Child support and alimony in a mortgage file
Support shows up on both sides of the debt-to-income ratio. Support someone pays to a borrower can count as income if it is documented and expected to continue. Support a borrower pays to someone else is usually counted as a monthly debt, and some programs subtract alimony from income instead. This page lays out each program’s published rules side by side.
This is general education, not legal or financial advice. A decree or court order controls what is received or owed. Questions about the order itself are for a family-law attorney; questions about how a lender will count it are for a licensed loan officer. Lenders can also apply stricter rules of their own.
Side-by-side summary
A short version of each rule. The sections below explain each column and quote the details.
| Program | Received: history | Received: must continue | Received: nontaxable gross-up | Paid: child support | Paid: alimony | Payments nearly finished | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA | Court order or decree: 3 months of consistent receipt to use the current payment. Voluntary agreement: 6 months. Otherwise a two-year average (or the average over the time received). | At least 3 years. | Up to the greater of 15% or the borrower’s previous-year tax rate (15% if no return was required). | A recurring liability: the greater of the decree amount or the monthly garnishment. | Counted as a debt unless the lender already reduced income by the alimony amount. | The handbook section on support doesn’t describe a remaining-payments exception. | Source: HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.c.xii(B) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance Income, and II.A.4.c.xii(P) Nontaxable Income (Grossing Up); HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.b.iv(E) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| Fannie Mae | At least 6 months of full, regular, and timely payments. | At least 3 years from the application date. | 25%, or the actual tax amount if higher. | A monthly debt when required by a decree or written legal agreement and payments continue for more than ten months. | Same, or the lender may reduce qualifying income by the alimony instead. | Counted only when payments must continue for more than ten months. | Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.4-02, Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, or Separate Maintenance (10/07/2026); Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.1-01, General Income Information (10/07/2026); Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-6-05, Monthly Debt Obligations (08/05/2026): Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, and Separate Maintenance Payments · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| Freddie Mac | Full payments consistently received for the most recent six months. | At least three years from the Application Received Date. | Child support is excepted from the tax-exempt documentation requirement (see the Guide’s worked example below). | A monthly debt when more than 10 months of payments remain. | With more than 10 months remaining, deducted from stable monthly income instead of counted as a debt. | 10 or fewer months documented as remaining: the payment may be left out of the DTI ratio. | Source: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5305.1, Requirements for all other income (non-employment/non-self-employment), part (b) (effective 08/05/2026); Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5401.2, Monthly debt payment-to-income (DTI) ratio (effective 08/05/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| VA | No minimum period is set in this subsection; the length of time received and the regularity of receipt are factors. | At least 3 years from the anticipated closing date. | 125% of nontaxable income, for the debt-to-income ratio only. | Amount verified; treated as a liability. | Spousal support may be treated as a reduction in income. | VA regulation treats debts lasting generally 10 months or more as significant; shorter ones are still considered. | Source: VA Pamphlet 26-7 (VA Lenders Handbook), Chapter 4: Topic 2.p (alimony, child support, and maintenance income), Topic 5.b (support obligations), Topic 9 (grossing up nontaxable income) (KnowVA article 554400000330850, updated Aug 26, 2026); 38 CFR 36.4340 (VA underwriting standards), paragraphs (c), (d), (f)(4), (f)(5), and (g)(9) (eCFR, up to date as of Nov 6, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| USDA | Court-ordered: 6 months. Voluntary agreement: 1 year. | At least 3 years into the mortgage. | 25%, for repayment income. | Court-ordered debts are included unless the borrower has a release of liability. | Handled like other court-ordered debts. | Ten or fewer payments remaining may be excluded if the payment is no more than 5% of monthly repayment income. | Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 9 (rev 08-05-25), paragraph 9.8 and Attachment 9-A (Child Support; Separate Maintenance/Alimony); USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 11 (rev 11-25-25), paragraph 11.2 B.5, Court Ordered Debts · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
The decree, agreement, and proof of payments lenders ask for are in the documents checklist.
Support received: when it can count as income
Every program asks the same three questions in different ways: Is there a legal basis for the payments? Have they actually been received, in full and on time? Will they keep coming long enough? Disclosing support income is the borrower’s choice: Fannie Mae counts it only if the borrower lists it on the application and asks for it to be considered, and VA tells lenders to inform borrowers they don’t have to disclose it.Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.4-02, Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, or Separate Maintenance (10/07/2026); VA Pamphlet 26-7 (VA Lenders Handbook), Chapter 4: Topic 2.p (alimony, child support, and maintenance income), Topic 5.b (support obligations), Topic 9 (grossing up nontaxable income) (KnowVA article 554400000330850, updated Aug 26, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
1. Receipt history
The history requirement is about consistency: payments in the expected amount, on schedule, for a set period. When payments have been irregular, some programs average them instead of using the current amount.
