Opinion ID: 1953873
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issues two and three

Text: Per these decisions (stare decisis), trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying an increase of child support: State of Kansas, ex rel. Adams v. Adams, 455 N.W.2d 227 (S.D.1990); Peterson v. Peterson, 434 N.W.2d 732, 734 (S.D.1989); Havens v. Henning, 418 N.W.2d 311 (S.D.1988); Guindon v. Guindon, 256 N.W.2d 894 (S.D.1977). See also, statutes cited in my special writing in Earley v. Earley, 484 N.W.2d 125, 130 (S.D.1992) (Henderson, J., concurring in part; dissenting in part), specifically SDCL 25-7-6.10(2) wherein a circuit judge may consider Any financial condition of either parent which would make application of the schedule inequitable. Here, additionally, trial court considered SDCL 25-7-6.2 by establishing the child support obligation at an appropriate level after taking into account the actual needs and standard of living of the child. See, SDCL 25-7-6.9 for discretionary power vested where there is combined net income above the schedule set forth in SDCL 25-7-6.2. Designer clothes? Language camps? These are actual needs? Rule of law is certain and its application is plain to apply the facts. No abuse of discretion. Trial courts should be allowed to exercise their discretion. We should not turn a trial judge into a legal robot or automaton. Nelson v. Nelson, 454 N.W.2d 533, 538 (S.D.1990) (Henderson, J., concurring in result).