PRESS RELEASE

The Edwards & Petersen, PLC Has Been Nominated and Accepted as Three Years AIOFLA’S
10 Best Law Firm in Arizona For Client Satisfaction

The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of
Arizona’s Family Law Firm, Edwards & Petersen, PLC as Three Years 10 Best Family Law Firm for Client
Satisfaction.

The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys is a third-party attorney rating organization that
publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in each state. Attorneys who are selected to
the “10 Best” list must pass AIOFLA’s rigorous selection process, which is based on client and/or peer
nominations, thorough research, and AIOFLA’s independent evaluation. AIOFLA’s annual list was
created to be used as a resource for clients during the attorney selection process.

One of the most significant aspects of the selection process involves attorneys’ relationships and
reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney’s top priority, AIOFLA places the
utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in the field of Family Law
without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria, therefore, focus on attorneys
who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction.

We congratulate the Edwards & Petersen, PLC on this achievement and we are honored to have their
firm listed as a Three Years AIOFLA 10 Best.

You can contact Edwards & Petersen, PLC directly at 480-779-8377.

The post Nominated and Accepted as Three Years AIOFLA’S 10 Best Law Firm appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

1. How Do You Charge?

Divorce is often expensive, especially if your divorce is contested (you and your spouse are in disagreement regarding how issues in your divorce should be resolved). While having an attorney on your side is invaluable, you should take the time to learn exactly how your attorney charges and how much legal services are going to cost you. The last thing that you want is to be saddled with a large bill at the conclusion of your divorce that you weren’t expecting.

2. Will I Need to Go to Court?

Many people wonder whether or not litigation is an inevitable part of the divorce process – it’s not. In fact, litigation is only necessary in the event that you and your spouse cannot come to an agreement about the terms of your divorce. Your attorney should be upfront and honest with you about this, as well as committed to aggressively representing you in negotiations in order to secure a positive outcome and mitigate court time. If you think that litigation will be necessary, be sure to ask how an attorney charges for in-courtroom time.

3. What Type of Experience Do You Have Handling Divorce Cases Like Mine?

Each divorce is unique, but many divorces have similar elements. For example, perhaps you’re a party in a high net worth marriage, or have children and a partner who is set on getting full custody. Ask your attorney if they have managed cases like yours in the past, and if so, what the outcome of those cases has been. You want to work with an attorney who is confident in their ability to effectively manage your case.

4. How Are Issues Decided in a Divorce?

It’s very important that you have a working understanding of how issues in a divorce are resolved, including the issues of division of property, child custody, child support, and spousal maintenance/alimony. While couples do have the option of reaching an agreement about these issues on their own without intervention from the court–and are encouraged to do so–if an agreement cannot be reached, the court will make a determination based on the guidelines and requirements set forth in Arizona Code, Title 25 – Marital and Domestic Relations.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Seeking legal representation is always a good idea when getting a divorce, even if you and your spouse are on good terms and in agreement about the majority of issues in your divorce. At the law offices of Edwards & Petersen, PLC, our Mesa divorce lawyers are ready to sit down with you to discuss your case today. Please call us or send us a message at your convenience to get started.

The post The Most Important Questions to Ask Your Divorce Lawyer appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

What Is Divorce By Consent Decree?

A consent decree refers to a legal document that sets forth a couple’s decisions regarding all issues in a divorce and is submitted for a judge to sign, ultimately finalizing the divorce. According to AZCourtHelp.org, published by the Arizona Bar Foundation, a consent decree can only be filed when a couple does not have a covenant marriage, has agreed on all terms of the divorce, and has agreed to a consenting divorce. This is a simplified divorce process that avoids litigation, saving the couple time and money.

Agreeing to Issues in a Consent Divorce

Perhaps the most pressing of the three requirements above is ensuring that all parties to the marriage agree to all issues in the divorce; if parties are in disagreement about any issues, they cannot file a consent decree. Issues that couples will need to resolve include:

• Parenting obligations and child support – Parents will need to fill out a parenting plan and attach it when filing their paperwork. An agreed upon child support order must also be included.
• Spousal maintenance – The couple will need to determine whether or not spousal maintenance will be part of their divorce judgment, and if so, how much the recipient spouse will receive and for how long.
• Property division – Couples will need to divide property, and submit the agreed-upon terms regarding division of property and debt to the court.

