In th e S u p re m e Co u rt o f Ge o rg ia

De c id e d : Ma rc h 1 6

, 2 0 15

S 1 4 A1 6 6 9 . NEAL v . HIBBARD.

S 1 4A1 6 7 3 . NEAL v . NEAL.

HINES , P re sid in g Ju stic e

.

In th e se two c a se s, Jo se p h R. Ne a l, Jr. (“ Ne a l” ) a p p e a ls th e tria l c o u rt’s

o r d e r s m o d ify in g c h ild c u sto d y a n d c h ild su pp ort a s th e y p e rta in to h is t w o

c h ild re n b y two d iffe re n t m a rria g e s. F o r th e r e a s o n s th a t fo llo w , a s to b o th

c a se s, we a ffirm in p a rt, re v e rse in p a rt, a n d re m a n d fo r p ro c e e d in g s c o n siste n t

with th is o p in io n

.

Ne a l a n d Ally so n C

. Hib b a rd (“ Hib b a rd ” ) we re d iv o rc e d o n Ja nu a ry 2 8

,

2 0 0 0. Th e y h a d o n e c h ild to g e th e r, a so n wh o wa s fif t e e n a t th e tim e o f th e

b e n c h tria l in th e in sta n t a c tio n ; u n d e r th e 2 0 0 0 fin a l ju d g me n t a n d d e c re e o f

d iv o rc e , th e p a rtie s h a d jo in t le g a l a n d p h y sic a l c u sto d y o f th e ir so n , wh o sp e n t

h a lf o f h is tim e w ith e a c h p a re n t. In th e d iv o rc e de c re e , Ne a l wa s ord e re d to p a y

c h ild su p p o rt to H ib ba rd in th e a m o u nt o f $ 6 6 0 .0 0 p e r m o n th

, a s we ll a s c e rta in

e x p e n se s o f th e c h ild

.Ne a l a n d Je n n ife r S. Ne a l (“ Je n n ife r” ), Ne a l’s se c o nd wife

, we re d iv o rc e d

in O c to b e r, 20 0 6

, re m a rrie d in 2 0 0 9

, a n d d iv o rc e d a g a in o n Ju ly 2 2

, 20 1 0

. Th e y

h a d o n e c h ild to g e th e r, a d a u g h te r wh o w a s se ve n a t th e tim e o f th e b e n c h tria l

in th e in sta n t a c tio n ; un d e r th e 2 0 1 0 fin a l ju d g m e n t a n d d e c re e o f d iv o rc e , th e

p a rtie s h a d jo in t le g a l a n d p h y sic a l c u sto d y o f th e c h ild , an d a g a in

, th e c h ild ’s

tim e w a s sp li t e q u a l l y b e twe e n th e two p a re n ts, a nd Ne a l wa s o rd e re d to p a y

Je n n ife r $ 1 ,0 0 0 .0 0 p e r m o n th in c h ild su p p ort, a s we ll a s c e rta in e x pe n se s o f th e

c h ild

.

O n De c e m

b e r 1 6

, 2 0 1 1

, a se xu a l in c id e n t o c c u rre d in v o lv in g Ne a l, h i s

th e n -wife

, 1 a n d th e ir e ig h te e n -y e a r-o ld b a b y sitte r. A s a re su lt of th e in c i d e n t,

Ne a l wa s c h a

rg e d with ra

p e a n d oth e r c rim e s; th e ra p e c h a rg e wa s d ism isse d in

2 0 1 2, a lth o u g h Ne a l wa s se n te n c e d fo r p o sse ssio n o f m a riju a na a n d fu rn ish in g

a lc o h o l to a n un d e ra g e p e rso n

. Ne a l wa s a p e rso n a l in ju ry a tto rn e y in Au g u sta ;

h is c r i m i n a l p r o s e c u t i o n r e c e i v e d e x t e n s i v e n e ga tiv e m e d ia c o v e ra g e ; h is in c om e

wa s n e g a tiv e ly im

p a c te d ; a n d h e w a s s u s p e n d e d fro m th e p ra c tic e o f la w in

S o u th C a ro lin a a n d th e Un ite d S ta te s Distric t Co u rt fo r th e S o u th e rn Distric t o f

Ge o rg ia . Ne a l th e n m o v e d to Atla n ta in a n e ffo rt to re sto re h is p ra c tic e

.

1 Neal and this wife are now divorced and she is not a party to this action.

2Bo th H ib ba rd a n d Je nn ife r so u g h t m o d ific a tio n o f th e ir d iv o rc e d e c re e s

a s to c h ild c usto d y a nd su p p o rt, a n d th e c a se s we re h e a rd to g e th e r. As to Ne a l’s

so n with Hib b a rd

, o n S e pte m b e r 1 0

, 2 0 1 3

, th e tria l c ou rt e nte re d its fin a l o rd e r

m o d ify in g c u sto d y , g iv in g th e pa rtie s jo in t le ga l c u sto d y of th e c h ild

, w i t h

Hib ba rd b e in g th e p rim a ry p h y sic a l c u sto d ia n , a nd Ne a l’s v isita tio n ta k in g p la c e

in Au gu sta

. On th e issu e of su p p o rt, on S e p te m b e r 2 6

, 2 0 1 3

, th e tria l c o urt

e n te re d a te m

p o ra ry ord e r u n d e r wh ic h Ne a l w a s to p a y $2 ,0 0 0 .0 0 pe r m o n th ;

o n No v e m

b e r 2 3 , 2 0 1 3

, th e tria l c o u rt a wa rd e d Hib b ard $ 1 ,7 7 4.0 0 p e r m o n th

in its fin a l ju d g m e nt m od ify in g c h ild su p po rt. Ne a l a p p e a ls fro m th e se o rd e rs

in c a se n u m

b e r S 1 4 A 1 6 6 9

.

