Stepchild Expenses in Wage Garnishment Subsistence Minimum Calculation

In an appeal concerning wage garnishment where the debtor lived with his spouse and her child, the court had to determine if income and expenses related to the stepchild should be factored into the calculation of the debtor's subsistence minimum. Citing federal precedent, the court reasoned that, consistent with established law regarding child support payments made to a custodial parent, income and expenses related to a stepchild must be entirely excluded from the debtor's subsistence minimum calculation because the support payments are designated for the child's needs, not the debtor's household income or essential expenses.