BREAKING NEWS IN THE STEVE NASH DIVORCE CASE FOR WEALTHY PARENTS SEEKING UPWARD MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT IN A DIVORCE CASE
On July 23, 2013, the Arizona Court of Appeals entered a ruling in the Steve Nash divorce case that applies to parents seeking more money in child support than the AZ Child Support Guidelines provide.
Mom was seeking $22,500 per month in child support. The Arizona Guidelines provide that Mom was entitled to $2,795 per month, plus certain medical and dental expenses and childcare and education expenses. Trial court denied Mother the $22,500 per month she requested.
The Court of Appeals said the trial court erred and that Mother only had to prove that some upward deviation was in the best interests of the children, then the court can grant whatever amount of upward deviation it finds supported by the evidence.
From here the case will go back to the lower court (or settle) and Mom will end up with child support somewhere between $2,795 per month, plus expenses and $22,500 per month.
The Court of Appeals went on to say that in AZ “child support should permit the children of such a marriage (meaning a marriage of significant wealth) to continue to enjoy the reasonable benefits they had while their parents were married.” In this case, that includes international travel and vacations, but not necessarily private jets to get there!!! So sayeth the Arizona Court of Appeals.