The FHA Loan Handbook states that a borrower may use alimony/child support income to qualify for an FHA home loan if it can be verified and meets FHA requirements. How does your FHA lender may consider alimony and child support as part of a borrower’s effective income? From HUD 4000.1:
Additionally, your lender may have a standard; in any case the lender will be required to document the income by means of the cancelled checks and other evidence as listed above.
It is important to note that we’re talking about a type of income here that is specifically defined by FHA loan rules:
“Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance Income refers to income received from a former spouse or partner or from a non-custodial parent of the Borrowers minor dependent.”
And there is also this additional clarification from HUD 4000.1:
“The Mortgagee must obtain a fully executed copy of the Borrower’s final divorce decree, legal separation agreement, court order, or voluntary payment agreement with documented receipt. When using a final divorce decree, legal separation agreement or court order, the Mortgagee must obtain evidence of receipt using deposits on bank statements; canceled checks; or documentation from the child support agency for the most recent three months that supports the amount used in qualifying.”
How are voluntary payment arrangements for alimony or child support documented?
“The Mortgagee must document the voluntary payment agreement with 12 months of canceled checks, deposit slips, or tax returns. The Mortgagee must provide evidence that the claimed income will continue for at least three years. The Mortgagee may use the front and pertinent pages of the divorce decree/settlement agreement and/or court order showing the financial details.”
Your loan officer can help you with further details on what may be required in your state. State law and lender standards may apply in addition to the FHA loan rules discussed here.
