Jessell v. Jessell
Jessell v. Jessell
Opinion of the Court
Affirmed. Although the child support award in this case placed a heavy financial burden on the father, we cannot conclude from the record that it is without support in the evidence or that there was an abuse of trial court discretion. E.g., Canafcaris v. Canakaris, 382 So.2d 1197 (Fla. 1980).
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
Appellant seeks review of the trial court’s order granting child support in excess of the support guidelines pursuant to section 61.30, Florida Statutes (1987), and in excess of appellee wife’s request at trial. I would affirm in part and reverse in part.
During trial, appellee testified that she needed $650.00 per month for child support, child care, medical bills and clothing. She further testified that she needed $400.00 per month rehabilitative alimony even though she planned to remain at her present position as office manager and had no intention to return for further education.
The trial court awarded appellee $650.00 per month permanent child support and an additional $310.00 per month for child care. These amounts were to -be paid solely by appellant even though appellee had the ability to contribute to the child’s support. My review of the record suggests that the trial court may have properly awarded the additional amounts in accordance with section 61.30(7) Florida Statutes (1987). I agree with the majority’s affirmance as to appellant’s first point on appeal.
However, appellant’s second point raises the issue of whether both parents are obligated to contribute to the support of their minor children. Kern v. Kern, 360 So.2d 482 (Fla. 4th DCA 1978). Section 61.30(9),
In the instant case, appellant husband is bearing the full brunt of child support while appellee pays nothing and has the ability to contribute. Moreover, the record is devoid of any finding or explanation by the trial court as to why it failed to apportion the child support award between both parents. The record does not support the imposition of the child support obligation solely on the shoulders of appellant.
I would reverse and remand on this point, and require the trial court to make specific findings of fact concerning each party’s ability to contribute to the child’s support. Unless specific findings would negate such a result, I would hold that the final judgment should require payment of child support in those proportions of the parties’ net income as determined by the factors enumerated in section 61.30, Florida Statutes (1987).
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.