Court Opinion

ID: 9704238
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 00:27:39.941308+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:58.990507
License: Public Domain

CRIPPEN, Judge
(concurring specially).
I concur with the majority opinion. Determining the amount of Gregory Forrest’s support obligation by referring only to statutory guideline charts, the trial court increased the monthly sum from $100 to $415. A markedly different approach is required by Moylan v. Moylan, 384 N.W.2d 859 (Minn.1986).
As the majority opinion indicates, the trial court acted within its discretion in deciding that the original support amount had become unreasonably low. Before Moylan, this plea for modification required an all-or-nothing decision, resulting alternatively in a monthly support award of $100 or $415. Now, acting under Moylan, there must be a second look at the facts supporting change to find indications of the amount of change that is reasonable and necessary. •
Factors that had one meaning on the question whether to modify have different meaning when the amount of support is determined. Thus, as indicated in the majority opinion, only increases in Debra Quaderer’s needs were relevant to the modification question, but all her needs are relevant in setting support. On the other hand, Forrest could not resist modification by asserting that his 1983 income relative to his reasonable needs was limited, because the change of his income was significant; however, when child support is set there must be an objective look at his'ability to pay, not just his increased income.
An important issue on remand is the fact question on Forrest’s reasonable needs. This factor should have had more attention when the trial court considered whether modification was appropriate. While I have agreed that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in deciding to modify the support award, it must be recognized that this decision was based singularly on Forrest’s increase in income; Quaderer’s increased needs were offset by her increased income. Proof of an increase in Forrest’s income had less significance to the extent it was offset by reasonable increases in his expenses. The remand and reconsideration of this factor should correct any prior oversight of the issue.
As we have this first occasion to apply the Moylan holding, two other questions have arisen and should be briefly addressed.
1. What are the “factors” to be weighed in determining the amount of support?
Although Moylan dealt with modification of an award, the decision addressed more generally the topic of setting support. As the majority opinion states, Moylan called for a two-step analysis in modification eases. Id. at 864. Once cause is found for modification, the statute permits, the supreme court noted, a new determination according to laws governing the setting of support in an “original proceeding.” Minn. Stat. § 518.64, subd. 1 (1984). See Moylan, 384 N.W.2d at 864.
The remand ordered in Moylan called for findings on factors listed in the modification statute. Id. at 865 (citing Minn.Stat. § 518.64). This statute identifies these factors: “increased or decreased earnings of a party,” “increased or decreased need of a party,” and “the needs of the children.” Minn.Stat. § 518.64, subd. 2. In addition, it is evident under Moylan that other statutory language is involved in the second step of the modification analysis, setting the new amount of support according to what might be done in an “original proceeding.” See Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 4 (1984). Somewhat similar factors bear on original support determinations, although the statute speaks of parental “resources” rather than income. Id. § 518.17, subd. 4(b), (e). Also, the statute refers to the needs of the child generally, but also requires attention to “educational needs” and the “physical and emotional condition of the child.” Id. § 518.17, subd. 4(a), (d). *459Moreover, when measuring the child’s needs, the court must keep in mind the standard of living the parents might have provided had they remained married. Id. § 518.17, subd. 4(c). The trial court must also consider the child’s “resources,” presumably having regard for assets or income of the child other than parental earnings. Id. § 518.17, subd. 4(a). (Under new legislation, these portions of section 518.17 are included in the language of the guidelines statute, section 518.551. 1986 Minn. Laws ch. 406, § 4.)
In sum, according to my reading of Minnesota’s statutory scheme, the amount of support is determined by considering six factors:
(i) The obligor’s income, or “resources.”
(ii) The obligor’s needs.
(iii) The custodial parent’s income, or “resources.”
(iv) The custodial parent’s needs.
(v) The child’s needs, including special health and education needs, and keeping in mind a standard of living appropriate to the circumstances of the parents.
(vi) Resources of the child other than income or resources of parents.
2. Does application of Moylan signal an appellate court approach that has adverse policy implications?
It is apparent that the demand for particularized findings on child support issues taxes the trial courts in cases that have not previously enjoyed such careful scrutiny. Moreover, the approach may produce awards at variance with the guideline charts. Each of these consequences is necessary to meet vital policy needs.
The new demands for particularized findings are in accord with long-established disciplines for family law cases. See, e.g., Wallin v. Wallin, 290 Minn. 261, 267, 187 N.W.2d 627, 631 (1971). These disciplines are essential for effective appellate review and for showing parties the reasons for a judicial decision. Moylan, 384 N.W.2d at 863; see Rosenfeld v. Rosenfeld, 311 Minn. 76, 82, 249 N.W.2d 168, 171 (1976). While the demand for careful findings is burdensome, we are no longer at liberty to affirm decisions where material statutory considerations may have been overlooked.
Judicial respect for Minnesota’s statutory child support guidelines has progressively and firmly increased the level of support for children from noncustodial parents, reducing the price children pay for difficulties of their parents. While future decisions may vary from the rigid guideline approach, the discipline of particularized findings offers children and both parents the benefits of a careful, complete judicial analysis of support obligations. Moreover, children remain entitled to parental support that is “necessary” and “reasonable,” and it remains the obligation of the judiciary to protect this entitlement. See Minn.Stat. § 518.17, subd. 4; 1986 Minn.Laws ch. 406, § 4.