Opinion ID: 1196970
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Application of the Child Support Guidelines

Text: Mother also argues that the trial court abused its discretion in applying the child support guidelines in a mechanical manner and in failing to apply them so as to maximize the benefit to the children. Mother cites us to cases in which we have recognized the importance of judicial discretion in arriving at a child support level which benefits the welfare and needs of the children in a particular case. Mother argues that had the trial court taken into account the particular circumstances of these children, as it was required to do, it would have been compelled to deviate from the presumptive child support level. We find nothing in the record before us to support the argument that the trial court failed to consider the particular circumstances of these children. The record reveals that the issues Mother now raises were thoroughly briefed and re-briefed in the trial court. The record also reveals that two hearings were held in which Mother presumably had the opportunity to argue and present evidence supporting the issues previously presented in her briefings. After the trial court issued its decision letter, but prior to entry of its order, Mother wrote a letter to the trial court again addressing several of the issues previously raised. The issues have been presented and re-presented, and there is nothing in the record to indicate the trial court failed to fully consider them. To the contrary, the record reveals that the trial court considered the arguments of Mother and found that several deductions taken by Father were not proper. The trial court added those amounts back in to arrive at an adjusted figure for Father's net income. That figure differed substantially from the net income figure claimed by Father. The difference was not sufficient, however, to result in a 20% change in support obligation required by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-6-306 (Lexis 1999). We have continuously recognized that in the final analysis child support decisions rest largely within the trial court's exercise of discretion based upon all of the surrounding circumstances that exist in any particular case. Sharpe v. Sharpe, 902 P.2d 210 (Wyo.1995). We cannot say from the record before us that the trial court abused its discretion in this particular case.