As to Ne a l ’ s ch i ld w ith Je nn ife r, o n Se p te m b e r 1 0

, 2 0 1 3, th e tria l c o urt

e n te re d its fin a l o rd e r m o d ify in g c u sto d y , g iv in g th e p a rtie s jo in t le ga l c u sto d y

o f th e c h ild

, w ith Je n n ife r b e in g th e p rim a ry p h y sic a l c usto d ia n , a n d N e a l’s

v isita tio n ta k in g p la c e in Au g u sta

. In a S e p te m b e r 2 6, 2 0 1 3

, te m

po ra ry c h ild

su p p o rt o rd e r, Ne a l w a s d ire c te d to p a y $ 2 ,0 0 0 .0 0 p e r m o n th

. On No v e m b e r 1 4

,

2 0 1 3, th e tria l c o u rt a wa rd e d Je n n ife r $ 1 ,8 5 7

. 0 0 p e r m on th in its fin a l ju d g m e n t

m o d ify in g c h ild su p p o rt, a n d in th e s a me o r d e r , a wa rd e d h e r $5

, 3 3 4 .0 0 in

a rre a rs fo r u np a id c h ild s u p p o rt; in a su b se q u e n t ord e r, th e c o u rt a wa rd e d

3Je n n ife r $ 15 ,6 1 7 .3 4 in a tto rn e y fe e s a n d litig a tio n e x pe n se s. Ne a l a p p e a ls fro m

th e se o rd e rs in c a se n u m

b e r S 1 4 A1 6 7 3

.

Ca se No . S 1 4

A1 6 6 9

.

1

. Ne a l c o n te n d s th a t th e tria l c o u rt e rre d in m o d ify in g c u sto d y o f h is so n

.

In d e te rm i n in g wh e th e r o r n o t a m a te ria l c ha n g e in c irc um sta n c e s

s u bsta n tia lly a ffe c tin g th e we lfa re o f a c h ild o r c h ild re n h a s t a k e n

p la c e, t h e tria l ju d g e is v e ste d w ith a d isc re tio n wh ic h will n o t b e

c o n tro lle d b y th is c o u rt u n le ss it is a b u se d

. . . . [T] h is c o u rt w ill n o t
in te rfe re with [th e tria l ju d g e ’s] fin d in g wh e n th e re is a ny e v id e n c e

to su p p o rt it. [Cit.]

Ho rn v . S h e p he rd , 2 9 2 Ga . 1 4 , 1 8 (5 ) (7 3 2 S E2 d 4 2 8 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

No n e th e le ss, Ne a l a sse rts th a t h is se x ua l b e ha v io r wa s th e o n ly b a sis fo r

th e tria l c ou rt’s d e c isio n , a n d th a t, a s su c h o c c u rre d with o u t a n y c h ild b e in g

p re se nt in th e h o m e a t th e ti me , h i s b e ha v io r sh ou ld n o t be c o n sid e re d in

d e te rm in in g wh e th e r a m a te ria l c h a n g e in c irc um sta n c e s o c c u rre d

. As th is C o u rt

h a s p re v io u sly n o te d

,

[t] h e b e st in te r e s t s o f th e c hild a re c o n tro llin g a s to c u sto d y

c h a n g e s. OCGA § 1 9 -9 -3 (a ) (2 ); Pa rr v

. Pa rr , 1 9 6 Ga

. 80 5 (2 7

S E2 d 6 8 7) (1 9 4 3). Wh e th e r p a rtic u la r c irc u m sta n c e s w a rra n t a

c h a n g e in c u sto d y is a f

a c t q u e stio n d e te rm in e d u n d e r th e u n iq u e

4situ a tio n in e a c h i n d i v i d u a l c a se

. W ilso n v

. W

ilso n , 24 1 Ga

. 3 0 5 ( 2 4 5 S E 2 d 2 7 9 ) (1 9 7 8 ). In c o n te m p la tin g a c u sto d ia l c ha n g e , th e tria l c o u rt m

u st e x e rc i s e i ts d isc re tio n to d e te rm in e wh e th e r a

c h a n g e is i n t h e b e st in te re sts o f th e c h ild

. OCGA § 1 9-9 -3

. Th e

c irc u m sta n c e s wa rra n tin g a c h a n g e i n c u sto d y a re n o t c o n fin e d to
th o se o f th e c u sto d ia l p a re n t: a n y n e w a n d m a te ria l c h a n ge in

c i rc u m sta n c e s th a t a ffe c ts th e c h ild m u st a lso b e c on sid e re d

. Ha n d le y v

. Ha n d le

y , 20 4 Ga

. 5 7

, 5 9 (4 8 S E2 d 8 2 7 ) (1 9 4 8 ). T h e la w th u s re c o g n iz e s th a t b e c a

u se c h ild re n a re n o t im m

u ta b le o b je c ts b u t
liv in g b e in g s wh o m a tu re a n d d e v e lo p in u n fo re se e a b le d ire c tio n s, th e in itia l a wa rd o f c u sto d y m a y no t a lwa y s re m a in th e se le c tio n th a t p ro m o te s th e b e st in te re sts o f th e c h ild

.

S c o tt v

. S c o tt

, 2 76 Ga

. 3 7 2

, 37 3 (5 78 S E2 d 8 7 6 ) (2 0 0 3 ). In d e te rm in in g th e b e st

in te re sts o f th e c h ild

, a c o urt m a y c on sid e r th e c o nd u c t o f th e p a re n ts. Pa te l v

.

Pa te l

, 2 7 6 Ga

. 2 6 6

, 2 6 7 -2 6 9 (1 ) (5 7 7 S E 2 d 58 7) (2 0 0 3 ); Mo c k v

. Mo c k

, 2 5 8 Ga

.

4 0 7 (3 69 S E2 d 2 55 ) (1 98 8). As th e tria l c o u rt n o te d

, th e re wa s e v id e n c e o f th e

n o to rie ty p ro d u c e d b y Ne a l’s c o n d u c t, a n d th e e ffe c ts th e re of, in c lu d in g Ne a l’s

m o v e fro m Au g u sta to Atla n ta

. Th e c o u rt h e ard e v id e n c e re g a rd in g th e lo g istic s

o f v isita tio n , a n d a re lo c a tio n o f a p a re n t is a fa c to r th a t th e tria l c ou rt c a n

c o n sid e r in de te rm in in g th e b e st in te re sts o f th e c h ild

. S e e Sa lmo n-Da v is v

.

