Opinion ID: 1751702
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Reduction of Child Support Award

Text: Agnes first alleges that the trial court incorrectly calculated Kenneth's net monthly income thereby making his monthly child support obligation too small. However, while Agnes shows the court her own calculations of Kenneth's net monthly income, she fails to in any way explain why the trial court's calculations are in error. Both Agnes and the trial court begin their calculations of Kenneth's net monthly income with the same gross monthly figure of $9,939.08. However, the trial court deducts $896.10 for Social Security/Medicare while Agnes deducts only $599.89. Likewise, the trial court deducts $3,068.78 for federal income tax, whereas Agnes deducts only $2,707.10. While Agnes furnishes computations for her differing figures and states that the trial court's figures are incorrect, she fails to explain why or how the trial court's calculations are in error. We are not in a position to recalculate Kenneth's net monthly income in an effort to explain the difference between Agnes' and the court's figures and decline to do so. Because Agnes does not demonstrate why the trial court's calculations are in error, we are not left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. In re Proceedings for Deposit in Court, 417 N.W.2d 187, 188 (S.D.1987). We thus affirm the trial court's findings as to Kenneth's net monthly income. Likewise, we do not find, nor does Agnes argue, that the trial court misapplied the child support guidelines once Kenneth's net monthly income was determined. The trial court determined Kenneth's net monthly income to be $5,974.20 and Agnes' to be $843.40. The combined monthly incomes total $6,817.60 and exceed the maximum amount listed on the child support obligation schedule found at SDCL 25-7-6.2. Using an acceptable method of calculating child support, the trial court found the parties' income to be 170% of the top income ($4000.00) listed on the support guideline table. Based on that extrapolation, the trial court made the following calculations: Father's net monthly income $ 5,974.20 (88%) Mother's net monthly income $ 843.40 (12%) Total net monthly income $ 6,817.60 Monthly support obligation for one child (170% of $637) = $1,082.90 Monthly support obligation for two children (170% of $987) = $1,677.90 Mother's obligation for two children residing with Father (12% of $1,677.90) = $ 201.35 Father's obligation for one child residing with Mother (88% of $1,082.90) = $ 952.95 Father's net obligation after reducing for Mother's obligation ($952.95 - $201.35) = $ 751.60 This court will overturn a trial court's findings of fact only when they are clearly erroneous. Id. After reviewing the trial court's calculations, we are not left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Id. We therefore affirm the trial court's determination of $751.60 as the appropriate amount of child support.