Thompson v. Boivin, Unpublished Decision (9-6-2002)
Thompson v. Boivin, Unpublished Decision (9-6-2002)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On June 14, 2001, Boivin filed a motion to reduce his child-support obligation. At the time Boivin filed his motion, both parties' annual gross income had increased. Boivin's income had increased to approximately $100,000, and Thompson's income had increased to $118,000. Substituting the new income figures for those on the original child-support worksheet would have resulted in an increase in the amount of child support payable by Boivin; however, it would have been less than the ten-percent difference required by R.C.
{¶ 3} Boivin argued that he was entitled to a reduction in his child-support obligation pursuant to R.C.
{¶ 4} Boivin's first assignment of error alleges the following:
{¶ 5} The trial court erred when it interpreted the newly enacted R.C.
3119.04 and related statutes.{¶ 6} Former R.C.
3113.215 (B)(2)(b), which was in effect at the time the parties' decree of divorce was entered, provided,{¶ 7} If the combined gross income of both parents is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars per year, the court or agency shall determine the amount of the obligor's child support obligation on a case-by-case basis and shall consider the needs and the standard of living of the children who are the subject of the child support order and of the parents. When the court or agency determines the amount of the obligor's child support obligation for parents with a combined gross income greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars, the court or agency shall compute a basic combined child support obligation that is no less than the same percentage of the parents' combined annual income that would have been computed under the basic child support schedule and under the applicable worksheet in division (E) of this section, through line 24, or in division (F) of this section, through line 23, for a combined gross income of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, unless the court or agency determines that it would be unjust or inappropriate and would not be in the best interest of the child, obligor, or obligee to order that amount and enters in the journal the figure, determinations and findings. [Emphasis ours.]
{¶ 8} Effective March 22, 2001, R.C.
3113.215 (B)(2)(b) was replaced by R.C.3119.04 (B). R.C.3119.04 (B) provides,{¶ 9} If the combined gross income of both parents is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars per year, the court, with respect to a court child support order, or the child support enforcement agency, with respect to an administrative child support order, shall determine the amount of the obligor's child support obligation on a case-by-case basis and shall consider the needs and the standard of living of the children who are the subject of the child support order and of the parents. The court or agency shall compute a basic combined child support obligation that is no less than the obligation that would have been computed under the basic child support schedule and applicable worksheet for a combined gross income of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, unless the court or agency determines that it would be unjust or inappropriate and would not be in the best interest of the child, obligor, or obligee to order that amount. If the court or agency makes such a determination, it shall enter in the journal the figure, determination, and findings. [Emphasis ours.]
{¶ 10} R.C.
{¶ 11} If an obligor or obligee under a child support order requests that the court modify the amount of support required to be paid pursuant to the child support order, the court shall recalculate the amount of support that would be required to be paid under the child support order in accordance with the schedule and the applicable worksheet through the line establishing the actual obligation. If that amount as recalculated is more than ten percent greater than or more than ten percent less than the amount of child support required to be paid pursuant to the existing child support order, the deviation from the recalculated amount that would be required to be paid under the schedule and the applicable worksheet shall be considered by the court as a change of circumstance substantial enough to require a modification of the child support order.
{¶ 12} Boivin argues that under the old statute, R.C.
3113.215 (B)(2)(b), the starting point for determining the child-support obligation for parents with a combined annual income of more than $150,000 was taking the percentage that would be paid as child support and multiplying that percentage by their combined annual income. For example, the scheduled child-support obligation for parents with two children and a combined annual income of $150,000 is $21,971. $21,971 is 14.647% of $150,000. Therefore, the percentage of income scheduled as child support for parents with two children and a combined annual income of $150,000 is 14.647%. Multiplying 14.647% by $218,000, the parties' present combined annual income, results in a joint child-support obligation of $31,930. If Boivin earns 45.9% of the total income, the starting point for determining his annual support obligation would be $13,379.
{¶ 13} Boivin further argues that pursuant to the new statute, R.C.
{¶ 14} R.C.
{¶ 15} It is presumed that in enacting any statute the legislature intended a just and reasonable result. See R.C.
{¶ 16} We hold that parties under an existing child-support order must demonstrate a substantial change in their financial circumstances resulting in a ten-percent difference in the amount of child support due under the existing order to meet the requirements of R.C.
{¶ 17} It is clear from the record that Boivin is unable to meet the ten-percent requirement of R.C.
{¶ 18} The second assignment of error essentially alleges that the trial court erred in affirming the magistrate's dismissal of Boivin's motion for a reduction in child support. Boivin argues that he did not waive the issue of whether there are other "changes in circumstances" beyond the ten-percent rule of R.C.
{¶ 19} We hold that the magistrate erred in dismissing Boivin's motion without affording him an opportunity to present evidence as to any change in circumstances, other than the ten-percent rule of R.C.
{¶ 20} The judgment of trial court is affirmed in part and reversed in part, and this cause is remanded for further proceedings consistent with law and this Decision.
Judgment affirmed in part and reversed in part, and cause remanded.
Gorman and Winkler, JJ., concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.