Da v is

, 2 8 6 G a

. 4 5 6

, 4 5 7 -4 58 (1 ) ( 6 8 9 S E2 d 3 0 3 ) (2 0 1 0 ). N e a l fa ils to sh o w

e rro r o n th is g ro u n d

. Ho rn , su p ra

.

2

. N e a l u rg e s th a t a n y m o d ific a tio n o f c h ild su p p ort to Hib b a rd is

5u n wa rra n te d

, c o n te n d in g th a t Hib b a rd ne v e r re q u e ste d a m o d ific a tio n o f

su p p o rt, b u t su c h a re q u e st is i n h e r o r ig in a l c o m p la in t, a n d a m o d ific a tio n o f

su p p o rt is ju stifie d

, g iv e n th e c h a n g e i n c u sto d y

. S e e S to dd ard v

. M e y e r , 2 9 1

Ga . 7 39 (7 3 2 S E 2 d 43 9 ) (2 0 12 ). F u rth e r, H ib ba rd ’s a b se nc e fro m th e se c o n d

c o n so lid a te d he a rin g o n c u sto d y a n d c h ild su p po rt d id n ot wa iv e h e r rig h t to

re c e iv e fro m Ne a l, fo r th e b e n e fit o f th e c hild

, fin a n c ia l su pp ort th a t re fle c ts th e

c h a n g e in c u sto d y ; N e a l c ite s S y k e s v

. S ta te

, 2 36 Ga

. Ap p

. 5 1 8 (5 11 S E2 d 5 6 6 )

(1 9 9 9 ), bu t it is sim

p ly in a pp o site

. Th a t c a se d e a lt with a c rim in a l p ro se c u tio n

in wh ic h th e de fe n d a n t m a d e a sp e e d y tria l d e m a n d u n d e r O CGA § 17 -7 -1 7 0

(a ), a n d th e tria l c ou rt fo u nd th a t, b y h is a c tio ns, th e d e fe n d a n t h a d wa iv e d h is

sta tu to ry rig h t to a

sp e e d y tria l.

3

. Th e tria l c o u rt e n te re d a te m p o ra ry o rd e r o f c h ild su p p o rt o n S e p te m b e r

2 6

, 2 0 1 3

, se ttin g su pp o rt fo r N e a l’s so n a t $ 2,0 0 0 .0 0 p e r m o n th

. Ne a l n o te s th a t

th e tria l c o u rt d id n o t a

pp e nd a c h ild s u p p o rt c a lc u la tio n wo rk sh e e t to th e

te m p o ra ry o rd e r, b u t n on e is re q u ire d . Ra th e r,

[ t ] he c h ild su p p o rt w o rk sh e e t a n d

, if th e re a re a n y d e via t i o n s , S c h e d u le E sh a ll b e a tta c h e d to th e f i na l c o urt ord e r o r ju d g m e n t;

p ro v id e d

, h o we v e r, th a t a n y o rd e r e n te re d p ursu a n t to Co d e S e c tio n

61 9 -1 3 -4 2 sh a ll n o t b e re q u ire d to h a v e su c h wo rk sh e e t a n d sc h e d u le

a tta c h e d th e re to

.

OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (m ) (Em p h a sis su p p lie d

. ) No n e th e le ss, “ [t] h e c h ild su p p ort

g u id e lin e s c o n ta in e d in [OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 ] a re a m in im u m b a sis fo r d e te rm in in g

th e a m o u n t o f c hild su p po rt a n d sh a ll a p p ly a s a re b u ttab le p re su m p tio n in a ll

l e g a l p r o c e e d in g s in v o lv in g th e c hild su p po rt re sp o n sib ility o f a p a re n t.” OCGA

§ 19 -6 -1 5 (c ) (1 ). H o w e v e r, th e re is n o in d ic a tio n th a t th e tria l c o u rt u se d th e

g u id e lin e s in d e te rm in in g th e a m o u n t o f c h ild su p p o rt in its te m p o ra ry o r d e r;

in d e e d

, th e o rd e r sh o ws o n its fa c e th a t th e g u id e lin e s we re no t u se d

, sta tin g th a t

“ [a ] fte r c a re fu l re v ie w o f th e e v id e n c e , th e c o u rt is u n a ble to c a lc u la te v a rio u s

ite m s re la tin g to c h ild su p p o rt a n d a rre a rs; th e re fo re , th e c o u r t will re h e a r a ll

m a tte rs re la te d to c h ild su pp ort a n d a rre a rs.” Th e o rd e r th e n sim p ly im p o se s a

c h ild su pp o rt o b lig a tio n of $ 2 ,0 0 0 .0 0 a m o n th

. Bu t, “ [i] f m od ific a tio n wa s

a p p ro p ria te

, th e n th e c o u rt wa s re q u ire d to u se th e c hild su pp ort g uid e lin e s to

c a lc u la te th e n e w a m o u nt.” W e th e rin g to n v

. W

e th e rin g to n , 29 1 Ga

. 72 2

, 7 2 6 (2 )

(a ) (7 3 2 S E2 d 4 3 3 ) (2 0 1 2 ). Th e fa c t th a t th e te m p o ra ry o rd e r wa s su pe rse d e d

b y th e fin a l ju d g m e nt fo r c h ild su pp ort d o e s n o t re n de r it m o o t; th e o b lig a tio n

2 The temporary

order at issue was not entered under OCGA § 19-13-4, which provides for certain other procedures in cases of family violence.

7th e re u n d e r w a s im pro p e rly im

p o se d

, a n d Ne a l ’ s o b lig a tio n fo r c h ild su p p ort

d u rin g th e re le va n t tim e is still n o t re so lv e d

. S e e Ca nn on v

. C a nn o n , 2 7 0 Ga

.

6 4 0 (5 1 4 S E2 d 2 0 4 ) (1 9 9 9 ). Ac c o rd in g ly

, th e te m p o ra ry su p p o rt ju d g m e n t o f

th e tria l c o u rt m

u st b e re v e rse d a n d th e c a se re m a n d e d fo r e n try o f a n o rd e r th a t

c o m p lie s with th e sta tu te

. S e e F l a d g e r v

. Fla d

g e r , 2 9 6 Ga

. 1 45

, 1 4 9 (2 ) (7 6 5

S E2 d 3 54 ) (2 0 1 4 ).

