Research & Case Law

The definition of income is broad and all-encompassing. A reasonable necessity standard is applied to child support awards when the parents earn more than $10,000 per month. The parents of two special needs children filed for divorce.  The husband, a financial advisor, was the primary source of income for the family. His income included a loan from his employer, which was tied to performance goals. The loan was forgiven as he met the goals. As his income exceeded $10,000 per month, the trial court had to consider the reasonable necessity standard when awarding support above the guidelines. In its final order, the trial court found support should be set above the guideline amount in light of the father’s income and the children’s extensive special needs. Both parents appealed the final order.

The doctrine of acquiescence to a judgment applies when a parent complies with an income withholding order. A judgment for unreimbursed medical expenses was entered against the father. When the judgement was entered, an income withholding order was also put in place. After his motion for reconsideration was denied, he appealed. In the meantime, he satisfied the judgment.

A clerical error will not render a Notice of Registration of Foreign Support Order invalid. The parent claiming improper service must provide evidence of the defect. The Wake County child support office filed a Notice of Registration of Foreign Support Order, which was confirmed. The mother filed to dismiss the confirmation order, arguing the wrong person was served and she didn’t live at the address where the notice was mailed. The trial court denied her motion, and she appealed.

Collecting child support from parents who work in the gig economy is difficult, and the number of parents working in the gig economy is increasing. This brief uses Census Bureau information to define the gig workforce and the number of noncustodial parents who are working in the gig economy.