Opinion ID: 2212351
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Support Payments

Text: Caroline contends that the court erred when it failed to consider the child support guidelines in setting the amount of Gerald's support obligation. Subsection 3 of N.D.C.C. 14-09-09.7 establishes a rebuttable presumption that the amount of child support reflected in the guidelines is correct, and further provides that [a] written finding or a specific finding on the record must be made if the court determines that the presumption has been rebutted. Caroline argues that, as the child support payments Gerald is required to make vary significantly from the payment schedule provided in the child support guidelines, and the court failed to make findings justifying this variance, the court erred in setting the amount of Gerald's support obligation. Caroline first raised this issue on appeal. We have previously stated that new issues cannot be considered for the first time on appeal. Lynch v. Williston City Com'n, 460 N.W.2d 136, 138 (N.D.1990); Farm Credit Bank of St. Paul v. Stedman, 449 N.W.2d 562, 565 (N.D.1989); Kern v. Art Schimkat Construction Co., 125 N.W.2d 149 (N.D.1963). See also, Lang v. Bank of North Dakota, 423 N.W.2d 501, 502 (N.D. 1988) (allowing a new claim to be raised but recognizing that usually a new issue cannot be considered for the first time on appeal). Although Caroline did request that the court make additional findings concerning the parties' gross and net incomes, she at no time raised the issue that the court failed to follow N.D.C.C. 14-09-09.7 by failing to make written findings that the correctness of the guidelines had been rebutted by factors not considered by the guidelines. Because the question of whether or not the court must follow N.D.C.C. 14-09-09.7 in these respects was not raised in the trial court, we will not consider that issue on appeal. For the law of this case, as it determines the rights of the parties in this case, we will consider the appropriateness of the court's award of child support in light of our past decisions without reference to that issue. The trial court has the power to modify the amount or method of support to be paid upon a showing that the financial circumstances of the parties has significantly changed. E.g. Burrell v. Burrell, 359 N.W.2d 381 (N.D.1985). A trial court's determination on modification of child support is treated as a finding of fact subject to the clearly erroneous standard of review under Rule 52(a), NDRCivP. Bloom v. Fyllesvold, 420 N.W.2d 327 (N.D.1988). A finding of fact is clearly erroneous when, although there is some evidence to support it, the reviewing court is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Id.  Koch v. Williams, 456 N.W.2d 299, 300 (N.D.1990). However, we will not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court. That we may have viewed the evidence differently had we been the trier of the facts will not support a determination that the findings of the trial court were clearly erroneous. Gabel v. Gabel, 434 N.W.2d 722, 723 (N.D.1989). The court determined that the financial circumstances of both parties had significantly changed since the time of the original judgment and the subsequent hearings concerning support. In 1981, Gerald's gross monthly income was determined to be $1,287. The court found that the monthly gross income of Gerald for the year 1990 will be $1,871. In 1981, Caroline's gross monthly income was determined to be $1,029. The court found that the monthly gross income for Caroline for the year 1990 will be $2,675. In light of the evidence which supports these findings, we do not find the trial court's finding that there had been a significant change in circumstances to be clearly erroneous. Caroline asserts on appeal, and Gerald asserts on cross-appeal, that the court erred in determining the amount of child support Gerald should pay. Gerald also asserts in his cross-appeal that the court erred in releasing Caroline from her support obligation. When determining the amount of child support to be paid by each party, the court focuses on how the changed circumstances affect the financial needs of the supporting spouse and his or her ability to pay, as well as on the needs of the children and the dependent spouse. Burrell, 359 N.W.2d at 383 (citing Corbin v. Corbin, 288 N.W.2d 61 (N.D.1980)). The needs of the children will be balanced with the supporting parent's ability to pay. Burrell, 359 N.W.2d at 383. A parent's ability to pay is not necessarily indicated by earnings alone, but the court must also consider the parties' net worth, which includes physical assets and his/her earning ability as demonstrated by past income. Id. A trial court's determination of child support will not be reversed on appeal unless it is found to be clearly erroneous. E.g. Fleck v. Fleck, 427 N.W.2d 355, 357 (N.D.1988). We will conclude that such a finding is clearly erroneous when we are left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Burrell, 359 N.W.2d at 383; Rule 52(a), N.D.R.Civ.P. Specifically, the court found that: Caroline has a $15,000 debt as a result of the schooling which permitted her to increase her yearly income; Gerald is able to raise some food through his farming operations; Caroline's gross monthly income for 1990 will be $2,675, yielding a net monthly income of $2,110; and Gerald's gross monthly income for 1990 will be $1,871, yielding a net monthly income of $1,424.57. In light of these findings and careful review of the record, we are not left with a definite and firm conviction that the trial court made a mistake in setting the amounts of child support the parties were to pay. Accordingly, we conclude that the district court's determination of the amounts of child support to be paid by each party, none on the part of Caroline and $225 per month less $50 per month towards arrearages until all arrearages are paid on the part of Gerald, was not clearly erroneous and therefore the judgment in that respect is affirmed.