In some cases, parties have a very amicable relationship and agree to these issues from the start without complications. In other cases, parties may seek legal counsel for representation in negotiations from an Arizona divorce attorney. Sometimes, a couple will pay a professional third-party mediator to facilitate negotiations and assist the couple in reaching an agreement.

Filing a Consent Decree

If you have your spouse have reached an agreement and you want to save time and money by filing a consent decree, here’s what you need to do:

• File the consent decree at least 60 days from the date that you or your spouse was served the original petition for divorce;
• Make sure both you and your spouse sign the consent decree in front of a notary;
• File a copy on your consent decree with the county clerk; and
• Attend a hearing if requested by a judge or receive your signed consent decree.

Filing a consent decree isn’t for everyone, but it can be a quick and cost-effective way to end your marriage and get a court order regarding issues in the divorce without actually going to court.

The post The Consent Divorce Process appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a significant threat to many relationships. With children involved, domestic violence is a strong factor for the court when seeking full custody. Evidence of domestic violence can pose a significant danger to the children in a marriage, and the court will look at the frequency and type of violence and if the court determines that a significant act of domestic violence has occurred, a presumption arises that joint decision making is not in the best interest of the children. One school of thought is that evidence of frequency and severity of domestic violence is an indication of a future, behavior which points to the fact that it would not be in the best interest of a child to award custody in equal parts to the other party. Any incidents of child or spousal abuse should be discussed in-depth with your Mesa divorce lawyer to ensure you are able to achieve your desired outcome when it comes to securing custody of your children.

Mental Illness

Mental illness can be brought about by stress, depression, or other physical impairments, all of which can have a significant impact on how a child may be cared for while in a parent’s custody. The court, under Arizona law, must take into consideration
how mental illness affects parenting and the relationship with the child. If, after a divorce, one partner is determined to have a severe mental illness that makes them prone to outbursts, violent actions, frequent hospitalizations, or sexual abuse, then full
custody may be granted in favor of the other parent. A parent involved in severe child neglect or child abuse can lose their parental rights.

Alcohol or Drug Abuse

Alcohol and drug abuse can have detrimental impacts on the life of a child. In some instances, if a parent struggles with drug and substance abuse, child protection agencies may prohibit parental care. The court can deny a parent with a drug or substance addiction the right to share in the custody of the children after a divorce, and if left untreated, the court may completely terminate the parental rights and grant full custody of the child to the other parent. The family court does not have the authority to
terminate parental rights but does have the power to refer the parties and their case to a juvenile court where a dependency action is initiated to address removal of rights.

Call Us Today

Generally, the divorce process is difficult for everyone involved, but to protect your children, it is vital to understand various grounds considered by family courts to award full custody. To find more about these considerations contact our Mesa divorce lawyers today for a free consultation where we will discuss what you need to know regarding your children, your rights to custody, and the options you have of helping protect your children during and after the divorce.

The post Grounds for Being Awarded Full Custody of Children as part of Divorce appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

Reduces Divorce Rate

Proponents of Covenant Marriages feel that they help in strengthening the relationships of the couples who decide to enter into this type of marriage. One reason is that covenant marriages provide a framework of education about marriage and the couple’s role in strengthening society. This gives couples practical, resourceful information that can prevent the most basic causes of marital discord that leads to divorce. Another reason covenant marriages could be argued are successful is that many couples tend to fear the tedious divorce process that a covenant marriage requires. Divorce can tend to seem like a waste of time and resources in comparison to other alternatives, so the couple seeks other ways of eliminating problems in their partnerships rather than simply part ways. These few reasons often lead to a reduced divorce rate.

The Potential Problems of Covenant Marriages

As we have already stated, a covenant marriage must go through a much longer process for divorce. While this has its potential upsides, this is also potentially detrimental to a couple in a covenant marriage. Divorce may be necessary if abuse, drugs, child neglect, or other major problems arise during marriage. Without the option of a relatively quick divorce, a couple may be inevitably stuck in a harmful marriage that they can’t escape fast enough. Another drawback, depending on some people’s political backgrounds and views, is it may seem like the State is trying to control or dictate what they believe should be the ideal marriage, which may not fit the ideals of the couples themselves. For every couple, they should evaluate what their goals and beliefs are before getting married and consider from there whether a covenant marriage is worth it to them or not.

