Understanding the Impact of Signing Bonuses on Child Support Calculations
I got a big signing bonus. Does that count in the child support calculation as part of my gross income? Hi, I’m Clint Hastings. I’m a Tulsa child support attorney here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I focus on father’s rights. I’m going to answer that question because I get it quite a bit. Let’s say you get a signing bonus and it’s substantial, like $20,000. Is it fair for that to be included in your gross income given that you’ll never get that bonus again?
Well, in that case, most judges will probably say it doesn’t count, or they will do it in a tiered fashion where it’s going to count for this year, but then it’ll be open for modification the year following that. Sometimes they average it out over a longer period of time, and some judges just say, I’m not going to count it. It’s a one-time bonus.
Factors Considered in Calculating Child Support
Now, other bonuses are a different story. If you get bonuses routinely or several times a year, that probably is going to count in your gross income calculation, and it is up for you and your lawyer to argue why it shouldn’t if you think it shouldn’t. For instance, sometimes it’s seasonal work and it’s not guaranteed, and so you don’t want it to count, and you make those arguments to the judge.
If the judge thinks that it is substantially an iffy situation, they may not count it, or they may make other provisions on how to count it. I hope this helps. Give our website a look, and give us a call if you need questions like this answered in a consultation. Thanks.
Contact Us for a Low-Cost Consultation
If you have further questions or need personalized advice on child support calculations and legal matters, do not hesitate to contact us for a low-cost consultation. Call 918-962-0900 today to schedule an appointment with our experienced Tulsa family attorney, Clint Hastings. We are here to help you navigate the legal complexities and protect your rights as a father.
