<em>Paschen v. Paschen</em>: When a Gift Is Not Just a Gift

The guiding principle of child support is “to meet the needs of the child according to the financial ability of the parents.” In Paschen v. Paschen, the Montana Supreme Court reviewed a divorce proceeding that presented a novel child support question: Should gifts factor into determination of maintenance and child support payments? Undermining the guiding principle of child support, a five-justice panel unanimously held gifts should not be a factor.