Advocates for fathers sue trial court over child support rules

Article here. Excerpt:

'Boston, Mass. - A fathers’ rights group says it is suing the Massachusetts Trial Court for what it says are unconstitutional child support guidelines that are decimating household budgets.

“There are people who are literally being driven out of their homes and apartments because of their inability to pay,” said Ned Holstein, founder of the nonprofit Fathers & Families. “We believe in guidelines that will well take care of all the children and also be fair between the adults. These guidelines do not do that.”

Holstein said the group intends to argue that the child support guidelines, because they have the potential to increase child support payments, represent a tax increase. Under the constitution, he said, only the Legislature has the power to authorize new taxes. The changes, approved in November by the Chief Justice of Administration and Management of the Trial Court Robert Mulligan, took effect Jan. 1, 2009.'