Opinion ID: 1213934
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Judicial Determination

Text: Finally, while I recognize the source of the majority's conclusion that the ability to pay determination can be made administratively or judicially, [11] I think it should be made solely in a judicial forum. The issues that need to be examined, including the necessity of the expenses in the first instance, [12] demand appropriate consideration of all relevant factorsconsiderations that warrant both judicial expertise and experience. Moreover, since a judicial officer typically makes determinations of an individual's ability to pay for child support and spousal support purposes, it stands to reason that judicial officers should be permitted to apply those same factors to resolve the ability to pay issues pertaining to this particular type of support. [13] See W.Va.Code § 48-1-244(3). Based on the foregoing, I respectfully concur, in part, and dissent, in part.