- FHA: with a final divorce decree, legal separation agreement, or court order, consistent receipt for the most recent 3 months lets the lender use the current payment; with a voluntary agreement, the most recent 6 months. If receipt hasn’t been consistent, the lender uses the average of the last two years, or the average over the time received if shorter.Source: HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.c.xii(B) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance Income, and II.A.4.c.xii(P) Nontaxable Income (Grossing Up) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- Fannie Mae: a minimum six-month history of full, regular, and timely payments.Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.4-02, Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, or Separate Maintenance (10/07/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- Freddie Mac: “Payments in the full amount must have been consistently received for the most recent six months.” The income isn’t used if the payor has been obligated to pay for less than six months, if the payments aren’t for the full amount, or if they aren’t received on a consistent basis.Source: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5305.1, Requirements for all other income (non-employment/non-self-employment), part (b) (effective 08/05/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- VA: the handbook lists the length of time the payments have been received and the regularity of receipt as factors, along with whether there is a written agreement or court decree and whether payment can be compelled.Source: VA Pamphlet 26-7 (VA Lenders Handbook), Chapter 4: Topic 2.p (alimony, child support, and maintenance income), Topic 5.b (support obligations), Topic 9 (grossing up nontaxable income) (KnowVA article 554400000330850, updated Aug 26, 2026); 38 CFR 36.4340 (VA underwriting standards), paragraphs (c), (d), (f)(4), (f)(5), and (g)(9) (eCFR, up to date as of Nov 6, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- USDA: 6 months for court-ordered payments and 1 year for voluntary agreements. If amounts vary, the lender uses an average consistent with the payor’s current ability and willingness to pay.Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 9 (rev 08-05-25), paragraph 9.8 and Attachment 9-A (Child Support; Separate Maintenance/Alimony) · checked Nov 9, 2026
2. Continuance: how long it must keep coming
All five programs look for roughly three more years of payments. Child support often ends when a child reaches a certain age, so the children’s ages in the order matter.
- FHA: evidence the income will continue for at least three years.Source: HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.c.xii(B) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance Income, and II.A.4.c.xii(P) Nontaxable Income (Grossing Up) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- Fannie Mae: expected to continue for at least three years from the application date.Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.4-02, Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, or Separate Maintenance (10/07/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- Freddie Mac: “Document the payor is obligated to make payments to the Borrower for at least three years from the Application Received Date.”Source: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5305.1, Requirements for all other income (non-employment/non-self-employment), part (b) (effective 08/05/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- VA: likely to continue for at least 3 years from the anticipated closing date.Source: VA Pamphlet 26-7 (VA Lenders Handbook), Chapter 4: Topic 2.p (alimony, child support, and maintenance income), Topic 5.b (support obligations), Topic 9 (grossing up nontaxable income) (KnowVA article 554400000330850, updated Aug 26, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- USDA: likely to continue at least 3 years into the mortgage.Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 9 (rev 08-05-25), paragraph 9.8 and Attachment 9-A (Child Support; Separate Maintenance/Alimony) · checked Nov 9, 2026
3. Documentation
| Program | The obligation | Proof of receipt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHA | A fully executed final divorce decree, legal separation agreement, court order, or voluntary payment agreement. | Court order or decree: bank-statement deposits, canceled checks, or child support agency records for the most recent 3 months. Voluntary agreement: 12 months of canceled checks, deposit slips, or tax returns. | Source: HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.c.xii(B) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance Income, and II.A.4.c.xii(P) Nontaxable Income (Grossing Up) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| Fannie Mae | A divorce decree or separation agreement (if the divorce isn’t final), another written legal agreement or court decree, or documentation of a state law that mandates the payments. A separated borrower without a separation agreement that sets the payments can’t count proposed or voluntary payments. | The most recent six months, such as bank statements, canceled checks, or other electronic receipt. | Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.4-02, Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, or Separate Maintenance (10/07/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| Freddie Mac | Documentation that the payor is obligated to make the payments. The monthly amount used is “the documented fixed monthly payment amount.” | Full payments consistently received for the most recent six months (see receipt history above). | Source: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5305.1, Requirements for all other income (non-employment/non-self-employment), part (b) (effective 08/05/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| VA | Verification of the income if the borrower wants it considered; whether it is paid under a written agreement or court decree is a factor. | The length and regularity of receipt are factors. | Source: VA Pamphlet 26-7 (VA Lenders Handbook), Chapter 4: Topic 2.p (alimony, child support, and maintenance income), Topic 5.b (support obligations), Topic 9 (grossing up nontaxable income) (KnowVA article 554400000330850, updated Aug 26, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| USDA | Final divorce decree, legal separation agreement, or court order (front and pertinent pages) showing the amount and timeframe. | Evidence of timely receipt, such as bank statements, canceled checks, deposit slips, or tax returns. | Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 9 (rev 08-05-25), paragraph 9.8 and Attachment 9-A (Child Support; Separate Maintenance/Alimony) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
4. Grossing up nontaxable support
Child support generally isn’t taxed, while wages are counted before taxes. To compare them fairly, the programs let lenders “gross up” nontaxable income by a set percentage. The arithmetic is simple: a 25% gross-up of $1,000 adds $250, for $1,250.
