“Imputed Income:” What is It and What Does It Mean in Your Chicago Divorce Case
One of the things that Chicago parents who are getting divorced may think about is how much child support they may have to pay after the divorce has been finalized. Indeed, in a Chicago divorce case involving children, child custody and child support issues are typically front-and-center, and often who will get physical and legal custody of the children and who will pay monthly child support payments is often a battle hard fought. One of the things that Chicago parents who are going through the Chicago divorce process should know about is the term “imputed income” as it applies to the issue of child support in their case. To help Chicago parents facing divorce –and possibly child support obligations – better understand this important legal concept, we explain the ins-and-outs of imputed income in Chicago divorce and child support cases here.
Imputed Income in Chicago Divorce Cases – What Is It?
Simply put, in a Chicago child support case or divorce case involving the determination of the issue of child support, the term “imputed income” refers to income that the divorce court assigns or “imputes” to a parent, even if that parent is not actually currently earning that income at present. This typically happens when the court believes a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed in order to avoid paying child support or to reduce their payment obligation to the other parent. The purpose of a court imputing income is to help ensure that both parents contribute to the financial support of the children subject to the divorce proceedings.
How Chicago Courts Determine Imputed Income
As of January 1, 2025, Illinois law requires Chicago divorce and child support courts to follow strict rules when it comes to the determination of imputed income. Under current Illinois laws, Chicago judges determining the issue of child support must hold a formal evidentiary hearing before they may impute income in a case. The court must also make specific written findings regarding its determination of imputed income, and, under the new law, incarceration is no longer considered to be “voluntary unemployment” for the purposes of imputing income.
Getting Legal Help with Your Chicago Child Support Issues – Chicago Family Lawyer
There is no doubt that a judge’s calculation of imputed income can significantly change the outcome of a Chicago divorce case involving the issue of child support. Working with an experienced Chicago family lawyer can help increase your chances of getting justice due in your case, and a result that you and your family deserve. If you are in the Chicago area and you are seeking help from an experienced Chicago family lawyer, contact the experienced Chicago family lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC are here to help Chicago parents with their challenging child support issues. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced lawyer about your case today. Call Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC and speak with a lawyer about your case now.
