Opinion ID: 1232434
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: liability for support

Text: E.R. argues that: Since there was no in personam jurisdiction [over him in the divorce proceedings], and no specified amount of child support [contained in the divorce decree, he] was under no obligation to pay support to his children which could lead to the adoption of his children, over his objection, for willful failure to pay support. His argument overlooks the obligation for parental support of minor children which exists absent a court ordered duty to do so. We recognized this common law duty in Warren v. Hart, 747 P.2d 511 (Wyo. 1987). As L.T. and E.M.T. noted in their brief, the court there quoted from I Chitty's Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England, Pt. I and II at 368 (1838): `The duty of parents to provide for the maintenance of their children, is a principle of natural law; an obligation, says Puffendorf (b), laid on them not only by nature herself, but by their own proper act, in bringing them into the world:   . By begetting them, therefore, they have entered into a voluntary obligation to endeavour, as far as in them lies, that the life which they have bestowed shall be supported and preserved. And thus the children will have the perfect right of receiving maintenance from their parents.' Warren, 747 P.2d at 514 n. 1. There may be instances in which a court can define or limit this common law duty, but, properly, such was not done here. Rather, the court expressly recognized the continuance of the duty in the divorce decree insofar as it could, absent personal jurisdiction. The duty being thus recognized, the failure to perform it is actionable. Any person legally responsible for the support of a child under the age of eighteen (18) years who abandons, deserts, neglects or unjustifiably fails to support the child is liable for support of the child. It is no defense that the child was not or is not in destitute circumstances. W.S. 14-2-204(a). E.R. had a duty to contribute to the support of the minor children prior to the time of their adoption.