Unfortunately, this is often a problem at one time or another in most child support cases. Recently, it has been even more common and problematic given the state of the economy, the high unemployment rate, and the years-long recession. But just because one parent is unemployed doesn’t obviate the child support obligation. It’s a child’s right to receive economic support from a parent, and the courts will view unemployment of the non-custodial parent with a skeptical eye.
The first information the courts will look at when a parent is unemployed and not paying child support is the age of the child and the custody arrangement. If the parent is caring for a child of the parties, and that child is under two years of age than the court will enter “0″ in the child support calculations for that parent’s income. In addition, if the court concludes that the parent is actually and reasonably unable to work for reasons beyond that parent’s control than the court will likely enter “0″ for that parent’s income.
But if the parent is not caring for a child of the parties who is under two years of age, and if the parent is able to work, then the court may very well attribute income to that parent even if he or she isn’t actually working. In other words, if the parent is unemployed but is actually able to work, then the court may likely determine the amount of income that he or she is reasonably able to make and enter that amount into the income field of the child support formula. The amount may be minimum wage, or it may be something higher. Whatever the amount is, the amount is called an imputed amount. It is imputed because the court recognizes that the parent isn’t actually earning that amount but is merely ABLE to earn it.
The parent to whom the court imputes an income will have to pay child support in the amount determined by the formula into which the imputed income was entered, even if that parent lacks actual income. If the parent does not pay the child support amount, then a child support arrearage will accumulate which the parent will have to pay at a later time.
So the bottom line is that if you voluntarily impoverish yourself because you don’t believe the child support award was fair (even though it’s a mathematical calculation), or you’re discouraged by the job market and stop trying to earn a living, the courts will determine how much income you should be earning even if you’re not doing so. When you have children it’s your responsibility to care for them and that fact doesn’t change no matter how bad the economy is at the time. If you can work then you must work to support your kids.
At the Law Office of Patrick Crawford. If you would like to learn about your options, call 1-410-846-9109 today.