Court Opinion

ID: 9619397
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:27:18.86344+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:04:40.354566
License: Public Domain

Terry Crabtree, Judge, concurring. Although I agree with the majority’s decision, I write separately to point out to the trial court that it should take into account specific considerations before determining appellee’s child-support obligation. I am troubled by the idea that a physician who has a substantial retirement account, twenty-six horses, a chicken farm, and a medical practice is required to pay a negligible amount of child support. The majority opinion states that the trial court may consider appellee’s other resources in reaching its decision. However, I am convinced that the trial court must consider appellee’s other resources, including her securities along with the equity in the farming operation and her medical practice. See Office of Child Support Enforcement v. Longnecker, 67 Ark. App. 215, 997 S.W.2d 445 (1999). The supreme court and this court have interpreted “income” broadly for purposes of arriving at a proper amount of child support. McWhorter v. McWhorter, 346 Ark. 475, 58 S.W.3d 840 (2001); Longnecker, supra. Moreover, the trial court is instructed to consider the amount the payor is capable of earning or a net worth approach based on property, life-style, etc. In Re: Administrative Order No. 10: Arkansas Child Support Guidelines, 331 Ark. Appx. 581 (1998). The trial court should acknowledge that appellee has funds to maintain and operate her farming endeavors. Recently, appellee even purchased a new tractor for her farm. I recognize that farming requires a large amount of funding to operate on a monthly basis. How is it that appellee can find sufficient funds to feed her chickens and twenty-six horses but not her daughter? I believe that the circuit court should look to the chicken and horse operations and review its expenses and profits carefully. In addition, the trial court should closely examine appellee’s $90,000 securities and the equity in her medical practice. Without considering each and every resource available to appellee, the trial court cannot adequately determine how much child support appellee is obligated to pay. Accordingly, I expect the trial court to examine each upon remand.