If Divorce is Inevitable

Over time, statistical analyses comparing covenant marriages and traditional marriages have shown that covenant marriages have a higher rate of longevity. Considering the divorce process is also much longer, the State argues that couples now have ample time to look deep into the benefits of marriage helping them to reflect on their differences. Nevertheless, there are still many circumstances and reasons that divorce may be the best option, especially when it comes down to abuse, violence, or any other unrepairable aspect of a marriage. In simple terms, covenant marriage is great if both parties are dedicated to improving and working collaboratively with one another, but they may require some help down the road if something happens to one or both of the partners. If you are in Mesa and are struggling in your marriage, visit with our Mesa divorce attorneys. Even if you entered a covenant marriage, we can help you with the entire divorce process to ensure you are adequately taken care of.

The post About Covenant Marriage in Arizona appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

The divorce process is typically much more straightforward for couples without children than it is for parents. But what about parents-to-be? When one spouse is pregnant, the pregnancy does affect their divorce – sometimes, making it unrealistic for the couple to divorce until the baby is born. If the pregnancy resulted from the affair you are citing as your grounds for filing divorce, your situation can be even more complicated. Do not attempt to tackle the difficult process of divorcing while pregnant without an experienced divorce lawyer to guide and advocate for you.

You Cannot Create a Child Custody or Child Support Order Until the Baby is Born

Although you can begin preparing for your divorce before the baby is born by making plans for how you will divide your assets and paying down your marital debt, the divorce most likely will not be finalized until after the baby is born. This is because Arizona courts cannot create child custody order or child support orders for fetuses. The court cannot deny you a divorce solely because of you or your partner’s pregnancy, but it can also push off finalizing it until it can create these key orders. Every child has the right to be financially supported by both parents, and in most cases, it is in a child’s best interest, no matter how young he or she is, to have a consistent relationship with both of his or her parents.

Paternity and Divorce

When a baby is born to a married mother, the mother’s husband is assumed to be the baby’s biological father and automatically granted parental rights. This is also true when a baby is born within the 10 months following the mother’s divorce because her husband is assumed to be the baby’s biological father.

Waiting until a child is born to file for divorce can be an easy way for parents to avoid the hassle of establishing his or her paternity. Conversely, when a woman is pregnant by an affair partner, her husband may sign a Waiver of Paternity to avoid becoming responsible for the child. When he signs this document, the child’s biological father can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form or work with the Division of Child Support Services to establish his paternity. Only by legally establishing paternity can a father obtain legal rights to his child, and only by legally waiving his paternity can a divorcing man avoid becoming the legal father to his wife’s child when the child is not his, all of which can affect child support amount payments.

Work with an Experienced Mesa Divorce Attorney

Pregnancy can make the divorce process considerably more complicated than it would be otherwise. If you or your spouse is pregnant and you know your marriage is over, discuss your case with an experienced divorce lawyer to determine the most productive course of action for ending the marriage. Contact our team at Edwards & Petersen, PLC today to schedule your initial consultation in our office.

The post How Pregnancy Can Hinder the Results of Your Divorce appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

The state of Arizona witnessed 856 fatal car accidents in the year 2016, a number that resulted in the deaths of 952 people, and calculates to the death of approximately 2.61 persons per day. This high rate of death and the frequency of fatal car accidents in our state are unacceptable, and facts that our Mesa car accident attorneys at the law office of Edwards & Petersen, PLC find harrowing.

Our lawyers are passionate about representing those who have been involved in car accidents and their family members and are equally as interested in determining common factors that contribute to fatal car accidents and ways of mitigating fatal crashes as such.

Common Factors that Contribute to Fatal Car Accidents

Car accidents occur for a number of reasons, ranging from distracted drivers to broken traffic devices and many more. But fatal crashes are especially concerning, and the factors that contribute to fatal car accidents are often unique. Consider the following factors that often contribute to car accidents that result in the loss of life.

