Warner v. Warner

572 S.W.3d 6 (2019)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

S.W. suffers from neurocardiogenic syncope, an autonomic dysfunction that causes an abnormal reflux between her brain and heart that causes her to faint. The condition presented when she was sixteen years old when she had her first fainting episode in December 2015. Since her diagnosis, S.W. has been completely dependent on her mother. Patrick Stage, a nurse practitioner, confirmed that S.W.'s neurocardiogenic syncope was 'severe' and 'debilitating.' S.W. cannot work and must attend school at home. She cannot drive. She cannot live independently until she stops having fainting spells. Stage confirmed that S.W. will be dependent on someone like a parent for the foreseeable future. S.W. was an honor student at Bauxite High School. Her guidance counselor testified at the hearing that she expected S.W. to graduate with honors and that S.W. planned to go to college. When S.W. got sick her life and education fell apart. She takes classes at home and has not yet graduated. The circuit court found that she (1) suffered from a disability at the time she reached the age of majority; (2) continues to suffer from this disability; and (3) needs continued support. The circuit court found that child support should continue and entered an order extending child support past the age of majority. H appealed.