The state of Arizona uses a complicated set of guidelines to determine how much money a child should receive in support from a noncustodial parent. One of the most significant factors that is used when determining child support is parental income. Many different sources of income may be included in the computation of child support.
Regular income from wages may be factored into a parent’s gross income, as well as income they receive from tips, commissions, bonuses, pensions, or annuities. Any benefits that a parent receives such as from Social Security, workers’ compensation, or unemployment may also be factored in. Other sources of income, like prize money, gifts of cash, and payments of spousal support, may be considered in the computation of child support.
When a parent experiences a change in their income level, it may directly affect their ability to stay current on their child support payments. For example, the loss of a job may cause a parent’s income to plummet and for them to suffer financial instability. When these types of changes occur, parents can choose to proactively seek out modifications so that they do not become delinquent on their child support obligations.
The computation of a parent’s gross income is an involved process and may require the summation of many different sources of revenue. The information contained in this post is not a complete list of all types of income that may be assessed for the purposes of establishing child support awards. Anyone with questions about the Arizona child support guidelines or the computation of child support should speak to a knowledgeable family law attorney about their questions.