Opinion ID: 1937915
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: whether the trial court abused its discretion in setting child support.

Text: The trial court properly determined husband's net monthly income to be $435.75 based on his 1987 federal income tax return. The guidelines indicate that child support for one child, in husband's bracket of net monthly income, should be set between $65 and $78 per month. The trial court deviated from the guidelines and set support at $148 per month. SDCL 25-7-7 permits deviation only upon the entry of specific findings based upon the following factors: (1) Financial condition of the parents, including, but not limited to, income of a new spouse or contribution of a third party to the income or expenses of that parent; (2) The standard of living of the child; (3) The age and special needs of the child; (4) The effect of provisions relating to custody and visitation; or (5) Child care. The trial court considered these factors and specifically noted that the deviation was reasonable considering the child care expenses to be incurred by wife and the contribution husband's parents make by providing him with meals and at times deferring loan principal payments. The deviation by the trial court was properly made. See Bruning v. Jeffries, 422 N.W.2d 579 (S.D.1988).