Opinion ID: 2013815
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: consideration of lump-sum award

Text: Todd's first assignment of error is that the district court erred in including [Todd]'s workers [sic] compensation award as child support. Todd's arguments supporting this assignment of error are not entirely clear. However, those arguments, as best we can interpret them, are without merit. Todd first contends that the district court erred in that it both deviated from the child support guidelines and attempted to apply them in the same case. Brief for appellant at 15. There is no basis in the record for Todd's claim that the district court deviated from the child support guidelines. The child support order entered by the district court is consistent with the amount prescribed by table 1 of the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines (Guidelines), and there is no indication in the court's findings that a deviation from the Guidelines was considered. See Brooks v. Brooks, 261 Neb. 289, 622 N.W.2d 670 (2001) (reason for deviation shall be contained in findings of decree and worksheet 5 of Guidelines should be filed in court file). Todd also argues that the district court's order erroneously treated his workers' compensation award as income. However, it is well established that a workers' compensation award, to the extent that it compensates for lost earning capacity, may be considered as income under the Guidelines. See, generally, Pawlusiak v. Pawlusiak, 264 Neb. 1, 645 N.W.2d 773 (2002); Becker v. Becker, 6 Neb.App. 277, 573 N.W.2d 485 (1997). See, also, In re Marriage of Swan, 526 N.W.2d 320 (Iowa 1995). Moreover, Todd's argument is premised on a misunderstanding of the district court's order. The district court did not determine that Todd's workers' compensation award was to be treated as income; instead, the district court simply determined that the award was available to satisfy Todd's child support obligation. The calculations made by the district court are not consistent with basing Todd's income on either his workers' compensation award or his Social Security benefits; rather, it is evident that the district court determined Todd's earning capacity based on his earnings from Anderson Drywall. While it would have been preferable had the district court specifically stated the basis for its income calculations on the record, a determination of Todd's earning capacity based on his Anderson Drywall earnings is the only conclusion consistent with the evidence. The district court determined Todd's gross income, for child support purposes, to be $1,733.33, which is equal to a weekly gross income of $400 annualized and divided by 12. See Guidelines, paragraph D (explaining formula for determining monthly income). The apparent basis for this determination is Todd's earnings at Anderson Drywall, where Todd was paid $10 per hour and often worked 40 or more hours per week. Under the Guidelines, paragraph D, earning capacity may be considered in lieu of a parent's actual, present income and may include factors such as work history, education, occupational skills, and job opportunities. Wagner v. Wagner, 262 Neb. 924, 636 N.W.2d 879 (2001). Earning capacity may be used as a basis for an initial determination of child support under the Guidelines where there is some evidence that the parent is capable of realizing such capacity through reasonable effort. See State v. Porter, 259 Neb. 366, 610 N.W.2d 23 (2000). In this case, Todd's pay stubs from Anderson Drywall provide evidence that Todd is capable of earning $400 per week in gross income. While Todd testified that he was no longer working because of injury, the district court was not required to credit this testimony, particularly where no evidence was presented to corroborate this claim. In any event, Todd has not assigned error relating to the basis on which the district court actually determined his earning capacity. See Mondelli v. Kendel Homes Corp., 262 Neb. 263, 631 N.W.2d 846 (2001) (error must be assigned and argued to be considered by appellate court), modified 262 Neb. 663, 641 N.W.2d 624. The district court's determination of Todd's income is supported by the record and does not constitute an abuse of discretion. Consequently, Todd's assignment of error is without merit.