Income

Income is typically shown on pay stubs, W-2 forms, and benefit statements, such as pension, annuity or social security statements. However, for those who are self-employed, those who work in a cash-based business, and those who receive gratuities or tips for their services, the calculation of income can be a little more complex. In the case of divorce, financial counseling is often essential for people in the latter situation.

If your spouse falls into one of the latter categories, you may be able to show deposits into bank accounts or payments for lifestyle, in order to show the income enjoyed by that individual, in the absence of other income records.

It is common for people to “forget” about other types of income from employment that don’t appear in the typical weekly paycheck, such as: company vehicle, retirement benefits, disability insurance, life insurance, deferred compensation, stock options or employee stock ownership plans, and even cashing in on accumulated sick ti