Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
When a parent is alleged to be underemployed, for purposes of calculating child support, the parent can be imputed to a higher income. Imputation is a two-step analysis which requires the court to make findings about (1) whether the parent's underemployment was voluntary (absent a finding of fact by the court of physical or mental incapacity or other circumstances over which the parent has no control), and (2) if so, the calculation of imputed income (which involves analysis of the employment potential and probable earnings level of the parent shall be determined based upon his or her recent work history, occupational qualifications, and prevailing earnings level in the community if such information is available. A.A. v. M.A., 2D2023-0676 (Fla. 2d DCA November 1, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
When imputing income to a parent who is underemployed or unemployed, what factors must a Florida child support court consider? This was an issue in the case Campbell v. Jara, 2D2023-1795 (Fla. 2d DCA August 23, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Imputing income to a party in a Florida divorce case requires specific findings to be made. Without these findings, a final judgment of divorce may be susceptible to reversal on appeal. This was an issue in the case Athea v. Athea, 3D22-519 (Fla. 3d DCA May 29, 2024).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
When calculating retroactive support in Florida, if a parent wants to impute income to the other parent, the same rules apply for imputation that apply when calculating ongoing support: The party seeking imputation must show “a. The unemployment or underemployment is voluntary; and b. Identifies the amount and source of the imputed income, through evidence of income from available employment for which the party is suitably qualified by education, experience, current licensure, or geographic location, . .“ § 61.30(2)(b)1., Fla. Stat. (2022).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
Is permanent alimony appropriate in a moderate term marriage in Florida? There is no presumption for or against permanent alimony currently as it relates to a moderate term marriage. It is worth noting that alimony laws may be changed by the legislature soon. Under current statutes, moderate term marriages are between 7 and 17 years, and permanent alimony can be awarded if appropriate based on clear and convincing evidence. This was an issue in the case Beauchamp v. Beauchamp, 6D23-478 (Fla. 6th DCA June 9, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
When parties sign a settlement agreement in a Florida family law case and then ask the court to ratify the agreement by order, the parties are voluntarily asking the court to uphold an agreement they reached. What if a party feels there was a mistake in the agreement? Can that party file a motion to set aside the agreement and subsequent order of ratification? This was an issue in the case Gjokhila v. Seymour, 1D21-1613 (Fla. 1st DCA October 6, 2022).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
A parent who has the ability to earn a certain level of income who voluntarily takes a lower paying job may be at risk of having income imputed to him or her in calculating Florida child support. In addition to a parent’s work history and education level, a court analyzes job opportunities and salary levels in the community in which the parent lives. This was an issue in the case Sadlak v. Trujillo, 3D20-1575 (Fla. 3d DCA April 13, 2022).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
A parent who voluntarily quits a job or is fired for misconduct may be at risk of having income imputed to him or her when Florida child support is calculated. Imputation of income is a two step process that involves determining if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed before imputing income. This was an issue in the case Oyebanji v. Collier, 1D21-1983 (Fla. 1st DCA April 6, 2022).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
If a party has not worked for many years, what level of income should be imputed to that party for purposes of calculating Florida alimony? Many factors go into determining if and how much income should be imputed, including the educational and occupational history of the party to whom income is being imputed. This was an issue in the case Poveromo v. Poveromo, 5D19-3466 (Fla. 5th DCA January 21, 2022).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
When a party lives outside of Florida, and there is a request to impute income to that party for purposes of calculating child support, will the court use Florida salary standards or the salary standards of the state in which the party actually lives? This was an issue in the case Gillespie v. Holdsworth, 2D20-3429 (Fla. 2d DCA January 19, 2022).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
A parent who voluntarily quits a job may be faced with imputation of income in a Florida child support case. Imputation means a court treats a parent as if he or she were making a certain level of income even if that parent is earning less. It is seemingly meant to encourage parents to maintain their historic earning levels so that children receive the full amount of support to which they are entitled. Imputation was an issue in the case Gillespie v. Minning, 2D20-3430 (Fla. 2d DCA November 3, 2021).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
When a parent is fired from a job for misconduct, this may be considered voluntary unemployment for purposes of calculating child support in Florida. Imputation of income to a parent in Florida is a two-step consideration which involves presenting evidence that: (1) The unemployment or underemployment is voluntary; and (2) Identifies the amount and source of the imputed income, through evidence of income from available employment for which the party is suitably qualified by education, experience, current licensure, or geographic location, with due consideration being given to the parties’ time-sharing schedule and their historical exercise of the time-sharing provided in the parenting plan or relevant order. See Damask v. Ryabchenko, 4D20-2649 (Fla. 4th DCA October 27, 2021).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What income is considered in deciding how much to award in Florida alimony or child support? Florida Statute Chp. 61.30 lists payments that are considered income for purposes of calculating support. Included in that list are in-kind payments from an employer which reduce a party’s living expenses. This was a topic in the case Ortega v. Wood, 1D20-1534 (Fla. 1st DCA April 9, 2021).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
Imputing income to a party for purposes of calculating support is a process which requires specific proof and findings. In the case Frerking v. Stacy, 5D18-2327 (Fla. 5th DCA March 15, 2019), we review a trial court’s decision to award durational, rather than permanent, alimony in a long-term marriage based in part on speculated employment opportunities for the former wife.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
Imputation of income to a spouse for purposes of determining a Florida alimony and/or child support claim must be supported by competent, substantial evidence. This is illustrated in the recent appellate case Alvarez-Reyes v. Fernandez-Gil, 3D17-2676 (Fla. 3d DCA February 6, 2019).
