Reynolds v. Reynolds

John I. Purtle, Justice,

concurring. In spite of the fact that the trial court did not find a change in circumstances, this court “on de novo review” finds such a change in order to affirm the chancellor. I have no disagreement with the amount of support ordered, but in my opinion the only change of conditions here is that this young divorcee moved out of her parent’s home and purchased a house and a new car. Will conditions change if she buys a bigger house and a more expensive car?

We have again evaded the question which the bench and bar have wanted answered: May the chancellor establish child support payments based solely on the child support chart published by the Family Law Section of the Arkansas Bar Association? I would make it clear that the support chart is only a guide and that it is not mandatory to set the amount of the award from the chart.