§2004. Income information and child support worksheets

1.  Court actions.  This subsection governs the exchange and filing of income affidavits, child support worksheets and supporting documentation in court actions.

A. In a court action to determine or modify support of a minor child, the plaintiff and defendant shall exchange, prior to mediation, affidavits regarding income and assets. These affidavits must conform with the forms provided by the court and must be accompanied by supporting documentation of current income, such as pay stubs, tax returns, employer statements or, if the plaintiff or defendant is self-employed, receipts and expenses.   [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

B. The parties shall exchange prior to the commencement of mediation a completed child support worksheet. The worksheet must be completed in accordance with the support guidelines.   [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

C. At least 3 days prior to a court hearing, whether contested or uncontested, the parties shall file with the court and exchange, if they have not already done so, the completed affidavits and child support worksheets. The parties are not required to file with the court the supporting documentation.   [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

D. If a party fails to comply with this subsection, the court may, in its discretion:

(1) Impose economic sanctions; or

(2) Presume for the purpose of determining a current support obligation that the party has an earning capacity equal to the average weekly wage of a worker in this State as determined by the most recent Department of Labor statistics. A different annual income may be used if there is sufficient reliable evidence to conclude reasonably that the noncomplying party earns a greater or lesser actual income.   [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

E. The court may admit Department of Labor statistics into evidence for purposes of computing a parental support obligation.   [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2.  Administrative proceedings.  The department shall adopt rules regarding the provision of information necessary to apply the child support guidelines in administrative proceedings.

[PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1995, c. 694, §B2 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 694, §E2 (AFF).