4

. In its fin a l ju d g m e n t m o d ify in g c h ild su p p o rt, file d o n No v e m b e r 1 3

,

2 0 1 3, th e tria l c o u rt o rd e re d th a t Ne a l pa y Hi b b ar d $ 1

, 7 7 4 .0 0 p e r m o n th to

su p p o rt h is so n

. Ne a l c o n te n d s th a t in d o in g so , th e c o u rt e rre d in im p u tin g to

h im a gro ss m o n th ly in c o m e of $ 1 8 ,7 5 0 .0 0 wh e n h is fin a n c ia l a ffid a v it sh o we d

o n ly a g ro ss m o n th ly in c o m e o f $ 7 ,0 32

. 2 7

. As Ne a l re c og niz e s, th e tria l c o urt

i s e m p o we re d to im

p u te in c o m e to a p a re n t fo r willfu l o r v olu n ta r y

u n e m p lo y m e n t o r u n d e re m

p lo y m e n t. S e e OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f) (4 ) (D). S e e a lso

Bro gd o n v

. Bro g d

o n , 2 9 0 Ga

. 6 1 8

, 6 2 0 (3 ) (7 23 S E2 d 4 2 1 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

No n e th e le ss, h e a rg ue s th a t no e v id e n c e su p p o rte d su c h a ru lin g , an d th a t in fa c t,

h is in c o m e h a d d im in ish e d sin c e h is c rim in a l p ro se c u tio n ; he a lso n o te s th a t th e

c o u rt d id n o t m a k e writte n fin d in gs re g a rd in g th e im p u ta ti o n o f in c o m e

.

Ho we ve r, “ O CGA § 1 9-6 -1 5 (f) (4 ) (D) do e s n o t re q u ire a tria l c ou rt to m a k e

8writ t e n fin d in g s a s to wh y it d e c id e d to im p u te in c o m e to a sp ou se .” S e e

Ba n k sto n v

. L a c h ma n , 2 8 6 Ga

. 4 5 9

, 46 1 (2 ) (6 8 9 S E2 d 3 0 1 ) (2 0 1 0 ). An d

, a tria l

c o u rt’s e v a lu a tio n o f willfu l un e m p lo y m e n t o r un de re m

p lo y m e nt m a y in v o lv e

“ a n y in te n tio n a l c h o ic e o r a c t th a t a ffe c ts a p a re n t’s i n c o m e ” in ord e r to

d e te rm in e “ w h e th e r th e re is a su bsta ntia l lik e lih o o d th a t th e p a re n t c o uld

, with

re a so na b le e ffo r t

, a

p ply h is o r h e r e d uc a tio n , sk ills, o r tra in in g to p ro d u c e

in c o m e

. ” OCGA § 19 -6 -1 5 (f) (4 ) (D). An d, th e tria l c o u rt wa s e m p owe re d to

c o n sid e r n o t o n ly Ne a l’s in c o m e o f re c o rd

, bu t a lso th e a sse ts h e own e d

. OCGA

§ 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f) (4 ) (D) (iv ). T h e c o u rt n ote d th a t Ne a l o w n e d fo u r re a l pro p e rtie s,

a n d th a t h e h a d

, sin c e th e tim e th a t h e te stifie d th a t his p ra c tic e h a d d e c l i n e d

,

p u r c h ase d a c a r with a n a tte n d a n t m o n th ly p ay m e n t of $ 2 ,0 3 6

. 0 0

, a n d w a s

p a yi n g $ 2 ,5 0 0 .0 0 p e r m o n th in re nt, fro m th e $ 7 ,0 3 2 .2 7 m o nth ly in c o me

re p o rte d o n h is fin a n c ia l a ffid a v it. S e e B a n c iu v

. Ba nc iu

, 2 82 Ga

. 6 1 6, 61 7 -6 1 8

(1 ) (6 5 2 S E2 d 5 5 2 ) (2 00 7). F u rth e r, a s to Ne a l’s re p o rte d i n co m e , th e c o urt

n o te d th a t in p re v io u s c o u rt filin g s re g a rd in g h is in c o m e in p rio r y e ars, Ne a l h a d

su b m itte d fin a n c ia l d e c la ra tio n s o f h is in c o m e th a t pro v e d to u n d e rsta te th a t

in c o m e b y m ore th a n $ 1 0 ,0 0 0 a m on th

. Ne a l fa ils to sh o w e rro r in th e tria l

c o u rt’s im

p u ta tio n o f in c o m e to h im f o r th e p u rp ose s o f c h ild su p p ort

9c a lc u la tio n

.

5

. Ne a l n ote s th a t th e fin a l o rd e r o f c h i l d su p p o rt in th is c a se in c lu d e s a

S c h e d u le B o f th e Ch ild S up p o rt Wo rk sh e e t th a t d o e s n o t re fle c t th e c h ild

su p p o rt h e i s o rd e re d to p a y in th e c o m

pa n io n c a se c on c e rn in g his su p p ort

o b l i g a tio n fo r h is d a

ug h te r with Je nn ife r. He c o n te n d s th a t th e c hild su p p o r t

o rd e r re g a rd in g h is d a

u g h te r sh o u ld ha v e re su lte d in a n a dju stm e n t to h is g ro ss

in c o m e fo r th e p u rp o se s o f c a lc u la tin g c h ild su p po rt wh e n th e tria l c o u rt e n te re d

its fin a l ord e r m o d ify in g c h ild su p p o rt a s to h is so n o n th e th e o ry th a t su c h wa s

a “ p r e e xistin g ord e r” to b e ta k e n in to a c c o u n t u n d e r OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f ) ( 5 )

(B). Wh ile it is tru e th a t th e c o u rt e n te re d its fin a l o rd e r m o dify in g c hild su p p ort

a s to Ne a l’s da

u g hte r with Je n n ife r (Ca se n o. S 1 4 A1 6 73 ) on No v e m b e r 1 4

,

2 0 1 3, b e fo re th e No v e m

b e r 2 1

, 2 0 1 3 fin a l o rd e r m o d ify in g c h ild su p p o rt a s to

Ne a l’s so n , th a t d o e s n o t m e e t th e d e f i n itio n of a “ p re e x istin g o rd e r” fo r

p u rp o se s o f c a lc ula tin g c h ild su p p o rt u n d e r th e sta tu te . Ra th e r,

