Dear Attorneys,
I have a “side hustle” selling ornaments on Etsy. I get a decent amount of business from probably September through early December. The rest of the year, it’s sporadic for obvious reasons. I’m now going through a divorce, and my husband told his attorney that I make at least $2,000 per month through this, so she is asking for all of my transaction statements. It’s true that I make that for a couple months, but not consistently throughout the year. Do I have to turn over my transaction history? How do I reflect this on my financial affidavit?
Sincerely,
Olivia’s Ornaments
Dear Olivia,
That sounds like a fun side business! You most likely do need to turn over your transactional history because it will be proof of the income earned. However, in this case, it will likely help you because you can show what you have made over a full-year rather than just one-quarter of the year. Your tax return should also reflect the total income earned from your ornament business. As far as your financial affidavit, that is supposed to be averaged out over thirteen weeks, since it creates a “snapshot” of your current financial picture. That said, in your case, if you only make maybe $8,000 per year or so, it may be beneficial to take your total earned to date this year and divide it by the number of weeks of the year that have passed so that it’s a consistent reflection of earnings. You should consider speaking with an attorney to get some more specific advice, but just know that the Court is only going to base financial awards on what can be proven through evidence absent an agreement.
Remember, you don’t have to navigate this challenging situation alone. Seek support from experienced professionals who can guide you through the legal process and help you make informed decisions. Wolf & Shore Law Group is here to help you make your family law matters easier, not harder. We are realistic and direct with our clients. We encourage potential clients to seek out a firm where they will feel comfortable and confident. Ever argue with a woman? Let Wolf & Shore Law Group go to work for you. Call us at 203.745.3151 or email us at info@wolfandshorelaw.com.
Very Truly Yours,
Wolf & Shore Law Group
*The situations represented in our Dear Attorneys column are entirely fictional and any resemblance to a specific case is unintentional. We cannot, and will not, offer legal advice to anyone who is not a client. However, if you do have questions or concerns, you should contact an attorney at your convenience.