- FHA: up to the greater of 15% or the borrower’s tax rate for the previous year; 15% if no return was required.Source: HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.c.xii(B) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance Income, and II.A.4.c.xii(P) Nontaxable Income (Grossing Up) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- Fannie Mae: 25% of the nontaxable income, or the actual tax amount if higher.Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.1-01, General Income Information (10/07/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- Freddie Mac: child support is excepted from the Guide’s tax-exempt documentation requirement. The Guide’s own worked example of a gross-up: $2,000 at a 30% tax rate gives $2,600.Source: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5305.1, Requirements for all other income (non-employment/non-self-employment), part (b) (effective 08/05/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- VA: 125% of the nontaxable income, used for the debt-to-income ratio only. Residual income uses the actual amount.Source: VA Pamphlet 26-7 (VA Lenders Handbook), Chapter 4: Topic 2.p (alimony, child support, and maintenance income), Topic 5.b (support obligations), Topic 9 (grossing up nontaxable income) (KnowVA article 554400000330850, updated Aug 26, 2026); 38 CFR 36.4340 (VA underwriting standards), paragraphs (c), (d), (f)(4), (f)(5), and (g)(9) (eCFR, up to date as of Nov 6, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- USDA: tax-exempt income may be grossed up 25% for repayment income.Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 9 (rev 08-05-25), paragraph 9.8 and Attachment 9-A (Child Support; Separate Maintenance/Alimony) · checked Nov 9, 2026
USDA also counts support expected in the next 12 months in household income for its income limit, a separate test from repayment income.Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 9 (rev 08-05-25), paragraph 9.8 and Attachment 9-A (Child Support; Separate Maintenance/Alimony) · checked Nov 9, 2026
Support paid: debt or income reduction
Support a borrower pays is a monthly obligation, so it affects the back-end ratio. There are two ways a program can count it: add the payment to monthly debts, or subtract it from income. Child support is counted as a debt in every program here. For alimony, the methods differ.
| Program | Child support | Alimony or separate maintenance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHA | A recurring liability. The amount is the greater of the most recent decree or agreement amount or the monthly garnishment; pay stubs covering at least 28 consecutive days are checked for garnishment. | Counted as a debt unless the lender already reduced the borrower’s income by the alimony. | Source: HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.b.iv(E) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| Fannie Mae | A monthly debt when a decree, separation agreement, or other written legal agreement requires it and payments continue for more than ten months. Voluntary payments don’t need to be counted. | Same, but the lender may reduce qualifying income by the amount instead of adding it to debts. | Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-6-05, Monthly Debt Obligations (08/05/2026): Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, and Separate Maintenance Payments · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| Freddie Mac | A monthly debt when more than 10 months of payments remain. | With more than 10 months remaining: “Instead of including these payments in the calculation of the debt, they must be deducted from the Borrower’s stable monthly income.” | Source: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5401.2, Monthly debt payment-to-income (DTI) ratio (effective 08/05/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| VA | The amount must be verified; child support is treated as a liability. | Spousal support may be treated as a reduction in income. | Source: VA Pamphlet 26-7 (VA Lenders Handbook), Chapter 4: Topic 2.p (alimony, child support, and maintenance income), Topic 5.b (support obligations), Topic 9 (grossing up nontaxable income) (KnowVA article 554400000330850, updated Aug 26, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
| USDA | Court-ordered debts, including child support, are included unless the borrower has a release of liability. The lender documents the amount and how long it lasts from the order. | Handled like other court-ordered debts; the handbook section doesn’t describe an income-reduction option. | Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 11 (rev 11-25-25), paragraph 11.2 B.5, