Determining Income

When determining income for child support purposes and the paying party receives bonuses, what is the best way to determine what bonus amount should be added to your regular income to determine total income for the paying party? Should you just use the bonus amount from the previous year or should you average the bonus amount from a few previous years to come up with an average bonus amount to be used?

Bonuses are averaged among a 12 month period and added into that parent’s monthly gross income. Generally the last year’s bonus amount will be used.


Anna Ayscue

Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest

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