Hiding income to avoid child support obligations is, unfortunately, a frequent tactic employed by those seeking to minimize their financial responsibilities towards their children. This deceptive practice often leaves the recipient parent feeling hopeless, knowing full well that their former spouse’s actual earnings far surpass what is being reported to the court. Such actions not only undermine the legal process but also directly impact the financial stability and well-being of your children. As such, it’s crucial to take immediate action to uncover hidden income. Please continue reading as we explore what you should know about these matters and the importance of consulting our seasoned Monmouth County Child Support Attorneys for assistance.
What Are Common Methods Used to Conceal Income?
There are numerous ways in which a spouse may attempt to conceal their income to avoid child support or during divorce proceedings. These include:
- Cash payments: Your ex may request cash wages from their employer to avoid creating a financial paper trail.
- Delayed career advancement: Your ex might postpone promotions or bonuses to lower their reported income temporarily.
- Self-employment manipulation: Your ex may falsely deduct personal expenses as business costs to reduce their reported earnings.
- Unemployment: Your ex might avoid seeking employment to evade child support obligations.
These methods are frequently used to either influence initial child support calculations to consistently underreport income.
What Should I Do If My Ex Is Hiding Income?
Hiding income to avoid full child support payments is a legal violation with serious repercussions. If your ex is engaging in this behavior, you are entitled to seek an adjustment to your existing child support arrangement. This may result in increased future payments, repayment of past underpayments, and the imposition of fines or other legal penalties against the offending party.
During child support or custody proceedings, one can request full financial disclosures from your ex, including tax returns, pay stubs, bank records, and business records. Failure to comply can lead the court to compel disclosure or make negative inferences. You may enlist the help of a forensic accountant to identify hidden income, concealed expenses, and discrepancies between tax filings and lifestyle. If there is any evidence of intentional underemployment or income misrepresentation, the court can “impute income,” assigning an amount based on the ex’s earning potential.
If you are considering filing for divorce, please don’t hesitate to speak with a qualified attorney from Paone Zaleski & Murphy today. Our legal team understands how challenging this time is for you, which is why we will fight to protect your interests. Connect with our firm today to learn how we can fight for you.
