It has been a while since we discussed the determination of child support amounts and the kinds of documents the paying parent may be required to provide to the other parent and the court.
Because certain rules apply to family court proceedings, and because a paying parent must make an accurate disclosure of income, it is important to have a family lawyer on your side to ensure that your rights are protected and that all of the relevant legal issues are addressed. A mistake in disclosure of income or court filings could be costly for both parents.
Under the federal Child Support Guidelines, a paying parent must provide the other parent with income tax returns from the past three years. For each of those years, notices of assessment and reassessment should also be provided.
If you are an employee, then you must disclose to the other parent confirmation of your income or the most recent statement of your earnings. If you control a corporation or are otherwise self-employed, then you as a paying parent are required to disclose the business’ financial statement, as well as a statement of all wages or payments you’ve received.
You may also be required to provide related documentation if you receive any of the following kinds of income:
- Pension payments
- Disability payments
- Employment insurance
- Trust benefits
- Workers’ compensation
- Social assistance
Whether you are a parent obligated to pay child support or a parent entitled to receive child support, a family lawyer with experience in asset valuation and child support orders can help you reach a fair outcome.