If it appears during the course of proceedings conducted under this chapter or chapter 26-8A, 26-8B, or 26-8C that the parent, parents, guardian, conservator, custodian, or any party named in a petition who is legally obligated to support a child is able to contribute to the support of the child, the court shall enter an order requiring the parent, parents, guardian, conservator, custodian, or other responsible party to pay to the appointed guardian or conservator or to the institution to which the child may be committed or placed or to reimburse the county which has initially borne custodial care costs pursuant to subdivision 26-7A-94(2) or (3) or (4) a reasonable amount payable periodically for the support, maintenance, and education of the child and all statutory fees and costs related to expenses incurred on behalf of the child, or any portion of them. In determining a reasonable payment, the court shall consider the responsible party’s ability to pay according to the laws of the state on child support obligations. Any determination that a responsible party need not make full reimbursement of statutory fees and costs shall be justified in a specific finding, in writing or on the record. The court may also order the parent, parents, guardian, conservator, custodian, or other responsible party to furnish reasonable security for the payment of the child support, fees and costs incurred on behalf of the child, or any portion of them. Upon failure to pay, the court may enforce compliance with the order by proceeding as for civil contempt or the appointed guardian or conservator or the institution or the county may proceed to execution on the order as on a civil judgment. Periodically, the court may, on application and on the notice that the court requires, alter the obligations to pay child support, fees, and costs related to expenses incurred on behalf of the child as it considers reasonable, proper, and consistent with the best interests of the child.

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Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 26-7A-98

  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.

Source: SDC 1939, § 43.0325; SL 1991, ch 217, § 93B; SDCL, § 26-8-45; SL 1993, ch 201, § 2; SL 1993, ch 213, § 121; SL 1996, ch 176, § 2.