The assignment is to write an office memo. Each assignment contains anassignmentmemofromthesupervisingattorneythatincludes all the available factsof the case. Complete a memo based on these facts. Ifadditional facts are needed, note this in the recommendation section of the memo. When preparing the heading of each assignment, use "Supervising Attorney" in the "To" line and put your name after the "Form".

Following each assignment is a reference to the applicable enacted and case law. In some assignments, the case citation includes a reference only to the regional reporter citation; the state reporter citation is not included. Use only the citation presented in the assignment. The cases are presented in Appendix A.

The first time you cite de opinion, use the full citation format for the citation you are given for the opinion in the assignment.

FOR EXAMPLE:

NewMexicov.Zamoraiscitedinassignment4as2005-NMCA-039,137N.M.301,110P.3d517

This is how you should cite this opinion the first time it is used in any legal document memorandum. When you need to quote from an opinion in the memo, use a blank line to indicate the page number from which the quotation is taken. Use short-form citation when appropriate. For short-form citations, reference either the ALWD Guide or the Bluebook, whichever is the citation guide for your course.

FOR EXAMPLE:

Zamora,2005-NMCA-039,____,137N.M.

at____,301P.3dat____:.

or

Id.at____,137N.M.____,301P.3d____:.

Donotconductadditionalresearch.Completetheassignmentusingthefacts,enactedlawandcaselawcontainedineachassignment.Forthepurposesoftheassignments,assumethatthecaseshavenotbeenoverturnedormodifiedbysubsequentcourtdecisions.

ASSIGNMENT5

To:Paralegal

From:SupervisingAttorney

orduplicated,

Re: EldridgechildWCN02-200-208supportv.Eldridge;modificationofchild support

WerepresentGwenEldridgeinthecaseofEldridgev.Eldridge.TheEldridgesweredivorcedin2012.Mrs.Eldridgewasawardedcustodyoftheirtwominorchildren.Mr.Eldridgewasorderedtomakechildsupportpaymentsintheamountof$700permonth.

HelosthisjobinJanuaryof2013andwasunemployedfromthatdatethroughOctoberof2013.Hethenobtainedemploymentasanelectrician.

Mr.Eldridgedidnotmakechildsupportpaymentsforthemonthsduringwhichhewas unemployed.InJanuaryof2014,Mrs.Eldridgefiledamotionwiththecourtthatenteredthedivorcedecree,seekinganorderforcingMr.Eldridgetopaythechildsupportpaymentsdueforthemonthshedidnotmakepayments;theamounttotaled$7,000.Mr.Eldridgecounteredwithapetitiontomodifyhischildsupportobligation.Thepetitionrequestedthathebeexcusedfromhavingtopaytheobligationsthataccruedduringthe10monthshewasunemployed.

ThecourtorderedMr.Eldridgetopayonehalfoftheamountdue,$3,500,andexcusedhimfrompayingtheremaining$3,500.ThecourtstatedthatMr.Eldridgedidnothavetopaythefullamountbecausehewasunemployedduringthemonthsthechildsupportaccrued.TheattorneythatrepresentedMrs.Eldridgeinthetrialcourttoldherthatthereisnobasisforanappealofthecourtorder.

PleasecheckthestatutoryandcaselawtodetermineifthetrialcourtactedproperlywhenitexcusedMr.Eldridgefrompaying$3,500ofthebackchildsupport.

StatutoryLaw:Ind.Code31-2-11-12,Modification ofdelinquentsupportpayment,provides:

(a)Exceptasprovidedinsubsection(b)...,acourtmaynotretroactivelymodifyanobligor'sdutytopayadelinquentsupportpayment.

(b)Acourtwithjurisdictionoverasupportordermaymodifyanobligor'sdutytopayasupportpaymentthatbecomesdue:

(1)Afternoticeofapetitiontomodifythesupportorderhasbeengiven...totheobligee...and

(2)Beforeafinalorderconcerningthepetitionformodificationisentered.

CaseLaw:Cardwellv.Gwaltney,556N.E.2d953(Ind.Ct.App.1990)(seeAppendixA).