114‑4710, A.3:  Combined monthly income increased to $480,000/ year.

 114‑4720, A.5: Potential Income:  Added: "A determination of willful or voluntary unemployment or underemployment shall not be made when an individual’s incarceration prevents employment."

 114‑4720, A.5.B: Potential Income: Modified as follows: determine the employment potential and probable earnings level of the parent based on that parent’s recent work history, occupational qualifications, and prevailing job opportunities and earning levels in the community. take into consideration the specific circumstances of the parent to the extent known, including such factors as the parent’s assets, residence, employment and earnings history, job skills, educational attainment, literacy, age, health, criminal record and other employment barriers, and record of seeking work, as well as the local job market, the availability of employers willing to hire the parent, prevailing earning level in the community, and other relevant factors in the case.

 114‑4720, A.6:  Income Verification:  Added:  "...and oral testimony provided under oath."

 114‑4720, A.11: Self Support Reserve:  Increased to $1,010.50

 114‑4720, A.12: Health Insurance:  Clarification was added to clearly explain how the Guidelines incorporate the first $250.00 per child per year of uninsured medical expenses. The term “orthodontia” and “professional counseling” were removed to allow the court to make a determination of “reasonable and necessary unreimbursed medical expenses.”

 114‑4720, A.13. (new section): Extraordinary Medical Expense.  Medical expenses that incurred on a regular basis should be incorporated into the monthly support calculation for concurrent payment as opposed to reimbursement. The amount of such extraordinary medical expenses must be readily determinable and incurred regularly, as determined by the Court. Examples could include professional counseling and allergy treatments. Any such expenses classified as extraordinary should not be included in any reimbursement addressed above.

 114‑4720, A.14. (former A.13.): Child Care Costs: This section was modified to emphasize that child care from an unlicensed provider may be considered by the court. The section was also modified in regard to the adjustment for tax credits as there have been changes to the Tax Code since the last review of the Guidelines.

 11‑4730: Shared Parenting Arrangements:  The term “advisory and not compulsory” have been removed to allow the court to determine whether Worksheet C should be used in shared physical custody cases.

Guy Vitetta

Charleston SC