The appellant appealed a child support order arising from a motion to change that fixed his income at $80,000 and awarded retroactive child support to the date shortly after the parties’ separation.
The appellant argued the motion judge erred by imputing income without considering financial disclosure already filed and by refusing to consider additional evidence after imposing procedural conditions the appellant could not meet.
The court held the motion judge misapprehended the evidentiary record, failed to consider existing financial statements, and did not analyze the legal framework governing retroactive support under S. (D.B.) v. G. (S.R.).
The court also found the hearing process unfair to a self‑represented litigant who was effectively prevented from presenting relevant evidence.
The order was set aside and the matter remitted for a new hearing before a different judge.
