Does my ex have any rights to my annual work bonus ?

[sabrzz]

arizona
my divorce was final may,2003. my ex receives only child support, no spousal maintenance. in march of 2004 i will receive a large bonus for the year,2003 . is my ex entitled to any of that money? if so, how is that calculated?

 

[MBRayph66]

I would have to say NO on that question. Child support is calculated using your wages and income. I do not think that a bonus is considered part of your wages, it is exactly as it is stated, A BONUS, and she should not be entitled to any of it. I am not a lawyer or anything, these are just my personal views. I get a large annual bonus every year as well and I know my ex gets none of it

 

[nextwife]

Mine is paid in the form of a gift certificate to a local mall.

The answer in some states is "possibly". Do a serach of this forum under bonus and you will find more info.

 

[haiku]

Mine is paid in the form of a gift certificate to a local mall.

lucky! if my husbands ex wants the turkey he gets, she can have the whole thing! much to messy to slice it in half LOL!

 

[nextwife]

Hmmm. Wonder if more employers are paying bonuses in non-cash ways specifically so their employee gets to enjoy it themsleves as the "thank You" the employer intends it to be?

 

[oneandonly]

good question, Next~

I don't believe my husband has ever received a cash bonus for Christmas. He has received turkeys (like mentioned before), gift cards, huge employee party with gifts, that sort of thing.
I suppose a cash bonus and if it can be included might depend on if it's included in a regular check? or seperate? I mention this because I got a huge sign-up bonus for my job (although I dont pay support) and part of it was included in one of my checks-taxes taken out and everything. This will be included when I file taxes for sure.
So the question would be to original poster-how is the bonus check given out?

 

[sabrzz]

i am not talking about a X-mas bonus. It is an annual sales incentive bonus. You could buy about 5,000 turkeys with this.

Thanks for all of your posts !!

 

[FJ1200guy]

My question is this: How does she know about the bonus? I don't tell my ex anything about anything I make. Unless it's in your court order, she doesn't get it... but she COULD try if she finds out about it! shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Toss me a few grand, and I won't say a thing. LOL
Later, enjoy the bonus, spend some on the kiddies! Lyle

 

[sabrzz]

Twice a year the ex can go to expidited services and file for an increase. She knows that I receive an annual bonus but does not know when I receive it or how much. I am still confused as to whether she has any rights to it or not.

Thanks !

 

[haiku]

go here www.supportguidelines.com check your states guidelines.

My thought is if this bonus gets counted as income, it "may" end up being counted....

 

[AuburnAngl]

I'm in Ohio and mine was counted as part of my income. I even had to get a letter from my boss stating that I would only receive it once this year.

I guess it all depends on who's calculating it and also if your ex knows about it and presses the issue.

Good Luck!