Source: http://fathersunite.org/Case%20Law/Silva_assets_of_second_Spouse.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 06:07:50+00:00

Document:
Appeals Court of Massachusetts, Plymouth.
Father appealed from judgment of the Probate Court, Plymouth County, Murphy, J., which denied his petition for modification. The Appeals Court, Dreben, J., held that: (1) duty of child support was imposed upon the wife as well as the husband so that wife's assets and income should have been considered in assessing the husband's petition, and (2) admission of evidence as to the income of the husband's second wife was proper as the income and assets of that spouse were part of the circumstances relevant to the ability of the husband to pay.
In awarding support for the children, court must look at the circumstances of the mother as well as the father. M.G.L.A. c. 208 § 28.
Although statute dealing with care and maintenance of minor children after divorce predates many of the other gender-neutral provisions of Massachusetts domestic relations law, it is not to be construed in terms of the rules of child support applicable in former periods but rather is to be construed as an integral part of a comprehensive statutory and common-law pattern which places marital and parental obligations on both husband and wife. M.G.L.A. c. 208 § 28.
Duty of child support is imposed upon the wife as well as on the husband. M.G.L.A. c. 208 § 28.
Wife's income, if any, would have to be considered in assessing the husband's petition for modification of support payments; it was improper not to permit the husband to cross-examine wife concerning her assets. M.G.L.A. c. 208 § 28.
Duties of child support imposed by statute on husband and wife are fully consistent with the Equal Rights Amendment. M.G.L.A. c. 208 § 28; M.G.L.A.Const. Pt. 1, Art. 1 as amended Amend. Art. 106.
Second marriage does not relieve a spouse of marital and parental obligations.
Second husband or wife does not share the duty to obey a support order directed toward the other spouse.
Income and assets of second spouses are part of the circumstances relevant to the ability of parents to use their own resources to contribute to the support of their children.
**1330 *339 Robert Sylvia, pro se.
Before ARMSTRONG, PERRETTA and DREBEN, JJ.
Robert A. Silvia (husband) appeals from a judgment entered on his motion for modification which, inter alia, orders him to make certain payments to Diane M. Silvia (Diane) for the support of their minor children. The only questions [FN1] before us are whether the trial judge erred in precluding cross- examination relating to Diane's income and **1331 assets and in permitting testimony relating to the income of the present Mrs. Silvia. We hold that the judge erred in excluding examination as to Diane's resources but did not err in allowing evidence of the income of the husband's present wife.

References: § 28
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 Art. 1
 Art. 106