Court Opinion

ID: 9884446
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-06 02:57:35.388713+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:48:38.574821
License: Public Domain

HUSPENI, Judge
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
The trial court made findings regarding the incomes of both parties and drew only two conclusions:
(1) that [appellant’s] increase in income from $18,629.00 in 1981 to $20,-863.00 in 1987 represents a substantial increase within the meaning of Minn. Stat. 518.64.
(2) that applying the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines to [appellant’s] current income results in an ongoing monthly obligation of $300.25.
Inasmuch as the trial court based the increase in child support solely on the change in appellant’s income between the years 1981 and 1987, I agree with the majority that the rationale of Santoro v. Ramsey, 366 N.W.2d 698 (Minn.Ct.App.1985) applies. However, I am troubled by the trial court’s failure to address those factors present in this case which, I submit, could constitute a change in circumstances and could sustain an increase in child support.
The trial court did not make findings on the expenses of each party, nor did it make any finding as to the needs and expenses of the minor child.1
The trial court did find that respondent “brings in approximately $10,000 per year” through self-employment as a day care provider. Clearly, respondent has been attempting to provide for the needs of herself and the parties’ minor child during the past several years on her income plus modest child support. The $175.00 per month level was stipulated to by the parties at the time of the dissolution, and while advisory to the trial court only, was approved. See Compart v. Compart, 417 N.W.2d 658 (Minn.Ct.App.1988). This circumstance of modest stipulated support, among others, would be appropriate for trial court inquiry at the time a motion for increased child support was brought.
I would remand this matter for reconsideration of all those factors other than obli-gor’s income, which could have and should have been included in determining whether there had been a substantial change in circumstances making the award of child support unreasonable and unfair.

. The trial court stated: "[appellant] estimates his monthly living expenses in the amount of $1,576.00 and * * * [respondent] estimates * * * the monthly living expenses for herself and the minor child to be $1,337.83”. I submit these are not actual findings of the trial court at all, but merely a recital of what the parties themselves claim to be their respective circumstances.