Ainsworth v. Ainsworth

This action for modification of child support calls upon us to interpret Vermont’s recently enacted child support guidelines law, 15 V.S.A. §§ 650-663. Specifically at issue is whether expenses for a second family should enter into the determination of child support for the preexisting family. Although the trial court decided that defendant, Reginald Ainsworth, did not have a duty to support his stepson under 15 V.S.A. § 296, it held, pursuant to § 659, that a child support order based on the guidelines sought by plaintiff, Julie Ann Ainsworth, on her behalf and on behalf of the two children…