McDermott v. Bender
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Summary

In this 1990 case, the Delaware Family Court held that a father’s heroin addiction—though a psychological disability—was a self-inflicted condition not excusing contempt for unpaid child support or reducing his support obligations.

1990 | State Juristiction

McDermott v. Bender

Keywords heroin addiction; psychological disability; self-inflicted condition; child support
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Summary

In a 1990 decision, the Delaware Family Court determined that a father's heroin addiction, while acknowledged as a psychological disability, constituted a self-inflicted condition. This finding precluded the addiction from excusing contempt for outstanding child support payments or diminishing the father's mandated support obligations.

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Summary

A 1990 decision by the Delaware Family Court addressed a case involving a father's heroin addiction. The court determined that even though the addiction was a recognized psychological disability, it was considered a self-inflicted condition. This ruling meant the father's addiction did not excuse him from facing contempt charges for unpaid child support, nor did it lessen his financial obligations for supporting his children.

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Summary

In 1990, the Delaware Family Court made a ruling about a father’s child support. The court decided that the father’s heroin addiction, although a psychological disability, was a condition he caused himself. Because of this, the addiction did not excuse him from the legal penalties for not paying child support. It also did not reduce the amount of child support he was required to pay.

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Summary

In 1990, a court in Delaware made a decision about a father who used heroin. The court said that even though heroin addiction is a mental health problem, the father caused his own addiction. Because of this, his addiction did not excuse him from not paying child support. It also did not mean he had to pay less child support.

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Footnotes and Citation

Cite

598 A.2d 709 (Del. Fam. Ct. 1990)

Highlights