• Speeding. Speeding is not just a common cause of car accidents, but a common cause of a fatal car accident. Indeed, the faster a vehicle is traveling, the greater the risk of accident, and the greater the risk of serious injury or death resulting from this accident. This is based on physics, which tells us that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration. Logic holds, then, that the faster a vehicle is moving, the more force involved in a collision. The more force involved, the greater the extent of damages.
• Alcohol-impaired driving. Another common cause of car accidents that is strongly associated with an increased risk of fatality is alcohol-impaired driving. To be sure, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly 29 people per day die in alcohol-related crashes in the United States. What’s more, about one-third of all crash fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk drivers.
• Angle of impact. A third significant risk factor that affects whether or not an accident will be fatal is the angle of impact of the motor vehicles involved. The least deadly collision type is a rear-end crash (although these crashes may be fatal in some cases); the most deadly collision type is a head-on crash. T-bone accidents and rollover crashes can also lead to fatalities.
• Seatbelt use. Finally, the use of a seatbelt may be lifesaving. The NHTSA reports that the number of lives that could have been saved if a seatbelt would have been used is 2,456. Unfortunately, there are more than 25 million people around the country who still don’t buckle up.

Get Help if You’ve Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Crash

If your family member has been killed in a fatal car accident, our hearts go out to you and your family. Our Mesa car accident attorneys understand the tragedy you’re dealing with and your feelings of grief and anger.

While nothing can change what has happened, filing a car accident claim and pursuing financial compensation can offer a sense of closure, and provide your family with the economic support you need. To learn more, please call our Mesa car accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We are here to support you.

The post Most Common Factors Contributing to Fatal Car Accidents in Mesa appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

If you have ever thought about when to get a divorce in Mesa, AZ, you are certainly not alone. In fact, according to a recent study, Mesa has the 13th fastest growing population of divorcees in the entire country, many of whom work with the help of a Mesa divorce attorney. In 1970, only 3.5 percent of the people in Mesa were divorced. As of 2010, that number has jumped to nearly 13 percent of the city’s population.

While divorce is relatively common, that does not make it easy. Many people struggle with the concept, not sure if they are truly making the right decision in ending their marriage. It is true that some marriages can be saved — even when they are brought to the brink. At the same time, there are many cases in which getting a divorce is not only a valid choice but is the best decision for everyone involved. Below, we have listed five of the most common reasons why divorce may be the right decision for you, your spouse, and your family.

1. Infidelity (Extramarital Affairs)

Infidelity is cited as one of the leading causes of divorce in Arizona. An extramarital affair is absolutely a valid reason to get a divorce. In some cases, the core problem may be the infidelity itself. In other cases, the marital infidelity may be a sign of much deeper issues. The loss of trust that comes with cheating can be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to overcome.

2. Financial Problems

Financial issues are another common reason why couples split up in Mesa, Arizona. As any person who has experienced them knows well, financial difficulties can cause tremendous stress on a relationship. While financial problems can be resolved in some cases, there are also couples who are simply financially incompatible.

3. Conflict and Arguments /Abuse

A marriage that is in constant conflict is not good for anyone. Your relationship should be a source of stability, not stress. When couples regularly get into serious arguments or fights, it could be a sign that they simply are not meant to be together. Both partners may be far happier in the long run if they end the marriage and move on. If fighting extends into any type of abuse, either towards a spouse or children, divorce is often the best option to ensure that this kind of environment is dissolved. If abuse is causing problems in your marriage, seek help immediately from local authorities before doing anything else. Afterward, call a divorce attorney who can help you start the legal separation process.

4. They Got Married Too Quickly

Some marriages break up because the couple never should have tied the knot in the first place. Among the best predictors of divorce are ‘age’ and ‘length of relationship prior to the marriage’. Couples that get married very young or very quickly may end up in a relationship that is simply not right for them.

5. An Irretrievably Broken Marriage

Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 25-312), couples have the right to file for a no-fault divorce. They only thing that they need to prove is that they meet the state’s residency requirements and that their marriage is irretrievably broken. Marriages break down for many different reasons — from loss of passion to different long-term goals or visions. If your marriage has broken down and you know that it cannot be fixed, that is a valid reason to get a divorce.

