Opinion ID: 1161005
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Consideration of Robinson's Potential Earning Capacity

Text: Easton next argues that the superior court should have calculated Robinson's child support obligations based on his potential, rather than his actual, earnings. Her argument has merit. Modification of child support may be unwarranted if an obligor has voluntarily reduced his or her income. See Vokacek v. Vokacek, 933 P.2d 544, 549 (Alaska 1997); Pattee v. Pattee, 744 P.2d 658, 662 (Alaska 1987), overruled on other grounds by Nass v. Seaton, 904 P.2d 412, 416 & n. 7 (Alaska 1995). This court has suggested that assessing voluntariness is essentially a question of fact. See Vokacek, 933 P.2d at 549 (stating that the judge should consider the nature of the changes and the reasons for the changes, and then [] determine whether under all the circumstances a modification is warranted) (citation omitted). A court may find that underemployment was voluntary even if the obligor acted in good faith. See Kowalski v. Kowalski, 806 P.2d 1368, 1371 (Alaska 1991). Easton has a plausible argument that Robinson has voluntarily failed to realize his income potential. Robinson testified at the November 1995 hearing that with mechanic's tools he could increase his income three-fold. As the superior court recognized, Robinson has at all times owned property that he could use as collateral for a loan to buy these tools. His failure to seek a loan could be considered a decision to remain voluntarily underemployed. As a result, the superior court should consider Easton's argument on this issue on remand.