Opinion ID: 1200657
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the Trial Court Err in Calculating Child Support?

Text: We find merit to Tommy's argument that his child support obligation under Alaska Civil Rule 90.3 should take into account the qualified domestic relations order awarding Linda a portion of his military retirement benefits. The order by its terms took effect September 18, 1989, therefore any child support calculation up until that date was correct. However, if the order is allowed to stand on remand, the child support must be recalculated. Rule 90.3(a) provides in part: A child support award in a case in which one parent is awarded sole or primary physical custody as defined by paragraph (f) will be calculated as an amount equal to the adjusted annual income of the non-custodial parent multiplied by a percentage specified in subparagraph (a)(2). (1) Adjusted annual income as used in this rule means the parent's total income from all sources... . Clearly any portion of Tommy's retirement which is paid to Linda should not be considered and is not income to Tommy for purposes of this rule. In Bergstrom v. Lindback, 779 P.2d 1235, 1237 (Alaska 1989), we held that a prospective child support obligation calculated under Rule 90.3 must include actual earnings: [T]he superior court's determination of prospective child support was based on the erroneous assumption that Lindback would not teach during the fall of 1987... . We conclude that the superior court erred in failing to include Lindback's actual 1987 earnings in her adjusted annual income to determine the prospective child support award. A child support obligation under Rule 90.3 must be based on the parent's actual adjusted annual income.