Get Help From a Mesa, AZ Divorce Lawyer

At Edwards & Petersen, PLC, our top-rated Arizona divorce attorneys have the skills and experience needed to protect your rights. If you are thinking about when to get a divorce, it is imperative that you seek professional legal guidance sooner rather than later.

For a free, no obligation family law consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our Mesa divorce attorneys today. With an office in the heart of Mesa, we are proud to serve communities throughout Maricopa County, including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, and Scottsdale.

The post 5 Valid Reasons Couples in Mesa Get Divorced appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

The rise of social media changed how we interact with each other and the world. Today, marriages have to manage the role social media will play in their lives, and depending on how couples approach social media, it has the capacity to strengthen martial bonds or even drive couples toward divorce. To protect your marriage from a social media-related divorce, consider following these guidelines.

Don’t Argue with Each Other

Most married couples encounter disagreements or fights, but your arguments should never occur on a social media profile. Arguing publicly is often humiliating for both of you and it only cements feelings and tense emotions in writing. Social media also presents your arguments to followers and friends, giving you an unwanted audience that opens your marriage to more people. This can lead to even more trouble in a marriage down the road, even if the fight or argument is over.

Do Support Each Other’s Efforts on Social Media

Use social media to strengthen your relationship with your spouse, not tear it down. When your spouse posts about his or her work achievements or personal successes, consider “like”-ing or commenting on the posts. You can use social media to support him or her by being there electronically as well as in real life.

Don’t Violate Each Other’s Privacy

It isn’t a good idea to post sensitive, private information about your partner online without his or her permission. This includes jokes about his or her habits or perspective. Similarly, do not share information like his or her phone number, email address, or accounts on other social media. Even when you have no malicious intent, invading your partner’s privacy online can strain your relationship.

Do Ask Permission to Post Certain Images

Before you post images or other content that contains your partner or child to social media, talk to him or her about it. Everybody has the right to decide whether they want a picture of themselves posted online. If you are the parent of a minor child, you or your spouse might decide you do not want certain pictures of your child online – or any at all.

Don’t Insult Either Party’s Former Partner

Social media is not the place to start conflicts. If you feel strongly that your spouse’s former partner is a poor parent or you are upset about how he or she treats your spouse, vent your frustrations to your spouse privately. Your entire list of friends does not need to know how you feel about your spouse’s former partner or the details of your disagreements with him or her.

If your spouse has a parenting plan with his or her former partner, posting negative content about the former partner can potentially have a negative impact on the parenting plan. As a general rule, keep yourself out of the parenting plan – online and offline.

Our Experienced Mesa Family Lawyers are Here to Help You

Being married takes work. Sometimes, working at your marriage involves bringing in outside professional help from an experienced family lawyer. To get started with a member of our team at Edwards & Petersen, PLC, contact our office to set up your initial consultation.

The post Social Media Dos and Don’ts During a Marriage appeared first on Edwards & Petersen, PLC.

The goals of these guidelines include complying with state and federal law, providing guidance to courts and parents, and establishing reasonable, consistent standards of support. The guidelines apply to all natural and adopted children, whether born in or out of wedlock.

What Is the Priority of the Child Support Obligation?

Child support takes priority over any other financial obligation, even the support of your own parents or stepchildren. This is because parents have a legal duty to support their natural or adopted children.

Does Child Support Negate Spousal Maintenance?

No, the parent entitled to spousal maintenance may also receive child support. In addition, the court determines spousal maintenance first when both are required. However, spousal maintenance is included as gross income. In addition, the spouse paying spousal maintenance may include this as an adjustment in his or her gross income, assuming maintenance is actually being paid.

What Is the Basic Support Obligation?

The Center for Policy Research reviewed the Arizona Child Support Schedule to arrive at the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations. The table below describes the basic monthly support amount, which is based on the combined adjusted gross income of both parents. This is the minimum monthly amount a child is expected to “cost” his or her parents and includes standard items such as food and clothing.

This amount forms the basis of the parents’ monthly child support obligation. However, it is not the “final” amount; it may be adjusted to include expenses such as childcare, health insurance, and other recurring incidentals (see the next section).

