Howell v. Howell

By Judge William H. Ledbetter, Jr.

The controversy in this child support appeal is whether income should be imputed to the father.

Facts

Mr. and Mrs. Howell were married in 1992. Two children were born of the marriage: Michelle, eleven, and Robert, ten. The parties separated in June 2001 amid accusations of Mr. Howell’s infidelity and, even more serious, accusations that he had taken indecent liberties with Mrs. Howell’s daughter by a previous marriage.

A month after the separation, Mrs. Howell petitioned the juvenile court for child support. At the time, Mr. Howell worked as a route driver for…