MacLafferty v. MacLafferty
Supreme Court of Indiana
829 N.E.2d 938 (2005)
After divorcing in 1995 with Donna J. MacLafferty (defendant) awarded custody, William P. MacLafferty (plaintiff) was ordered in April 2002 to pay $364 weekly child support; just six months later, William petitioned to reduce that support because Donna had begun working full-time, also seeking custody-time changes and Donna's compliance with prior orders. The trial court found William established changed circumstances, reduced his obligation to $313 weekly, and granted his other requests; Donna appealed, the court of appeals affirmed, and Donna appealed further.
Whether a parent is entitled to modification of a child-support obligation if the parent cannot establish changed circumstances so substantial and continuous that the terms of the prior order are unreasonable.