Opinion ID: 1451183
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Equitable Estoppel Argument

Text: Deborah argues that the doctrine of equitable estoppel should apply to prevent a parent who has not actually had custody of the child from asserting a claim for child support arrearages. Deborah acknowledges that such an approach would violate the rigid rule against child support modifications, but she cites a line of Illinois cases which she claims have continued to apply equitable estoppel even after adopting the strict federal prohibition on retroactive modifications. Regardless of the merits of the argument, the entire equitable estoppel discussion is moot in this appeal. Deborah acknowledges that the application of equitable estoppel would not entitle her to an award of child support for the period in question (October 1991 to March 1992). She merely claims that the doctrine should prevent Billy from asserting a claim for child support for this same period. This argument is moot because Billy has asserted both to the superior court and this court that he is not attempting to collect child support for this period, but merely for January 1991 to September 1991.