If the supporting parent voluntarily takes a cut in income or quits a job, can he or she get a reduction in child support?
It depends. The judge will have a lot of discretion in this situation. Technically, if a supporting parent is willfully and voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, child support shall be calculated based on a determination of potential income, as evidenced by the obligor’s educational level and/or previous work experience. In this situation though, the individual circumstances matter. For example, if a doctor leaves a practice group to start his own practice, the temporary reduction in income will not likely justify a reduction in child support. If, however, a manager of a retail store takes a new job with a cut in pay but also with legitimately increased advancement opportunities, the court might allow a decrease. On the other hand, leaving a job just to reduce hours or to intentionally make less money, motivated by a desire to pay less child support, will not be looked upon favorably by the judge and can result in a child support obligation based on the obligor’s potential income. T
Related Questions
- If the supporting parent begins dating or marries someone else, can that persons income be considered for child support?
- If the supporting parent voluntarily takes a cut in income, can he or she get a reduction in child support?
- Can a reduction in child support be made if the supporting parent voluntarily takes a cut in income?
