Opinion ID: 2581416
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the imputation of employment to a full time student must be analyzed on a case by case basis.

Text: Following trial in the magistrate division, this Court issued the decision in Humberger v. Humberger, 134 Idaho 39, 995 P.2d 809 (2000). In Humberger, the Court affirmed the decision of the trial court that the parent who was a full-time student was voluntarily unemployed for purposes of determining child support. That student had a history of employment prior to going to school but did not seek employment while a student. This Court determined that Section 6(c)(1)(b) of the Guidelines specifically contemplates that a parent student who does not work is voluntarily unemployed and that the parent's potential earned monthly income may be calculated by considering student loans for purposes of child support. Humberger, 134 Idaho at 43, 995 P.2d at 813. I.C.S.G. 6(c)(1)(b) states that in calculating potential income [w]here a parent is a student, potential monthly income during the school term may be determined by considering student loans from any source. The trial court has the discretion to figure a parent's potential gross income by considering the parent's potential and probable earnings based on work history, occupational qualifications, and prevailing job opportunities and earnings levels in the community. I.C.S.G. § 6(c)(1)(a). Assuming the ability to be employed, a parent student must have some income attributed to him or her and must be responsible for some allocation of support. Humberger, 134 Idaho at 43, 995 P.2d at 813. Humberger does not, however, dictate that full-time employment be attributed to a student. The factors in the child support guidelines must be considered, and a decision as to the amount of income attributed to the full-time student must be determined by the exercise of discretion in the application of the guidelines. The trial court should evaluate this issue in light of Humberger, which in the exercise of discretion may or may not produce a different result.