Opinion ID: 2538744
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Increased child support and attorney fees

Text: Also on appeal, Janice contends that the district court abused its discretion when it denied her motion to increase child support and for attorney fees. Janice asserts that the district court failed to give weight to Donald's standard of living and the circumstances of each parent when deciding whether to increase the child support obligation. Moreover, she contends that Donald's child support obligation should be adjusted upward from the statutory maximum because Matthew has considerable medical expenses and additional school expenses. Further, Janice insists that the district court was required to determine Donald's gross monthly income because the parties disagreed as to the amount. [28] This court reviews a district court child support order for abuse of discretion. [29] The record shows that the district court considered Janice's assertions and concluded that there were no changes in the parties' circumstances since they entered into their child support agreement that would warrant an increase in Donald's child support obligation. Donald was already paying the statutory maximum under the parties' agreement. The record further reveals that at the time of the proceedings, Donald was current with his child support obligation. Thus, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Janice's motion for an increase in the amount of child support, and we affirm that portion of the district court's order. Finally, with respect to Janice's request for attorney fees, the district court must award reasonable attorney fees in a proceeding to enforce a child support obligation, unless the court finds that the responsible parent would experience an undue hardship if required to pay such fees. [30] This court will not disturb the district court's decision regarding attorney fees absent an abuse of discretion. [31] Here, Janice sought fees, in part, because she had to move the district court to recover unpaid medical expenses for which Donald was responsible under the divorce decree. [32] On the eve of the hearing, Donald reimbursed Janice for past medical expenses, but according to Janice, he still owed her approximately $900 in outstanding medical expenses. The district court summarily denied Janice's request for fees without citation to authority. We conclude that the district court abused its discretion in failing to either award Janice fees or expressly find that the fee award would cause Donald an undue hardship. Accordingly, we reverse that portion of the district court order and remand this issue to the district court for further consideration. [33]