Order and deposits match
Document the controlling order, actual receipt and the separate continuance period for each payment stream.
Direct answer
A borrower is not required to disclose alimony or child support unless relying on it to qualify. When used, underwriting evaluates the legal obligation, receipt history, amount and required continuance.
Support-income review
- Decide whether support income is needed for qualification before providing private records.
- Collect the complete controlling order or agreement and all relevant modifications.
- Document actual receipt with bank records or official payment history.
- Confirm the expected continuation period for the borrower and each child.
- Resolve missed, irregular or changing payments with the loan officer before underwriting.
Support documentation matrix
| Issue | Evidence | Underwriting question |
|---|---|---|
| Ordered amount | Final order/agreement | What is legally due? |
| Actual receipt | Deposits or state record | What is consistently received? |
| End date | Order and age terms | Does it continue long enough? |
Support-income privacy and continuance test
Fannie Mae B3-3.4-02 covers alimony, child support, equalization payments and separate maintenance. A borrower is not required to disclose support income unless choosing to rely on it for qualification. When used, the lender evaluates the controlling agreement or order, actual receipt and continuance.
Provide the complete operative document plus modifications, then reconcile ordered amounts with deposits or official payment records. Identify each child’s applicable end condition instead of assuming every payment shares one expiration date.
Irregular or partial receipt requires a documented analysis. Mortgage staff should request income evidence, not unrelated details about the family dispute.
Florida decision cases
Partial or irregular receipt
Underwriting must analyze documented receipt; the ordered amount alone is not stable income.
Income not needed
The borrower need not volunteer support income solely because it exists.
Use: identify the closest case, collect the named evidence, and have the lender apply the current agency section to the complete borrower and property file. These cases illustrate decision paths, not approval outcomes.
Joe’s Advice
“Only offer support income if it is needed, then provide the complete order and a clean receipt trail. Partial pages create more questions and can hide an approaching end date.”
— Joseph “Joe” Pistone, NMLS# 2087918
Current primary sources
Current agency guidance and the complete loan file control. Lender overlays and automated-underwriting findings may add requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Must I disclose child support if I do not need it to qualify?
No. A borrower is not required to disclose alimony, child support or separate maintenance unless choosing to have it considered for repayment ability.
What proves support income?
The file generally needs the controlling order or agreement and evidence of actual receipt for the period required by the guide.
How is the end date evaluated?
The lender reviews the agreement and applicable conditions for each payment stream to determine whether required continuance is supported.
Can irregular support payments be averaged?
The lender must analyze the documented receipt pattern and current guide; the ordered amount alone does not prove stable receipt.
Do I need to provide medical or custody details?
Only information relevant to the income and its continuance should be requested; ask the lender to explain any condition that appears unrelated.
Review the actual Florida file
Bring the address, contract, income and asset records, debts, property documents and questions that apply to the transaction.
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Educational information only; not legal, tax or investment advice, a rate quote, approval, commitment to lend or guarantee of closing. Eligibility, documentation, pricing, payment, cash to close and timing depend on the complete application, property and current program requirements.