Court Opinion

ID: 9709958
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 03:58:24.957523+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:53.020907
License: Public Domain

BAKER, Judge,
concurring.
Although I concur in the majority's opinion, I write separately to note that there were factors in this case which would support a deviation from the Indiana Child Support Guidelines (the Guidelines). The trial court appropriately concluded based on William's projected 1990 earnings of $1,227 per week and Cheryl's earning of $240 per week that William should be obligated to pay $825 per week in child support pursuant to the Guidelines. Other factors can affect the calculation, however.
The Guidelines anticipate that the custodial parent will be responsible for the uninsured medical expenses of the children. Ind. Child Support Guideline 8 (Commentary, p. 297, Indiana Rules of Court, West 1991). Such is not the case here, as William was ordered to pay the uninsured medical costs. The same Guidelines also anticipate, however, that the noncustodial parent will be responsible for the chil*941dren's expenses during visitation. Ind. Child Support Guideline 5 (Commentary, pp. 299-300, Indiana Rules of Court, West 1991). Here, the trial court denied William visitation with the children, thereby denying him the financial burdens associated with visitation. Cheryl will be required to make additional expenditures that she otherwise might not have made had William been awarded visitation with the children. Thus, a deviation from the guidelines would be warranted. Ind. Child Support Guideline 1 (Commentary, p. 287, Indiana Rules of Court, West 1991). In light of these factors, weighing in opposite directions, I agree with the majority that the trial court appropriately increased William's child support payments pursuant to the Guidelines.