Opinion ID: 1660076
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: whether an award of child support is proper where counsel for the moving party failed to place into the record any evidence of the respondent's present income, the needs of the child, or the respondent's present ability to pay the child support award.

Text: Marvin argues that the chancellor abused his discretion in awarding child support without taking into consideration all the relevant factors  in particular, Marvin's ability to pay. Marvin notes that he has remarried and has custody of Tracee's sister, and contends that the evidence of his circumstances at the March 9th hearing was insufficient. He also contends that the record is similarly devoid of any evidence on Tracee's actual needs. Christine argues that the record shows that Marvin did not have difficulty paying $400.00 a month (when he was paying Christine support for both daughters), and that he is still employed at the same company at the same job; therefore, he can still afford $250.00 per month. She also argues that the chancellor's reasoning that costs have gone up, justifying an increase, was within the chancellor's discretion. Finally, she contends that since Marvin stated at the April 23rd hearing that he had no objection to paying child support, he effectively waived this issue on appeal. Decisions regarding modification of child support are within the discretion of the chancellor, and this Court will reverse only where there is manifest error in findings of fact, or an abuse of discretion. Hammett v. Woods, 602 So.2d 825, 828 (Miss. 1992); Lawrence v. Lawrence, 574 So.2d 1376 (Miss. 1991). The party seeking modification must show a material change of circumstances of the father, mother, or children arising subsequent to the original decree. McEachern v. McEachern, 605 So.2d 809, 813 (Miss. 1992); Cox v. Moulds, 490 So.2d 866, 869 (Miss. 1986). The factors to be considered are 1) increased needs of children due to advanced age and maturity; 2) increase in expenses; 3) inflation; 4) relative financial condition and earning capacity of the parties; 5) health and special medical needs of the child, both physical and psychological; 6) health and special medical needs of the parents, both physical and psychological; 7) necessary living expenses of the father; 8) estimated amount of income taxes each party must pay; 9) free use of residence, furnishings, and automobile; and 10) other facts and circumstances bearing on the support as shown by the evidence. McEachern v. McEachern, 605 So.2d at 813 (Miss. 1992); Adams v. Adams, 467 So.2d 211, 215 (Miss. 1985). In the case at bar, the only evidence concerning Marvin's ability to pay was Christine's testimony that he still worked at Texas Eastern, and that he had had no difficulty paying $400.00 per month when that was required. Moreover, there was no evidence presented concerning the other relevant factors  for example, Christine's income, or lack thereof. Finally, because Marvin was not present at the March 9th hearing, he was unable to testify as to his capacity to pay, or to question Christine's statements concerning Tracee's needs. It is true that Marvin stated at the April 23rd hearing that he had no objection to paying child support. It is also true that the chancellor's award of $250.00 per month support for sixteen year old Tracee was probably reasonable. However, in reviewing an award of child support, as any matter, this Court looks to the record to see if sufficient evidence supports the chancellor's findings. See, e.g., Hammett v. Woods, 602 So.2d at 828-829 (Miss. 1992) (no substantial evidence in record to support increase in support obligation). The award of child support in the amount of $250.00 per month is reversed and remanded for more complete findings on the factors articulated above, and consideration of same.