“ [p ] re e x istin g o rd e r” m e a n s:

(A) A n o rd e r in a n o th e r c a se th a t re q u ire s a p a re n t to

m a ke c h ild su p p o rt p a y m e n ts fo r a no th e r c h ild

, wh ic h

c h ild su p p o rt th e p a re n t is a c tu a lly p a y in g , a s e v id e n c e d

b y d o c u m e n ta tio n a s p ro v id e d in d iv isio n (f)(5 )(B)(iii)

o f th is Co d e se c tio n ; a n d

10(B) Th a t th e d a te a nd t i m e o f filin g with th e c le rk o f

c o u rt o f th e i n itia l o rd

e r fo r e a c h su c h o th e r c a se is

e a rlie r th a n th e d a te a nd tim e o f filin g with th e c le rk o f

c o u rt o f th e in itia l o rd

e r in th e c a se imme d ia te ly b e fo re th e c o u rt

, re g a rd le ss o f th e a g e o f a n y c h ild in a n y o f

th e c a se s.

OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (a ) (1 8 ) (Em p h a sis su p p lie d .) Th e in itia l c h ild su p po rt o rd e r

i n t h e c a s e o f Ne a l’s so n wa s file d o n Ja n u a ry 2 8

, 2 00 0, th e d a te o f th e in itia l

o rd e r in th e c a se of Ne a l’s d a u g h te r with Je n n ife r is Ju ly 2 2, 2 0 1 0

, a n d th u s, th e

tria l c o u rt’s o rd e r o f No ve m b e r 1 4

, 2 0 1 3 m od ify in g Ne a l’s c h ild su p p o rt a s to

h i s d a u g h te r with Je n n ife r d o e s n o t c o n stitu te a “ p re e x istin g o rd e r” n e c e ssita t i n g

a n a d ju stm e n t to Ne a l’s g ro ss in c o m e u n d e r OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f) (5 ) (B).

6

. In th e c o u rt’s fin a l o r d e r m o d ify in g c h ild su p p o rt, S c h e d u le B o f th e

Ch ild S u p po rt Wo rk sh e e t in c lu d e s a n a d ju stm e nt to Hib ba rd ’s in c om e to re fle c t

th a t a c h ild bo rn o f a n o th e r fa th e r liv e d in h e r h om e a s a “ qu a lifie d c h ild .” 3 Ne a l

3 Under OCGA § 19-6-15 (a) (20), a

“Qualified child” or “qualified children” means any child:

(A) F or whom the parent is leg ally responsible and in whose home the child resides; (B ) That the parent is actually supporting ; (C) W ho is not subject to a preex isting order; and (D) W ho is not before the court to set, modify , or enforce support in the case immediately u n der consideration.

Qualified children shall not include stepchildren or other minors in the home that

11c o n te n d s th a t th e tria l c o u rt fa ile d to m a k e w ritte n fin d in g s o f fa c t re g a rd in g h is

so n ’s be st in te re st in su p p ort o f th is a d ju stm e n t. Ho we v e r, su c h is no t re q u ire d

.

Un d e r th e c h ild su p p o rt g u id e l i n e s , th e “[g ] ro ss in c o m e o f e a c h p a re n t

sh a ll b e d e te rm in e d in th e p ro c e s s o f se ttin g th e p re su m p tiv e a m o u n t o f c h ild

su p p o rt a n d sh a ll in c lu d e a ll in c o m e fro m a n y so u rc e [.] ” OCGA § 19 -6 -1 5 (f)

(1 ) (A). Va rio u s a d

ju stm e n ts m a y b e m a d e to th e c a lc ula tio n o f g ro ss in c o m e ,

OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (b ) (2 ), in c lu d in g a n a dju stm e n t fo r “th e o re tic a l c h ild su p p ort

o rd e rs” u n d e r O CGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f) (5 ) (C), wh ic h a llo ws a tria l c o u rt to ta k e

in to a c c o u n t th e c o sts o f m a in ta in in g a c h ild liv in g in a pa re nt ’ s h o m e , o th e r

th a n a c h ild w h o is th e su b je c t o f th e c h ild su p po rt o rd e r th a t th e c o u rt is

c o n sid e rin g

. O CGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f) (5 ) (C). S e e a lso OCGA § § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (a ) (2 2 )

& 1 9 -6 -1 5 (b ) (2 ) (C); S tru nk v

. S tru n k

, 2 9 4 Ga

. 2 80

, 2 82 -2 8 3 (4 ) (7 5 4 S E2 d 1 )

(2 0 1 2 ). W h e th e r to a

p p ly a th e o re tic a l c hild su p po rt o rd e r is in th e tria l c o u rt’s

d isc re tio n , a nd is b a se d up o n c o n sid e ra tio n o f “ th e b e st in te re st o f th e c h ild fo r

wh o m c h ild su p p o rt is b e in g a wa rd e d ,” OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f) (5 ) (C). Afte r th is,

o r a ny o th e r su c h a d

j u s tm e n ts a re m a d e , th e tria l c ou rt d e riv e s a p re su m p tiv e

the parent has no leg al oblig ation to support.

