Court Opinion

ID: 9657060
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 20:12:04.981376+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:40.354071
License: Public Domain

DYKMAN, J.
(dissenting). The majority concedes that in proceedings to modify child support, the trial court is not required to use percentage standards to determine child support. Abitz v. Abitz, 155 Wis. 2d 161, 179-80, 455 N.W.2d 609, 617 (1990). If percentage stan*459dards are not used, the court is to consider the needs of the custodial parent and children, the ability of the noncustodial parent to pay, and the parties' total economic circumstances. Weston v. Holt, 157 Wis. 2d 595, 602-03, 460 N.W.2d 776, 780 (Ct. App. 1990); sec. 767.32(1), Stats. Ironically, in Weston, we reversed the trial court because it did not consider the noncustodial parent's total economic circumstances. See id. at 604-05, 460 N.W.2d at 780-81. Here, the majority reverses the trial court because it did so.
The paramount goal of the child support statute is to promote the best interests of the child. Ondrasek v. Tenneson, 158 Wis. 2d 690, 695, 462 N.W.2d 915, 917 (1990). The trial court did that, and also considered the economic circumstances of the parties:
Mr. Halverson is making an income above the subsistence level, but certainly not to the point where he could pay what would be considered a full amount of child support. To order the full amount of child support at this particular point in time would benefit neither child.
Based on his income he can apparently adequately support the child in his custody, but not extensively or lavishly . . . [a]nd to . . . use the guidelines would in essence be robbing Peter to pay Paul.
In addition, he's already paying some other expenses, insurance, clothing, etc. But there is some ability to pay some minimal payment for child support.
Accordingly, I am. . . going to order that he will make a payment of $50 per month as and for support to be payable on the 1st and the 15th of each month.
The majority directs the trial court to do what it has already done, but to avoid considering whatever impact *460AFDC may have on Darnese's finances. The trial court has already found, and will presumably again find, that David is making an income above the subsistence level, but that he cannot pay more than a minimal payment for child support. Earning capacity is, of course, the major factor a trial court considers in applying sec. 767.32(1), Stats.,1 which the majority directs the trial court to use when it again considers the amount of child support David should pay.
Orders setting child support lie within the trial court's discretion. Resong v. Vier, 157 Wis. 2d 382, 387, 459 N.W.2d 591, 593 (Ct. App. 1990). We will not find an abuse of discretion if the record shows that there is a reasonable basis for the trial court's determination. In re R.P.R., 98 Wis. 2d 613, 619, 297 N.W.2d 833, 836 (1980).
Ordinarily, we would review the record to see whether the record supports the trial court's decision to set support at $50 per month. Though there is some conflict in the testimony, we customarily resolve factual conflicts in favor of the trial court's findings. State v. Marty, 137 Wis. 2d 352, 359, 404 N.W.2d 120, 123 (Ct. App. 1987). Using that standard, it is clear that there is support for the trial court's conclusion.
The majority does not explain why it deviates from our usual method of deciding cases where the trial court considers an impermissible factor, but the record as a whole supports the trial court's conclusion. The result expends judicial resources unnecessarily, and reallocates funds better spent for child support to litigation expenses. Were I writing for the majority, I would affirm the trial court's support award because it is supported by *461the record which shows that David's ability to pay support is about $50 per month.

 Section 767.32(1), Stats., provides in part:
Any change in child support because of alleged change in circumstances shall take into consideration each parent's earning capacity and total economic circumstances.