Opinion ID: 2302884
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Child Support Computation and GAL Fees

Text: [¶ 8] Timothy contends that the court erred in computing his child support obligation and in apportioning the guardian ad litem (GAL) fees between the parties. Issues relating to child support and the payment of GAL fees are within the sound discretion of the court and will be reviewed for an abuse of that discretion. See Douglas v. Douglas, 2012 ME 67, ¶ 13, 43 A.3d 965; Smith, 2008 ME 56, ¶ 17, 955 A.2d 740; El-Shafei v. Elshafei, 649 A.2d 1106, 1108 (Me.1994). [¶ 9] The court provided Timothy a credit of $733.50 towards child support based on the fact that he would have primary residence of the child for half of the child's summer vacation. Timothy alleges that the court made a minor mathematical or calendar error in calculating the amount of child support relief to which he was entitled. [2] Timothy did not bring this alleged error to the court's attention, nor did he make a motion for additional findings of fact pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 120(c); [3] therefore, he has not preserved this issue for appellate review, see Alexander, Maine Appellate Practice § 402 at 214-16 (3d ed.2008). Mathematical or other asserted errors in the calculation of child support should be brought directly to the attention of the trial court in order to avoid the unnecessary cost and delay of an appeal. Because Timothy did not bring the possible error to the court's attention, we do not address the issue on appeal. See id.; see also Dongo v. Banks, 448 A.2d 885, 893 (Me.1982). [¶ 10] Regarding the GAL fees, Timothy challenged the allocation of the fees, not the fees themselves. The court found that Timothy's income was substantially greater than Jennifer's and that Timothy had already paid the initial $2,000 fee to the GAL. It was not an abuse of discretion for the court to split the remainder of the GAL fee between the parties. See 19-A M.R.S. § 1507(7) (2011); Douglas, 2012 ME 67, ¶¶ 13, 24, 43 A.3d 965. [¶ 11] We find Timothy's remaining contentions unpersuasive and do not address them further. The entry is: Judgment affirmed.