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Carolan v. Bell

Maine Supreme Judicial Court
916 A.2d 945 (2007)

Facts

Carolan (defendant) and Bell (plaintiff) had a seven-year-old son together. Carolan was a dental assistant and earned $13.50 per hour working Monday through Thursday. Carolan's employer covered her health-insurance costs, and Carolan rented a small home that was owned by her parents for $1,000 per month. Carolan’s parents previously rented the home for $1,300. Carolan and Bell were granted joint parental rights and responsibilities. Carolan also sought a child-support order and brought a claim against Bell. Bell argued that the district court should impute additional income to Carolan in calculating Carolan’s gross income. Bell suggested that income should be imputed for the value of Carolan's health insurance that her employer paid for, the difference between Carolan's rent and the rent her parents charged the prior tenant, and voluntary underemployment. The district court agreed and adopted Bill's suggestions for imputing income to Carolan in its child-support order. Carolan appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Alexander, J.)

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  • A “yes” or “no” answer to the question framed in the issue section;
  • A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
  • The procedural disposition (e.g. reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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