Imputed Income Calculator
Estimate the income courts may assign to a voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parent. Based on BLS wage data by occupation, education, and experience — with impact on child support and alimony.
Full imputation factor analysis (health, childcare, market adjustments), income scenario comparison across all education levels, and imputation defense strength guide.
Complete imputation analysis with net take-home after taxes, what-if income scenarios, NPV of lifetime obligation difference, and year-by-year projection chart.
What Is Imputed Income in Family Court?
Imputed income is an income amount a court assigns to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Rather than accepting a parent's reported income at face value, the court estimates what that parent could earn based on their education, skills, work history, age, and local job market — and uses that figure to calculate child support and alimony.
When Courts Impute Income
- Voluntary unemployment: Parent quit a job without good cause
- Deliberate underemployment: Working part-time when capable of full-time work
- Career downgrade: Taking a much lower-paying job than qualifications support
- Self-employment income manipulation: Reporting artificially low business income
- Delayed re-entry: Extended gap after marriage ended without valid reason
How Courts Determine the Imputed Amount
Most courts rely on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational wage data for the relevant geographic area. A vocational evaluator may be ordered to assess:
- Work history and skills inventory
- Local job availability in relevant occupations
- Education level and any retraining needed
- Physical and mental health limitations
- Childcare responsibilities that limit availability
× Experience Factor (up to +40% for 20+ years)
× Health / Market Adjustments
= Imputed Annual Income → Used for Support Calculation
Example — Voluntarily Unemployed Parent
Former marketing manager, bachelor's degree, 10 years experience, age 38, currently reporting $0 income. Custodial parent earns $80,000/yr. Two children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources & References
When to Consult a Family Law Attorney
Imputed income is a contested legal issue — courts have wide discretion and the stakes are high. Consult a licensed family law attorney if you are facing income imputation in a child support or alimony proceeding, if your employer was laid off or your business declined involuntarily, if you have health limitations or primary childcare responsibilities, or if the other party is seeking to impute income beyond what BLS data supports for your occupation and local market.