The laws of the state of Pennsylvania lay out guidelines for how an order for child support is to be calculated. Although the guidelines are sufficient for the majority of cases, Pennsylvania law also allows for the opportunity to deviate from those guidelines provided certain circumstances are present. The Pennsylvania Superior Court matter of E.R.L. v. C.K.L., Case No. 437 MDA 2015, addresses the effect a significant inheritance may have on a child support case.
In theE.R.L. matter, the mother filed for child support. At the trial level, the annual earning capacity of the father (who is the obligor) was stipulated to be $76,440, while the annual earning capacity of the mother (who is the obligee) was $12.12 per hour over a 25-hour work week. In addition to the above, the father was found to have access to a $600,000 inheritance.
