Determining Child Support When a Parent Makes Commission
When parent separations occur, the state of Florida makes all decisions based on the best interests of the children. In fact, Florida decided it is the right of all children to maintain constant support from both parents until the age of 18. This includes child support. Determining child support can seem complicated, especially when one parent makes commission, bonuses, overtime, or tips. It is always best to seek the help of an experienced family law lawyer when dealing with such family law issues.
Determining Child Support
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While every case is different and there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to any family law matters, there are a few general guidelines for how some child support may be determined. When one parent makes commission, bonuses, overtime, tips, or other excess income beyond salary or hourly pay, the average income is typically used. When deciding income for child support purposes, the parent’s income is usually averaged on a monthly basis. This average includes any extra payments received beyond their regular or base income.
When determining this average income, the state may look at many different forms of payment including:
- Salary or wages
- Bonuses, commissions, overtime, tips, allowances
- Self-employment income, partnership income, independent contract income
- Disability benefits, including workers’ compensation
- Unemployment
- Retirement, social security, pension, interest and dividends
These are just a few of the things that can go into determining child support in a divorce or separation case. Each case is unique and child support is determined specifically for those parents. It is never advisable to tackle these kinds of cases alone. Family law attorneys are experienced in making sure the child’s best interest is reached, and everything in the case is accounted for.
