Opinion ID: 1172852
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the Trial Court Err in Awarding Susan Only $350 per Child per Month Support Payments?

Text: Pursuant to AS 25.24.160(2), the trial court ordered Ronald to pay Susan $350 per month per child support payments, and ordered Susan to pay Ronald $100 per month child support for Ron, Jr. The order of the trial court should be reversed only if this court has a definite and firm conviction based on the record as a whole that a mistake has been made or the trial court abused its discretion. Faro v. Faro, 579 P.2d 1377, 1380 (Alaska 1978); Brenton v. Brenton, 564 P.2d 1225 (Alaska 1977). It is permissible to equitably allocate the burden of raising children. In the child support modification context we have required trial courts to examine the relative financial situations of the parties and the total cost of supporting the children. Headlough v. Headlough, 639 P.2d 1010, 1013-14 (Alaska 1982); Curley v. Curley, 588 P.2d 289, 292 (Alaska 1979). We see no reason why these principles should not extend to initial child support award determinations. Susan claims no income, with expenses for herself and two children totaling $3,197 per month. Ronald shows a net monthly income of $6,225 with monthly expenses for himself and one child of $4,072. His income exceeds his expenses by $2,153 per month, and his expenses, for himself and one child exceed those for his wife and two children by approximately $900 per month. It is clear that Ronald could well afford substantially higher child support than is required of him, without requiring him to restrict his own lifestyle, while Susan will have to invade her equities substantially to maintain the children's accustomed standard of living. Even if she takes $20,000 a year out of her equities, or was earning $20,000 a year, that would still leave a significant balance to be made up by her over and above that which Ronald is required to pay. It is not to be forgotten that she is paying $100 a month for the support of their son, so the net effect is that she receives child support in the amount of $600 per month, not $700. We therefore conclude that the child support award was inadequate and remand this issue to the trial court. Upon reconsideration the trial court should specifically identify the reasonable needs of the two children, considering the station in life to which they are accustomed and the ability of the parents to meet those needs. The decision of the superior court is AFFIRMED in part, REVERSED in part and REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.