12a m o u n t o f c h ild su pp o rt. OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (b ) (2 )-(7 ). S e e a lso OCGA § 1 9 -6

-

1 5 (a ) (1 9 ). It is a t th is p o in t th a t a d e v ia tio n fro m

th e p re su m

p tiv e a m o u n t o f

c h ild s u p p o rt, if a n y , is a

p p lie d

. OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (b ) (8 ). S e e a lso OCGA §

1 9 -6 -1 5 (i). An d

, it is su c h de v ia tio ns fo r w h ic h w ritte n fin d in gs a re re q u ire d

u n d e r OCGA § 19 -6 -1 5 (c ) (2 ) (E). S e e Ca rr-Ma c Arth u r v

. Ca rr , 2 96 Ga

. 3 0

,

3 5 -3 7 (3 ) (7 6 4 S E2 d 8 4 0 ) (2 0 1 4 ); Stru nk

, su p ra

. Bu t

, a n y co n sid e ra tio n o f a

th e o re tic a l c h ild su p p o rt o rd e r fo r a q u a lifie d c h ild is a c c o u n te d fo r in th e

p re su m p tiv e c h ild su p p o rt c a lc u la tio n ; it is n ot a d e v ia tio n fro m th e p re su m p tiv e

a m o u n t o f c hild su p p o rt. Wh ile th e re is a re q u ire m e n t th a t th e tria l c o urt’s fin a l

o rd e r in c lu d e a writte n fin d in g se ttin g fo rth “ h o w th e b e st in te re st o f th e c h ild

wh o is su b

je c t to th e c h ild su p p o rt de te rm in a tio n is se rv e d b y d e v ia tio n fro m th e

p re su m p tiv e a m o u n t o f c h ild su p p o rt[,] ” OCGA § 1 9-6 -1 5 (c ) (2 ) (E) (iii)

(e m p h a sis su p p lie d ), th e re is n o su c h re q u ire m e n t i n OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (f) (5 )

(C), a nd th e fa c t th a t b o th su b se c tio ns a p p ly a “ b e st in te re st o f th e c h ild ”

c o n sid e ra tio n d o e s n o t im p o se su c h a re q u ire m e n t. T o th e e x te nt th a t A d a me v

.

He rn da n d

e z , 3 2 7 Ga

. Ap p

. 8 6 9

, 8 7 4 (3 ) (b ) (7 6 1 SE2 d 4 0 2) (2 0 1 4 ), h o ld s th a t

th e tria l c o u rt m

u st su p p ort, w ith writte n fin d in g s, its e x e rc ise o f d isc re tio n a n d

c o n sid e ra tio n o f “ th e b e st in te re st o f th e c h ild fo r wh o m c h ild su pp ort is b e in g

13a wa rd e d ” wh e n a p p ly in g a th e o re tic a l c h ild su p p o rt o rd e r un d e r OCGA § 1 9 -6

-

1 5 (f) (5 ) (C), it is h e re b y o v e rru le d

.

Ca se No . S 1 4

A1 6 7 3

.

7

. Re p e a tin g th e ar g u m e n ts a d v a n c e d in Div isio n 1, su p ra , Ne a l a sse rts

th a t th e c h a

n g e in c u sto d y a s to h is d a u g hte r with Je nn ife r wa s p re dic a te d so le ly

o n h is se x u a l b e h a v io r , a n d t h a t d o in g so wa s e rro r. Ho we v e r, th e tria l c o urt

b a se d its ru lin g a s to th e c ha n g e o f c usto d y o f N e a l ’ s d a u g h te r o n sim ila r

c o n sid e ra tio n s a s th o se p e rta in in g to th e c h a n g e in c usto d y o f h i s s o n , a n d a s

n o te d, wa s e m

p o we re d to do so

. S e e Div isio n 1

, su pra

. Ne a l n o te s th a t th e tria l

c o u rt, a t o n e po in t d u rin g th e p ro c e e d in g s, re m a rk e d th a t Ne a l’s so n h a d b e e n

e x p o se d to re p e rc ussio n s fro m Ne a l’s c o n d u c t, b u t t ha t th e c o u rt wa s “ [n ] o t

su re ” th a t Ne a l’s th e n se v e n -y e a r-o ld d a u gh te r “ re a lly k n o ws w h a t h a pp e n e d ,”

a n d Ne a l a sse rts th a t th e re wa s th u s n o sh o win g o f h a rm to h is d a u gh te r, a n d n o

sh o win g o f a c h a n g e in c o nd itio n wa rra n tin g a c h a n g e in c u sto d y

. H o we v e r, in

a d d itio n to th e c o n sid e ra tio n s d isc u sse d in Div isio n 1 , su p ra , we n o te th a t it is

n o t n e c e ssa ry th a t a c hild a lre a d y b e h a rm e d b y a c h a n g in g c irc u m sta n c e b e fo re

14a tria l c o u rt m a y c o n sid e r it in e v a lu a tin g th e b e st i n t e r e st o f th e c h ild ; th e

c o u rt’s de te rm in a tio n c a n in c lu d e c o n sid e ra tio n o f h o w a c h a n g i n g c i r c u m sta n c e

is lik e ly to p ro d u c e a c h a n g e in th e be st in te re st o f th e c h ild

. Se e B o d n e v

.

B o d n e , 2 7 7 Ga

. 4 4 5 (5 88 S E2 d 7 2 8) (2 0 0 3 ), wh ic h de a lt with o n e p a re n t’ s

p la n ne d m o v e to a n o th e r sta te

. S e e a lso In th e In te re st o f R.E.W

. , 2 2 0 Ga

. Ap p

.

8 6 1

, 8 6 3 (4 7 1 S E2 d 6 ) (1 9 9 6 ). Th e re wa s a lso e v id e n c e th a t Ne a l a tte m p te d to

m a n ip u la te h is d a

u g h te r a g a in st Je n n ife r , a nd Ne a l fa ils to sh o w e rro r o n th is

p o in t.

8

. On S e p te m

be r 2 6

, 2 0 1 3

, th e t r i al c o urt e n te re d its te m p ora ry o rd e r

se ttin g c h ild su p p o rt fo r Ne a l’s d a ug h te r a t $ 2 ,0 0 0 .0 0 p e r m o n th

. Oth e r th a n th e

sty le o f th e o rd e r, it is id e ntic a l to th a t e n te re d in Hib b a rd ’s c a se th e sa m e d a y ,

a n d th u s su ffe rs fro m th e sa m e in firm ity

. Se e Div isio n 3

, su p ra

. Ac c o rd in gly

,

th is c a se to o m

u st be re v e rse d a n d re m a n d e d fo r e ntry o f a n o rd e r th a t c o m p lie s

with OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5

.

9

. Ne a l’s c o n te n tio n th a t th e tria l c o u rt e rre d in im p utin g in c o m e to h im

is u n a v a ilin g . S e e Div isio n 4 , su p ra

.

