Is a Child Support Order Void if it Does Not Mention Past Due Child Support?

In Arizona, the trial court is charged with determining the amount of child support due going forward as well as past child support that is due. Is a child support order void if it does not mention past due child support? In Lopez v. Barraza, 723 P. 2d 109 (1986) the Arizona Court of Appeals considered the issue.

Case Facts

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Child Support Division began giving support to a child born to Mrs. Lopez.

In October 1984, Mrs. Lopez and Mr. Lopez attended a meeting in the case worker’s office. In the meeting, the case worker prepared a formal paternity complaint, a summons and acceptance of service, and a form of judgment. Both parties signed the papers.

The only matters they put into the judgment were paternity and future child support payments. Mr. Lopez agreed to pay future child support of $150 per month. The judgment did not contain language about back support due or the medical expenses of the child.

Is a Child Support Order Void if it Does Not Mention Past Contributions Due?

The following year, Mrs. Lopez asked the court for contributions to back support. She also asked for medical costs she incurred to give birth to the child. The trial court denied her request. Mrs. Lopez appealed.

Statutory Language Permissive or Mandatory

Mrs. Lopez claims that A.R.S. § 12-849 requires the court to make an award for past care and support of the child. It also allows the court to award expenses for the birth.

Mr. Lopez argues that the judgment below was void since it did not contain either of these. The Court of Appeals ruled that section 12-849(A) and (B) are discretionary. It found that the statute gives the trial court the power to order such awards but does not make them mandatory.

Disposition

The Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court ruling.

Scottsdale Arizona Divorce Attorney.

Chris Hildebrand wrote this article to ensure everyone has access to information about family law in Arizona. Chris is a divorce and family law attorney at Hildebrand Law, PC. He has over 24 years of Arizona family law experience and has received multiple awards, including US News and World Report “Top Arizona Divorce Attorneys”, Phoenix Magazine “Top Divorce Law Firms”, and Arizona Foothills Magazine “Best of the Valley” award. He believes the policies and procedures he uses to get his clients through a divorce should all be guided by the principles of honesty, integrity, and, quite frankly, actually caring about what his clients are going through in a divorce or family law case. In short, his practice is defined by the success of his clients. He also manages all of the other attorneys at his firm to make sure the outcomes in their clients’ cases are successful as well.

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