"College expenses are properly considered as bearing upon the amount of child support." Weber v. Weber, 804 S.W.2d 756, 758 (Mo.App. 1990). In her second point relied on, Mother argues the trial court erred in ordering her to be responsible for all of the transportation and costs associated with visitation.
Increased expenses of a child, caused by additional educational and accompanying expenses, combined with a substantial increase in a parent's income, constitute sufficient changes for a trial court to modify an existing child support order. Weber v. Weber, 804 S.W.2d 756, 758 (Mo.App.E.D. 1990). Points three, four, and five are denied.
It has long been recognized that payment of college expenses can constitute a substantial change of circumstances under Section 452.370.1. The issue is not the foreseeability of the college expenses, but whether their amount makes the child support previously paid to the custodial spouse unreasonable. As was stated in Weber v. Weber , 804 S.W.2d 756, 758 (Mo.App. 1990): The increasing needs of growing children are valid reasons for modification if it is demonstrated that these conditions render the existing order unreasonable. . . . College expenses are properly considered as bearing upon the amount of child support.
On appeal, the trial court's ruling will be affirmed unless there is no substantial evidence to support it, it is against the weight of the evidence or it erroneously declares or applies the law. Weber v. Weber, 804 S.W.2d 756, 758 (Mo.App. 1990); Murphy v. Carron, 536 S.W.2d 30, 32 (Mo. banc 1976). Due regard is given to the trial court's superior ability to view the witnesses and determine their credibility.
Moreover, college expenses are properly considered as bearing upon the amount of child support. Weber v. Weber, 804 S.W.2d 756, 758 (Mo.App. 1990). Finally, an increase in Father's earnings constitutes a change in circumstances necessitating an increase in child support.
To warrant modification of the child support award, wife was required to "demonstrate a change of circumstances so substantial and continuing as to make the original award unreasonable." Weber v. Weber, 804 S.W.2d 756, 758 (Mo.App 1990). Father states in his brief that gross receipts from his CPA practice increased from $183,221.00 in 1985 to $204,092.00 in 1990.