1 0

. On N o v e m

b e r 1 4

, 2 0 1 3

, th e tria l c o u rt e n te re d its fin a l ju d g m e n t

m o d ify in g c h ild su p p o rt in th is c a se , w ith S c h e d u le B sh o win g a s a n a d ju stm e n t

15to h is g ro ss m o n th ly in c o m e a p r e e x istin g c h ild su pp ort o rd e r with a m o n th ly

su p p o rt o b lig a tio n o f $ 74 8.7 5 fo r Ne a l’s so n

. S e e OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (b ) (2 ) (B),

(f) (5 ) (B). Ne a l c o n te n d s th a t th e c o u rt sh o uld h a v e use d th e fig u re $ 1 ,7 7 4 .0 0

in ste a d, a s th a t wa s th e o b lig a tio n th a t th e c o u rt u ltim a te ly im p o se d u p o n Ne a l

in th e c o m

p a n io n c a se re g a rd in g h is so n

. H o we v e r, th is is in c o rre c t; th a t fig u re

wa s se t fo rth in a n o rd e r o n No v e m be r 2 1

, 2 0 1 3. As n o te d

, a “ p re e x istin g

o rd e r” is

( A ) A n o rd e r in a

n o th e r c a se th a t re q u ire s a p a re n t to m a k e c h i l d

su p p o rt p a y m e n ts fo r a n o th e r c h ild

, wh ic h c h ild su p po rt th e p a re n t
is a c t u a lly p a y in g , a s e v id e n c e d by do c u m e n ta tio n a s p ro v id e d in

d iv isio n (f) (5 ) (B) (iii) o f th is Co d e se c tio n ; a n d (B) T h a t th e d a t e a n d tim e o f filin g with th e c le rk o f c ou rt of th e in itia l ord e r fo r e a c h su c h o th e r c a se is e a rlie r th an th e d a te a nd tim e

o f f i lin g with th e c le rk o f c o urt o f th e in itia l o rd e r in th e c a se im m e d ia te ly b e fo re th e c ou rt, re ga rd le ss o f th e a g e o f a n y c h ild in

a n y o f th e c a se s.

OCGA § 19 -6 -1 5 (a ) (1 8 ). S e e Div isio n 6

, su p r a. Ac c o rd in g ly

, th e n o t-y e to rd e re d o b lig a tio n o f $ 1 ,7 7 4 .0 0 p e r m o n th c o u ld n o t b e c o n sid e re d a p re e x istin g

o rd e r, a n d th e tria l c o urt d id n o t e rr in u sin g th e fig u re im p o se d b y th e o rig in a l

d iv o rc e d e c re e in Ca se Nu m be r S 1 4 A1 6 69

. 4

4 W e need not consider whether the infirm temporary order of child support filed on September 26, 2013, see Division 3, supra, should have been considered a preex isting order. Under OCGA § 19-6-15 (f) (5) (B ) (iii), adjustments are permitted “only to the ex tent that the

161 0

. Th e tria l c o u rt’s f i n a l j u d g m e n t m o d ify in g c h ild su p p o rt fo u n d th a t

Ne a l w a s o b lig a te d to p a y Je n n ife r $4 5 0 .0 0 p e r m o n t h i n a d d itio n to h is

p ro sp e c tiv e c hild su p p o rt ob lig a tio n to c o m p e n sa te h e r fo r $ 5 ,3 3 4 .0 0 “ in a rre a rs

u n d e r th e div orc e d e c re e fo r m e d ic a l b ills, e x tra c u rric u la r a c tiv itie s, a n d c h ild

c a r e .” 5 Ne a l c o n te n d s th a t th e d iv o rc e d e c re e re q u ire d th a t th e se e x p e n se s b e

sp lit e qu a lly b e twe e n th e pa rtie s, Je nn ife r c on te n d s t h a t t h e d iv o rc e d e c re e

re q u ire d th a t th e y a ll b e p a id b y Ne a l, a n d th e e vid e n c e a c c e p te d b y th e tria l

c o u rt re ste d o n th e p re m ise th a t th e re sp o n sib ility fo r th e se e xp e n se s wa s

e n tire ly Ne a l’s. Ho w e ve r, ne ith e r p a rty c ite s to sp e c ific p a ge s o f th e re c o rd o n

wh ic h th e se p ro v isio ns m a y b e fo u n d

, se e R

u le 1 9

, a n d o u r e x a m in a tio n o f th e

d e c re e , in c o rp o ra te d c h ild su pp o rt a d d e nd um a n d a sso c ia te d w o rk sh e e t re v e a ls

th a t a t le a st so m e o f th e e x p e nse s fo r wh ic h th e tria l c o u rt fo u n d Ne a l liab le fo r

a rre a rs w e r e t o b e s p lit e q u a lly b e twe e n th e p a rtie s. Ac c o rd in gly

, o n re m a n d

,

th e tria l c o u rt m

u st re c a lc u la te th e a wa rd fo r a rre a rs. S e e Bla ir v

. Bla ir

, 2 7 2 Ga

.

pay ments are actually

being paid as evidenced by [ specified] documentation . . . .” Neal does not

arg ue that the fig ure of $2,000.00 set forth in the temporary order should have been used, does not assert that he submitted the specified documentation showing actual pay

ment under that directive, and no such documentation appears in the record.

5 W e note that, in connection with the modification action, J e nnifer had filed a petition to find Neal in contempt for, inter alia, failure to pay required ex penses. See Strunk , supra at 283-

285.

179 4 , 9 7 (3 ) (5 2 7 S E2 d 1 7 7 ) (2 0 0 0 ).

1 1

. Th e c o u rt a wa rd e d a tto rn e y fe e s to Je n n ife r fo r bo th th e c hild c u sto d y

p ro c e e d in g s, OCGA § 1 9 -9 -3 (g ), a n d th e c h ild su p p o rt p ro c e e d in g s, O CGA §

1 9 -6 -1 5 (k ) (5 ). Se e Visk u p v

. Visk u p , 2 9 1 G a

. 1 0 3

, 1 0 6 ( 3 ) (7 27 S E2 d 9 7 )

(2 0 1 2 ). At d iffe re n t tim e s d u rin g th e p ro c e e d in g s, Je n n ife r wa s re p re se n te d b y

two se pa ra te a tto rn e y s, first Cla y Jo lly a nd th e n Je n n a Ma tso n

. Alth o u g h Ne a l

a sse rts th a t n o fe e a wa rd wa s wa rra n te d, re a so n a b le a tto rn e y f

e e s ma y b e

o rd e re d “ to b e p a id b y th e p a rtie s in p ro p o rtio n s a n d a t tim e s d e te rm in e d b y th e

ju d g e ” u n d e r OCGA § 1 9-9 -3 (g ), a nd “ a s th e in te re sts o f ju stic e m a y re q u ire ”

u n d e r OCGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (k ) (5 ). Th e re c o rd a s it sta n d s su p p o rts t h e c o u r t ’ s

d e te rm in a tio n th a t a wa rd in g fe e s u n d e r th e sta tu te s is a p p ro p ria te

.

