The courts are supposed to modify a child support arrangement if one parent proves they are no longer able to keep up with the payments due to a significant change in circumstances.

That’s how it’s supposed to be, but a judge in Las Vegas has failed to reduce a man’s child support obligations, despite the fact he is earning hundreds of thousands of dollars less in income.

At the time Anthony Fernandez divorced his ex-wife he was making $500,000 to $4 million a year in the stock market. But now that the economy is worse and the stock market has soured Fernandez makes $3,000 a month selling cars.

Obviously unable to keep up with his $80,000 a year in child support, Fernandez asked the Nevada Supreme Court to reduce his child support obligations. Instead of granting him a modification, the judge said he deserves a hearing in the district court to determine whether or not his drop in income warrants a modification.

Another element that should justify Fernandez’s request for a modification is that his ex-wife’s monthly income is now the same if not more than what Fernandez is bringing home.