Yes, inheritances and assets that can be used for income (even if they are idle) can be used by courts in Queens to impute income, which can result in higher payments for child support and even spousal maintenance.
It may be possible to structure a large inheritance through a trust or other financial instrument, which may lower your exposure as compared to simply receiving a lump sum from the sale of a relative’s home or a share of their life savings.
You may feel like your best bet is to simply not mention the inheritance to your ex and assume it won’t come up, but understand that if they find out later that your income is different than you acknowledged, you may be on the hook for back payments as well as a higher payment going forward.
The attorneys at Zelenitz, Shapiro & D’Agostino can help you understand the implications of a large inheritance, and how you can protect yourself when you experience a windfall.
Call us today at 718-523-1111 for a free consultation with a Queens child support attorney.