Uncovering Hidden Income: How I Can Help You Prove What Your Child’s Other Parent Really Earns
If you're owed child support, you know how frustrating it can be when the other parent claims to earn far less than you suspect. Maybe the father drives a luxury car but reports minimum wage income. Perhaps the mother operates a thriving business but insists she barely breaks even. You're not imagining things, and you're not powerless.
As a family law attorney, I help parents navigate one of the most challenging aspects of child support cases: proving the non-custodial parent's actual income. In this post, I'll walk you through the tools I use to uncover hidden income and explain why a parent's business revenue doesn't always equal his or her personal income.
Why Non-Custodial Parents Underreport Income
Let's be honest: some parents will do anything to avoid paying their fair share of child support. Common tactics include:
Working "under the table" for cash
Hiding income through a business
Deliberately reducing work hours after a case is filed
Failing to report side income or freelance work
Living off unreported gifts or support from family members
The good news? Courts have seen it all, and I have legal tools to expose income manipulation.
Real Case: The Parent Who Suddenly Went Part-Time
A few weeks ago, I represented a parent whose ex had been working full-time for years. The moment our child support case was filed, the other parent suddenly reduced to part-time hours, conveniently cutting reported income in half.
The judge didn't buy it. I presented evidence of the parent's work history, employer statements about available full-time hours, and the suspicious timing of the reduction. The court imputed income based on earning capacity rather than the artificially reduced hours. The result? A child support order that reflected what the parent could earn, not what the parent was intentionally choosing to earn.
This case illustrates an important principle: courts won't reward parents for deliberately impoverishing themselves to avoid supporting their children.
Legal Tools I Use to Discover Hidden Income
When the other parent won't voluntarily disclose financial information, or when you suspect the information provided is incomplete, here are the most effective tools I can use on your behalf:
1. Subpoenas to Employers
I can issue a subpoena compelling the other parent's employer to provide:
Pay stubs and wage records
Benefits information
Bonuses and commission statements
Available overtime or additional hours
This is particularly effective when you know where the parent works but suspect unreported overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
2. Review of Bank Statements
Bank records reveal the full picture of financial activity:
Deposits that don't match reported income
Regular transfers that suggest additional income sources
Business account activity
Patterns of spending that contradict claimed poverty
I can review bank records to compare actual cash flow with reported income.
3. Subpoenas to Landlords
If the other parent rents a house or apartment, I can subpoena the landlord to provide:
Rental applications showing reported income
Proof of income submitted to secure the lease
Payment history demonstrating ability to afford rent
People rarely lie to landlords about income; everyone wants to be approved for housing. These applications could reveal income far higher than what's reported to the court.
4. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests
For parents who work for government entities or receive government contracts, I can file FOIA requests to uncover:
Salary information
Government contracts and payments
Public employment records
This is public information, and it can provide a wealth of information in cases involving public employees.
5. Social Media Investigation
While not a formal legal tool, social media often tells a story. Posts showing expensive vacations, new vehicles, luxury purchases, or business success can contradict claims of financial hardship. This information can be used to contradict the non custodial parents testimony in court.
6. Private Investigations
When parents operate cash businesses or have complex financial situations, I work with individuals and have tools that can:
Document business activity
Observe work patterns
Identify undisclosed income sources
Gather evidence for court
Understanding Business Income vs. Personal Income
One of the most common sources of confusion and manipulation involves self-employed parents. Just because a business generates revenue doesn't mean the owner takes home that amount as personal income.
Example: Dr. Sarah's Virtual Therapy Practice
Let's look at Dr. Sarah, a licensed therapist who runs a virtual therapy practice. Her business grosses $15,000 per month—that's $180,000 per year in revenue. Impressive, right?
But here's what many people don't realize: gross business income is not personal income.
Dr. Sarah's monthly overhead includes:
Part-time bookkeeper: $1,200/month
Social media manager: $800/month
Insurance coordinator: $1,000/month
Professional liability insurance: $500/month
Business licenses and professional dues: $300/month
Secure video conferencing platform: $200/month
Internet and technology costs: $150/month
Continuing education requirements: $350/month
Self-employment taxes (15.3%): $2,000/month
Software subscriptions and practice management tools: $400/month
Marketing and advertising: $600/month
Total monthly overhead: $7,500
This means Dr. Sarah's actual personal income, what she pays herself, is approximately $7,500 per month, not $15,000. That's a huge difference when calculating child support.
Why This Matters for Child Support
Courts calculate child support based on personal income, not gross business revenue. However, this also means self-employed parents can manipulate reported income by:
Inflating business expenses
Paying personal expenses through the business
Claiming excessive deductions
Hiding cash transactions
Underreporting business income
This is why I can scrutinize business tax returns, bank statements, and expense receipts—not just take the parent's word for his or her income.
What You Can Do Right Now
If you're preparing for a child support hearing and suspect the other parent is hiding income:
Document everything. Keep records of any information suggesting higher income such as social media posts, lifestyle indicators, statements the parent has made about earnings.
Gather evidence of business activity. If the parent is self-employed, collect price lists, advertisements, client testimonials, or anything showing business volume.
Note timing. Did the parent's income suddenly drop when you filed for child support? Document the timeline.
Contact me for a consultation. The tools I've described require legal expertise to execute properly. I can issue subpoenas, file FOIA requests, file motions to compel financial disclosure, and present evidence effectively to the court.
Be patient but persistent. Uncovering hidden income takes time, but it's worth the effort to ensure your child receives the support he or she deserves.
How I Can Help You
When you hire me, I take a comprehensive approach to uncovering the other parent's true income:
I'll review all available financial documentation with a critical eye
I'll identify gaps and inconsistencies in reported income
I'll issue subpoenas to employers, banks, and landlords if necessary
I'll file FOIA requests when appropriate
I'll work with individuals and use tools to document business activity and lifestyle
I'll present compelling evidence to the court showing actual earning capacity
Your child deserves financial support from both parents. When the non-custodial parent tries to hide income or manipulate his or her earnings, I have the legal tools and experience to uncover the truth.
The Bottom Line
Don't accept the other parent's claims at face value. From subpoenas to FOIA requests to forensic investigation of business finances, I use every available tool to uncover hidden income and secure the child support your child deserves.
If you're struggling to prove the other parent's actual income, contact my office for a consultation. I'll review your case and explain exactly how I can uncover hidden income and fight for the child support your child needs.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Call 804.238.7737 to schedule your consultation.
