Id. at 601. See also County of Lake v. Hungerford, 356 N.W.2d 405, 406 (Minn. Ct. App. 1984). The language of the statute permits the county to bring the action but it remains within the court's discretion to determine whether to order reimbursement and how much reimbursement to order.
The statute allows the county, if there is no outstanding support order, to bring an action to require a parent to pay at least a portion of AFDC expended over a two-year period, depending on the parent's ability to pay. County of Lake on behalf of Hungerford v. Hungerford, 356 N.W.2d 405, 406 (Minn.Ct.App. 1984). In this case, the trial court made no explicit determination as to appellant's reasonable ability to pay.
FORSBERG, Judge. This case involves the same statutory action for parental contribution for AFDC expended, Minn.Stat. ยง 256.87, and similar facts as Lake County on behalf of Hungerford v. Hungerford, 356 N.W.2d 405 (Minn.Ct.App. 1984), filed today. The trial court awarded judgment in the amount of $1100 against Smith.