Bennett v. Bennett (Mississippi 2021)

The expenses associated with raising a child are expected to increase as the child ages but the specific amount isn’t foreseeable. An action to modify the child support amount may be necessary. The mother filed to find the father in contempt for failure to pay child support and to modify the order. She alleged her expenses had increased since the father hadn’t exercised visitation, the father had failed to pay his share of medical expenses, and  the father had a second job and was earning additional income. The district court denied the contempt petition but increased the support amount. The father appealed. The appellate court affirmed the order. The evidence showed both children had increased medical expenses. The father had retired and taken a second job. These two facts constituted a material change of circumstances.