Gimeno v. Rivera

SHEPHERD, C.J. This is an appeal by Gracia Gim-eno from a downward modification of Nal-tan Rivera’s child support obligation in a post-paternity modification proceeding, based upon the fact that Rivera has fathered three more children by another woman after having fathered a child with Gimeno. It is settled law that a party moving for a downward modification of child support has the burden of proving (1) a substantial change of circumstances, (2) not contemplated at the time of the final judgment of dissolution or, as in this case, an order determining paternity, (3) that is sufficient, material, involuntary, and permanent in nature. Overbey v. Overbey, 698 So.2d 811, 814 (Fla.1997); Burkley v. Burkley, 911 So.2d 262, 268 (Fla. 5th DCA 2005); Laliberte v. Laliberte, 698 So.2d 1291, 1293 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997). Begetting a child is not an involuntary act. Absent some special circumstance, the presence of subsequent children will not justify a deviation from child support guidelines. See § 61.12(b), Fla. Stat. (2013); State, Dep’t of Revenue v. Feeney, 689 So.2d 350, 351-352 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997); Robinson v. Robinson, 657 So.2d 958, 960 (Fla. 1st DCA 1995). 1 For the foregoing reason, we reverse the order of the trial court and remand this case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Footnotes [1] Upward modifications of child support are treated differently. See § 61.12(b), Fla. Stat. (2013); Pohlmann v. Pohlmann, 703 So.2d 1121,1124 (Fla. 5th DCA 1997).