decree on December 19, 1997.

        Subsequent to the final decree being entered, Ms. Wooten filed a motion to set aside the divorce decree on the grounds that a marital asset was not disposed of equitably. Ms. Wooten asserted, through excusable neglect and inadvertence, no mention or distribution of Mr. Wooten's retirement plan was made in the family law master's recommendation or the divorce decree. The circuit court denied the motion regarding the alimony award.  Additionally, the circuit court denied Ms. Wooten's request for an equitable distribution of Mr. Wooten's retirement plan.   This appeal followed.

II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
        When a circuit court adopts the family law master's recommendations this Court applies the three-pronged standard of review set forth in syllabus point 1 of Burnside v. Burnside, 194 W.Va. 263, 460 S.E.2d 264 (1995):
            In reviewing challenges to findings made by a family law master that also were adopted by a circuit court, a three-pronged standard of review is applied. Under these circumstances, a final equitable distribution order is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard; the underlying factual findings are reviewed under a clearly erroneous standard; and questions of law and statutory interpretations are subject to a de novo review. Accord Syl. pt. 1, Porter v. Bego, 200 W.Va. 168, 488 S.E.2d 443 (1997).

III.
DISCUSSION
A. Alimony
        Ms. Wooten argues that the circuit court committed error in awarding her rehabilitative alimony instead of permanent alimony. This Court has noted that "[t]he concept of 'rehabilitative alimony' generally connotes an attempt to encourage a dependent spouse to become self-supporting by providing alimony for a limited period of time during which gainful employment can be obtained." Syl. pt. 1, Molnar v. Molnar, 173 W. Va. 200, 314 S.E.2d 73 (1984). We held in syllabus point 3 of Molnar:
            There are three broad inquiries that need to be considered in regard to rehabilitative alimony: (1) whether in view of the length of the marriage and the age, health, and skills of the dependent spouse, it should be granted; (2) if it is feasible, then the amount and duration of rehabilitative alimony must be determined; and (3) consideration should be given to continuing jurisdiction to reconsider the amount and duration of rehabilitative alimony.

        Ms. Wooten contends that rehabilitative alimony is not appropriate in this case because of her age,See footnote 3 3 limited educationSee footnote 4 4 and lack of prior employment skills. Ms. Wooten argues that it is simply not realistic to believe that, by obtaining more education, she could maintain the standard of living to which she was accustomed during the marriage. Also, Ms. Wooten asserts that the amount of rehabilitative alimony is grossly inadequate to pay for a college education and meet her living expenses. In contrast, Mr. Wooten tersely states that rehabilitative alimony was proper and that Ms. Wooten is "a young woman, [and] has been treated fairly by the [c]ourt." This Court disagrees with Mr. Wooten. We noted in syllabus point 6 of Wyant v. Wyant, 184 W.Va. 434, 400 S.E.2d 869 (1990) that:
            In cases in which the supporting spouse has an income and earning capacity substantially greater than that which the dependent spouse could realistically achieve under even the best of circumstances, rehabilitative alimony may not be sufficient if the dependent spouse is the primary caretaker of minor children and did not intend to join the work force on a full time basis prior to the dissolution of the marriage.        

        Rehabilitative alimony is not appropriate in this case because of Ms. Wooten's age, lack of prior marketable work experience, and limited education. "Rehabilitative alimony has been utilized frequently where a younger dependent spouse entered marriage with marketable skills, which then deteriorated through nonuse, or the dependent spouse evidenced a capability for self-support, which could be developed through training or academic study." Molnar, 173 W.Va. at 203, 314 S.E.2d at 76. Mr. Wooten's annual income is $78,018.60. Assuming, arguendo, that Ms. Wooten obtained a higher education, it is not realistic to believe that, at age 50 years Ms. Wooten would be able to find employment in Wyoming County. On remand the circuit court should to determine, based upon Ms. Wooten's proven living expenses and other relevant factors, an appropriate award for permanent alimony.See footnote 5 5

B. Pension Fund
        Ms. Wooten contends that Mr. Wooten's pension plan is a marital asset. During one of the hearings before the family law master, Ms. Wooten testified that she was seeking one-half of the pension. Neither the recommended order of the family law master nor the final decree addressed or discussed the issue of Mr. Wooten's pension. "An order directing a division of marital property in any way other than equally must make specific reference to factors enumerated in § 48-2-32(c), and the facts in the record that support application of those factors." Syl. pt. 3, Somerville v. Somerville, 179 W.Va. 386, 369 S.E.2d 459 (1988). It was not until after the final decree was entered that Ms. Wooten realized that the pension fund was not distributed as marital property. Ms. Wooten filed a timely motion under Rule 60(b) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure seeking relief from the decree on the grounds of excusable neglect and inadvertence as a result of the failure to distribute the pension monies as a marital asset. The circuit court denied the motion and ruled that Ms. Wooten had, in essence, waived her claim to one-half of Mr. Wooten's pension. In so ruling, the circuit court found that the issue of Mr. Wooten's pension was not raised in the petition for review of the family law master's recommendation and that the final decree was actually drafted by counsel for Ms. Wooten.

        Once Ms. Wooten realized the inadequacy of the recommended decision and the final divorce decree, she timely filed her Rule 60(b) motion. The purpose of Rule 60(b) is to correct such mistakes, as the record is clear that Mr. Wooten's pension was indeed a marital asset subject to equitable distribution.

        This Court reviews a trial court's ruling on a motion under Rule 60(b) for abuse of discretion.  The purpose of Rule 60(b) is to correct such mistakes, as the record is clear that Mr. Wooten's pension was indeed a marital asset subject to equitable distribution.  See McDaniel v. Kleiss, 198 W.Va. 282, 290, 480 S.E.2d 170, 178 (1996); Johnson v. Nedeff, 192 W.Va. 260, 266, 452 S.E.2d 63, 69 (1994). Therefore, this Court concludes that the circuit court abused its discretion by failing to grant Ms. Wooten's Rule 60(b) motion. On remand, the court shall equitably divide that portion of Ms. Wooten's pension which accrued during the parties' marriage.

IV.
CONCLUSION

        For the reasons set forth in this opinion, the final divorce decree entered by the Circuit Court of Wyoming County is reversed. This case is remanded for an award of  permanent alimony properly calculated and for the equitable distribution of Mr. Wooten's pension which was acquired during the parties' marriage.

                                    Reversed and Remanded.

Footnote: 1     1 One child is now emancipated.

Footnote: 2     2 At the time of the divorce, Mr. Wooten's gross annual income was $78,018.60.

Footnote: 3     3 Ms. Wooten was forty-nine at the time of the divorce.

Footnote: 4     4 Ms. Wooten has only a high school diploma.