Opinion ID: 1383718
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Other Support Obligations

Text: Mr. Shearer also contends that the lower court erred by ordering that no part of the $600 voluntarily paid to the other child should be an offset to the amount owed to Mrs. Supcoe. West Virginia Code § 48-2-16(b)(15) provides that a court may consider other legal obligations in calculating child support payments. [2] Mr. Shearer contends that the $600 should be considered as an offset to the payments owed to Mrs. Supcoe even though that amount was not court-ordered. We disagree and affirm the judgment of the lower court on this issue. While Mr. Shearer's appellate brief does not address 78 CSR 16, Guidelines for Child Support Awards, we note that payments for the benefit of children are to be considered in the calculation of the obligor's net income. 78 CSR 16-2.1.8. The term payments for the benefit of children is defined in section 13.1 as an amount or amounts paid by a support obligor to third parties on a regular, recurring basis for the benefit of the support obligor's children, including, but not limited to, tuition, health care expense, hospital insurance, and medical, dental or optical insurance. While Mr. Shearer did present evidence regarding alleged monthly payments of $600 made on behalf of a second child, no legal obligation to make such payments was alleged. Nor was there any indication that the amount allegedly being paid was the amount which would have been required by law under the formula. Whatever amounts Mr. Shearer has paid in support of the second child were voluntary only. If payments made on behalf of other children are to be considered in determining child support obligations, documented evidence of such payments and court orders mandating such payments must be provided. In the absence of a valid court order requiring the obligor to pay child support for the benefit of another child, no deduction or credit should be provided. Otherwise, opportunities for collusion and subterfuge would abound.