An Alabama court has reversed a previous ruling regarding child support obligations in the case of Kathryn Leigh Kennedy v. Scott Aaron Kennedy. The Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama issued its opinion on July 31, 2026, affecting the financial responsibilities of both parents towards their two children. This decision comes after a series of legal disputes following the couple's divorce.

The case centers on a modification of child support payments initially set during the couple's divorce proceedings. The court's ruling is significant as it addresses how income is calculated for child support, which can have lasting implications for both parents and their children.

Background

Kathryn Leigh Kennedy and Scott Aaron Kennedy were divorced in March 2023. The divorce judgment included various terms, including child custody and support arrangements for their two children, T.W.K. and C.R.K. Following the divorce, Scott filed a petition in January 2024, seeking to modify child support payments and hold Kathryn in contempt for alleged violations of their divorce agreement.

In response, Kathryn filed a counterclaim against Scott, also seeking to hold him in contempt for making disparaging remarks about her in front of their children. The trial court conducted a hearing on July 21, 2025, but ultimately denied both parents' requests for contempt and modified Scott's child support obligation.

The Ruling

The Court of Civil Appeals of Alabama, led by Judge Edwards, reviewed the trial court's decision and found issues with how Scott's income was determined for child support calculations. The trial court had set Scott's monthly child support obligation at $823 after initially reducing it to $549. However, the appeals court found that the trial court did not adequately reconcile Scott's various income claims and financial statements.

The court ruled, "The trial court erred to reversal when it failed to include in the father's monthly gross income the expenditures that Sokol had paid because those payments were significant and reduced the father's personal living expenses."

The court emphasized that Scott's income should reflect all relevant financial information, including payments made by his business, Sokol Park Chiropractic, that could affect his personal living expenses. The ruling reversed the trial court's judgment regarding child support and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for how child support obligations are calculated in Alabama. It underscores the importance of accurately assessing a parent's income, particularly for self-employed individuals. The decision may set a precedent for future cases involving similar issues of income calculation and child support modifications.

Both Kathryn and Scott will need to navigate the repercussions of this ruling, which could lead to adjustments in their financial responsibilities towards their children. The court's decision also highlights the necessity for transparency and accuracy in financial disclosures during child support proceedings.

What's Next

The case has been remanded to the trial court for further proceedings to recalculate Scott's monthly gross income and determine if there has been a material change in circumstances warranting a modification of child support. It is unclear if either party will appeal this latest ruling.