Child Support

questions & answers

Question: Regarding the child support work sheet, I have been unemployed for 6 months and need to report gross monthly income for my family court case. Question: Am I allowed to complete my child support work sheet with $0 income.

Answer: You can enter zero on the form, but your being unemployed does not preclude the court from ordering you to pay child support.  If you look at the Child Support Guidelines and consult Section 5. Determination of the Gross Income of the Parents, part E, you will see that the Court will consider the reasons you are unemployed.  Depending on the Court's understanding of the situation, the judge has the power to assign an income he or she believes you should be making.   Arizona law [A.R.S. Section 25-501] makes it the duty of every parent to support his or her children, whether the child shares your home or not.