As to th e fe e s d u e fo r Ma tso n ’s re pre se n ta tio n, Ne a l u rg e s th e a w a rd

in c lu de s a m o u n ts th a t sh o u ld n o t h a v e be e n e m b ra c e d in th e c o u rt’s fin a l a wa rd

o f a t t o rn e y fe e s, issu e d a fte r a h e a rin g h e ld o n O c to b e r 11

, 2 0 1 3

. At a p r i o r

h e a rin g o n Au g u st 2 9

, 20 1 3

, Ma ts o n p re se n te d e v id e n c e of th e c osts o f h e r

re p re se n ta tio n of Je n n ife r to th a t d a t e. A l th o u g h th e n e e d fo r Ma tso n to

c o n tin u e to p u t fo rth e ffo rts to re p re se n t Je n n ife r prio r to th e h e a rin g o f Oc to b e r

181 1

, 2 0 1 3 wo u ld a pp e a r o b v i o u s , 6 Ne a l c on te n d s th a t h e d id n o t re c e iv e n o tic e

th a t e v id e n c e o f a dd itio n a l a tto rn e y fe e s fo r Ma tso n wo u ld b e p re se n te d a t th a t

h e a rin g , o n ly th a t Jo lly ’s fe e s wo u ld b e a d d re sse d

. Ne a l d id n o t ra ise a n y issu e

re g a rd in g n o tic e b e fo re Ma tso n p re se n te d h e r e v i d e n c e a s to c osts o f h e r

re p re se n ta tio n sin c e th e p rio r h e a rin g ; in fa c t, it w a s n o t u n til Ne a l h a d

c o m p le te d h is c ro ss-e x a m in a tio n o f Ma tso n a b o u t th e se fe e s th a t h e ra ise d th e

issu e , a t wh ic h p o in t th e c o u rt d e e m e d an y o b j e c t i o n b a se d on n o tic e to h a v e

b e e n wa iv e d. Alth o u g h N e a l c o n te n d s th a t th e c o u rt d id no t a ffo rd h im a n

o p p ortu n ity to o b

je c t to th e la c k o f n o tic e b e f o r e h e c o m

ple te d h is c ro sse x a m in a tio n , th e re c o rd re v e a ls n o su c h im p e d im e n t, a n d th e tria l c o u rt d id n o t

e rr in fin d in g th a t Ne a l h a d wa iv e d th e o bje c tio n

. S e e Sp ea r m a n v

. Ge o rg ia

Bld g

. Au th

. , 2 2 4 Ga

. Ap p

. 8 0 1

, 8 0 5 (2 ) (4 2 SE2 d 4 6 3) (1 9 9 7); J a c k so n v

. S ta te

,

2 1 7 Ga . Ap p . 4 8 5

, 4 8 8 (4 ) (a ) (4 5 8 S E2 d 1 5 3 ) (1 9 9 5 ).

As to th e fe e a wa rd fo r Jo lly ’s re p r es e n ta tio n , d u rin g th e h e a rin g o n

Oc to b e r 1 1

, 2 0 1 3

, Ne a l o b je c te d to J o l l y ’ s c la im fo r a tto rn e y fe e s, a n d h is

6 On Aug ust 29, 2013, Neal filed three additional pleading s in the case, includingone which moved to strike what he alleg ed were Matson’s “false statements,” requested sanctions

ag ainst Matson for alleg ed violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the State B ar of Georg ia, and demanded that the case be assig ned to another judg e.

19te stim o n y in su pp o rt th e re o f, o n th e g ro u n d th a t Jo lly h a d w ith d ra wn fro m h is

re p re se n ta tio n p rio r to tria l, a n d p rio r to filin g h is in d e pe n d e n t c la im fo r a tto rn e y

fe e s. Ho we ve r, N e a l fa ils to c ite a n y a u th o rity fo r th e p ro p o sitio n th a t a tto rn e y

fe e s c a n n o t b e a wa rd e d u n d e r th e re le va n t sta tu te s fo r o n e wh o h a s with d ra wn

fro m re p re se n ta tio n ; th e sta tu to ry la ng ua g e th a t fe e s m a y be o rd e re d “ to b e p a id

b y th e p a rtie s i n p ro p o rtio n s a n d a t tim e s d e te rm in e d by th e ju d g e , ” OCGA §

1 9

- 9

- 3 ( g )

, a n d “ a s th e in te re sts o f ju stic e m a y re q u ire ,” O CGA § 1 9 -6 -1 5 (k )

( 5 ), w o u ld se e m to e n c o m p a ss su c h a situ a tio n

. Ne a l fa ils to sh o w th a t th e

sta tu to ry c o n d itio n s a re no t m e t wh e n a n a tto rn e y with d ra ws b e fo re c o m p le tio n

o f t h e c a s e , with o u t first su b m ittin g e v id e nc e in su p p o rt of th e a s-y e tu n a d d re sse d fe e re q u e st; a fte r a ll, b u t fo r th e s t a tu to ry p ro v isio ns, Je n n ife r

wo u ld b e re sp o n sib le fo r a ll o f h e r a tto rn e y c o sts, Visk u p , su p ra , n e c e ssa rily

in c lu din g fe e s in c u rre d b e fo re th e with d ra w a l o f h e r first c o u n se l.

Ju d g m e n ts a ffirm e d in pa rt a n d re ve rse d in p a rt, a n d c a se s re m a n d e d with

d ire c tio n . All th e Ju stic e s c on c u r.

20