Bonuses and ex self employed

[curiousdad2]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law) PA

I work for a big company that gives bonuses based on how the company does and also our evaluarions. We have only received them in my 15 years the last 6 years and we will not be getting one this coming year due to the economy (we also have not gotten a raise in 2 years due to the economy. Question is - if we went to court to change child support - would bonuses count? If so, how when tehy are not guaranteed and they are based on the comapnay and then on me?
Also, my ex has her own business (she didn't when we were together)...how will they show her real income and how can I "prove" that she hides $. She claims she is poor when I know she isn't. She is doing fine. Her spouse owns a few side businesses and opened one up while they are married - would they count that in her income (I thought maybe since if they would get divorced she would get to claim some of that business). I know she goes there to help out but who knows what they claim on taxes.
Also we have an agreement that I get to write off one of 3 kids - she now claims she needs the write off more than me - in court - would I win??? I am tired of being walked on when her and her husband have alot more than myself and my wife - she is very greedy.....

[CJane]

Absent real proof of income, generally what child support enforcement does is figure out (using info from the Dept of Labor) what that person would be able to make with a job in the same field, doing the same thing, but being an "employee" rather than self employed, and bases income on that.

Her husband's income is irrelevant, regardless of its source.

[Gracie3787]

Originally Posted by curiousdad2

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law) PA

I work for a big company that gives bonuses based on how the company does and also our evaluarions. We have only received them in my 15 years the last 6 years and we will not be getting one this coming year due to the economy (we also have not gotten a raise in 2 years due to the economy. Question is - if we went to court to change child support - would bonuses count? If so, how when tehy are not guaranteed and they are based on the comapnay and then on me?
Also, my ex has her own business (she didn't when we were together)...how will they show her real income and how can I "prove" that she hides $. She claims she is poor when I know she isn't. She is doing fine. Her spouse owns a few side businesses and opened one up while they are married - would they count that in her income (I thought maybe since if they would get divorced she would get to claim some of that business). I know she goes there to help out but who knows what they claim on taxes.
Also we have an agreement that I get to write off one of 3 kids - she now claims she needs the write off more than me - in court - would I win??? I am tired of being walked on when her and her husband have alot more than myself and my wife - she is very greedy.....

If it goes to court, you'll need to bring proof that your company is not paying bonuses this year.

For the situation of who claims the children, have you considered offering all 3 every other year?

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Gracie - mom gets two every year and dad gets one. Seems pretty fair to me. I know that with my three boys, Dad got the oldest, I have the youngest and we rotated the middle one.

[Gracie3787]

Originally Posted by TinkerBelleLuvr

Gracie - mom gets two every year and dad gets one. Seems pretty fair to me. I know that with my three boys, Dad got the oldest, I have the youngest and we rotated the middle one.

I agree, it is very fair.

I suggested it as a possible counter to the OP's ex wanting to claim all 3 every year. It might make ex realize that the existing way of doing it is more beneficial than changing it.

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

NOW I understand Gracie - Mom gets all three one year; dad gets all three the following year. Yep - mom will do the math and go - I think we'll leave that one alone.

[curiousdad2]

we can prove I do not get the bonuses anymore...but can she go after any future ones and would a judge agree to give her a percentage of any new bonuses and if so - how much is typical?
She signed off the right to give me the oldest kid now want to disregard it. My question was could she win that? She is very selfish and wants all she can get yet she thinks she deserves it b/c she has the kids 5.5 days (I used ot have them 3.5 days until she moved further away and took my day away (we didn't go to court but I agreed for the kids that it was a far drive for them during the school year).
In terms of the business - her husband has a job and other things and he opened this place while they were married - I am not sure why it couldn't count..if not, why couldn't anyone opening a side business put it in the non paying spouses name and not claim it as income. It seems shady...