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Child Support Enforcement - Sarpy County Nebraska

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igors of the primary job and the second job, and all other circumstances. See<br />

Cochran v. Cochran, 14 Va. App. 827, 419 S.E.2d 419 (1992).<br />

There is a presumption that income from multiple jobs should be included in<br />

determining a child support obligor’s child support obligation, unless the presumption<br />

is rebutted.<br />

Gangwish v. Gangwish, 267 Neb. 901, 678 N.W.2d 503 (2004)<br />

We have not set forth a rigid definition of what constitutes “income,” but have instead<br />

relied on a flexible, fact-specific inquiry that recognizes the wide variety of<br />

circumstances that may be present in child support cases. Workman v. Workman,<br />

262 Neb. 373, 632 N.W.2d 286 (2001). Thus, income for the purpose of child<br />

support is not necessarily synonymous with taxable income. Gase v. Gase,<br />

266 Neb. 975, 671 N.W.2d 223 (2003); Rhoades v. Rhoades, 258 Neb. 721, 605<br />

N.W.2d 454 (2000); Rauch v. Rauch, 256 Neb. 257, 590 N.W.2d 170 (1999).<br />

We take a flexible approach in determining a person’s “income” for purposes of child<br />

support, because child support proceedings are, despite the child support<br />

guidelines, equitable in nature. Thus, a court is allowed, for example, to add “inkind”<br />

benefits derived from an employer or third party to a party’s income. See<br />

also Workman v. Workman, 262 Neb. 373, 632 N.W.2d 286 (2001).<br />

Equity allows a court to disregard the corporate veil when necessary to do justice.<br />

Gase v. Gase, 266 Neb. 975, 671 N.W.2d 223 (2003)<br />

While the decision to participate in a retirement plan may be voluntary in the first<br />

instance, where contributions made to the plan thereafter become mandatory, the<br />

minimum contribution required by the plan in effect at the time child support is<br />

calculated is deducted from income in determining a party’s net income.<br />

Gress v. Gress, 274 Neb. 686, 743 N.W.2d 67 (2007)<br />

Issue: How many years back should a court go in averaging income of parents with fluctuating<br />

income.<br />

As a general matter, in the determination of child support, income from a selfemployed<br />

individual is determined by looking to that person’s tax returns.<br />

(Reviewing) a 3-year average (income) tends to be the most common approach in<br />

cases where a parent’s income tends to fluctuate. It is not necessary for a court to<br />

look back more than three years.<br />

Henderson v. Henderson, 264 Neb. 916, 653 N.W.2d 226 (2002)<br />

The <strong>Nebraska</strong> <strong>Child</strong> <strong>Support</strong> Guidelines provide that in calculating the amount of<br />

support to be paid, a court must consider the total monthly income, defined as the<br />

income of both parties derived from all sources, except all means-tested public<br />

assistance benefits. Social Security disability insurance program benefits are not<br />

means-tested public assistance benefits, but are based on prior earnings of the<br />

recipient, not on the financial need of the recipient.<br />

Mehne v. Hess, 4 Neb. App 935, 553 N.W.2d 482 (1996)<br />

Entire net mount received from personal injury settlement award constitutes income<br />

for child support purposes<br />

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