(Click to View Full ARIZONA CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE ARIZONA SUPREME COURT)

How Are Adjustments to the Child Support Obligation Determined?

The court uses yearly figures to determine adjustments rather than assigning varying amounts for each month. In other words, expenses that occur only during certain months are calculated yearly and then divided by 12 to arrive at a monthly expense. One example is differences in childcare costs. If before- and after-school care costs $150 per month during the nine months of the school year, the yearly cost is $150 x 9 or $1,350. Divided by 12, the monthly adjustment for this expense is $113 (all amounts are rounded to the closest dollar amount).

This calculation is how you arrive at all adjustments, including fees for sports programs, extracurricular activities, and other occasional expenses.

The Schedule Shows the Basic Child Support. Do Adjustments Make It Higher?

Typically, adjustments increase the child support obligation. Of course, gross income adjustments typically lower the basic child support amount.

Common adjustments include expenses for daycare, education, health insurance, and extraordinary child needs. In addition, the Older Child Adjustment for children 12 and older adds around 10 percent to the basic child support obligation.

What Is the Presumed Support Amount?

The amount suggested by these new guidelines is the presumed child support ordered. However, the court will consider whether applying these guidelines presents an inappropriate or unjust order and will deviate from the guidelines accordingly.

Who Is the Primary Residential Parent?

This is the parent who has the greatest amount of parenting time during the year.

When Will the Court Deviate from these Guidelines?

The court considers all relevant factors when determining an order for child support. If the new Arizona Child Support Guidelines are inappropriate or unjust in your case, or if it is in the best interests of your child, the court will deviate from these guidelines. If this happens, the court makes a written ruling, including what the order would have been without the deviation and what the order is after the deviation.

The court MAY deviate from the guidelines if all parties agree, the agreement is in writing and according to statute, and all parties entered into the agreement with complete understanding of the amount that child support would have been pursuant to these guidelines. If the court is sure all parties entered into the agreement free of duress, it makes a written ruling as above.

Deviations are more common in cases where there is a significant income disparity between parents.

What Is the Duration of Child Support?

When entering a child support order (either initial or modified), the court establishes a presumptive date for termination of the order. This is the last day of the month that the youngest child turns 18 UNLESS the child completes high school after age 18. In that case, the presumptive termination date is the last day of the month he or she is expected to graduate high school or when the child turns 19, whichever comes first. If circumstances change, this date may be modified.

The Order of Assignment issued by the court includes this date. The entity withholding funds for the payment of this order will discontinue withholding after the final pay period of the month of the presumptive termination date. However, if the current payment includes arrearages, the payor will continue withholding until a further order.

The court determines the presumptive date based on two assumptions. First, that the child begins 1st grade if he or she turns 6 on or before September 1. If not, he or she enters 1st grade the following year. Second, that the child will graduate from high school during the month of May, after completing the 12th grade. Examples:

• If your child turns 6 on June 20, 2019, the child support order ends June 30, 2031, the month he or she turns 18.
• If your child’s birthday is February 20, 2019, the child support order ends May 31, 2031, because his or her 18th birthday occurs during the school year.
• If his or her 6th birthday is September 30, 2019, the child support order ends May 31, 2032, since he or she turned 18 during the school year and that is the presumed month of high school graduation.

How Is Gross Income Determined?

The combined gross income of both parents forms the basis of the amount of child support, so it’s important to know what the court considers “income.”

In essence, this includes all income, not just wages from traditional employment. Gross income may include, but is not limited to:

• Salaries, wages, bonuses, and commissions
• Annuities
• Capital gains
• Dividends and interest
• Recurring gifts
• Self-employment
• Severance pay and pensions
• Spousal maintenance
• Unemployment benefits
• Workers’ compensation benefits

Non-cash benefits are assigned a cash value and seasonal income is annualized the same way adjustments are.

Child support is not considered part of income (because the funds are owed to the child, not the parent receiving them on behalf of the child). Public assistance is also not counted as income, including SSI and TANF.

My Job Pays a Per Diem. Is that Counted as Income?

Yes, payments from your employer that reduce living expenses significantly are counted as income.

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