Family Law Economics, Child Support and Alimony Ruminations on Income: Part One

Florida Bar Journal, Vol. 78, No. 5, p. 34, 2004

6 Pages Posted: 11 Jul 2010

See all articles by Steven J. Willis

Steven J. Willis

University of Florida Levin College of Law

Date Written: 2004

Abstract

Family Law economic issues involve complicated matters of accounting, finance, and tax law. This article - the first in a two-part series - focuses on Florida issues involves alimony and child support.

Readers may want to think of Family Law from the perspective of a Tax Lawyer. In tax law, practitioners plan transactions to save approximately 35 cents on the dollar. The same kinds of planning techniques - from income deferral to expense acceleration - apply to family law matters; however, the consequences are much greater. If a person reduces his or her income by a dollar in a base period, he may save up to ten cents of child support - for many years. The present value could easily be more than one dollar. The same is true of alimony. Hence, while tax planning saves 35%, divorce planning may save 200% or more - just considering the alimony and child support issues.

A later article will focus on similar issues involving property distribution.

Keywords: Alimony, Child Support

Suggested Citation

Willis, Steven J., Family Law Economics, Child Support and Alimony Ruminations on Income: Part One (2004). Florida Bar Journal, Vol. 78, No. 5, p. 34, 2004, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1638450

Steven J. Willis (Contact Author)

University of Florida Levin College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 117625
Gainesville, FL 32611-7625
United States
(352) 273-0680 (Phone)
(352) 392-7647 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.ufl.edu/faculty/willis/

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