Opinion ID: 1931169
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether the chancellor erred in his may 3, 2001, interim order wherein he deemed the four adult children of the parties were necessary parties to the action.

Text: ¶ 22. In this case, Cheryl is attempting to collect unpaid child support years after her children were emancipated. On the issue of who was the proper party to sue Woodrow, the defaulting parent, we have held either the custodial parent or the child can bring the action: That the child has been emancipated does not pretermit recovery of vested but unpaid child support. Either the child or the former custodial parent may bring an action against the defaulting parent, although the latter receives any recovery in his/her fiduciary capacity subject to all of the duties and strictures thereof. If by reason of the supporting parent's default, the custodial parent is forced to dip into her own resources beyond what would otherwise be expected of her, she may recover and retain amounts so proved, subject to equitable adjustment should the child's prior needs so suggest. Varner v. Varner, 588 So.2d 428, 433 (Miss.1991). See also Vice v. Dep't of Human Servs., 702 So.2d 397, 401-02 (Miss.1997). According to Varner and its progeny, the custodial parent can sue the defaulting parent for unpaid support notwithstanding the child's emancipation subject to her fiduciary duties to the child/children. The custodial parent would be entitled to reimbursement for expending her own resources if she proves such. Cheryl presented no such proof. Rather, she has doggedly sought the unpaid child support on her own behalf. This motivation is evidenced by her attorney's preparing assignments whereby the children joined the action, waived process, and assigned all of their rights to her. ¶ 23. Cheryl notes that the children have the opportunity to assert a claim against her for the money that they feel is rightfully theirs. The only child to be deposed, Darren, indicated that he had no claim against his father. Cheryl undoubtedly has standing to pursue the unpaid support, but as we held in Wilson v. Wilson, 464 So.2d 496, 499 (Miss.1985), The custodial parent is merely the conduit through which the support money passes for the benefit of the children. It is not clear whether Darren knows he has a right to the money. Because of a lack of evidence to the contrary, we find it more believable that Cheryl is trying to collect the money for herself and that she has failed to establish that the chancellor was manifestly in error in ordering the children joined as necessary parties.