What is income imputation for child support?

Income imputation is a concept used by the courts to determine a fair amount of child support for a specific case. Under Pennsylvania child support law, income imputation occurs when the court assigns an income amount to a parent if they are unemployed or underemployed, rather than relying on the amount that the parent actually makes. The court may use past wages to determine what the parent would realistically be expected to earn based on their experience and skills, even if they are unemployed or underemployed at the present time. The court may also consider other factors, such as the parent’s age, job qualifications, education, or other employment opportunities in the area. Income imputation is used to ensure that children are supported by both parents, and that any amount of child support awarded by the court is fair and appropriate. In addition, income imputation may be used to ensure that the custodial parent is not financially responsible for the other parent’s choice to remain unemployed or underemployed.

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What is income imputation for child support?

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