Opinion ID: 2361145
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Child Support Order

Text: The court, noting that the parties had not presented sufficient evidence to calculate the support amount based on the guidelines, did not attempt such a calculation or make findings on the issue. Instead, the court estimated a monthly support amount of $1500, and invited the parties, if they wished to litigate the issue, to request a hearing before the magistrate. See 4 V.S.A. § 461(a)(1) (magistrate has jurisdiction to hear proceedings for establishment, modification and enforcement of child support). Although unusual, the court's order was reasonable under the circumstances. The $1500 estimate was not significantly higher than the $1350 per month set in a temporary order in 1992; moreover, the court may have believed that the parties would prefer to accept the estimate rather than engage in another expensive legal dispute. In any event, if one of the parties was dissatisfied, she or he could take the issue to the magistrate for resolution. Disregarding this instruction, Ellen instead seeks to contest the child support order on appeal. She argues that Tom should be required to pay $2000 a month in child support, rather than $1500 as ordered by the court. This Court, however, is in no better position than the trial court to determine the appropriate amount of child support. If the parties wish to continue this dispute, they should present their evidence and arguments to the magistrate.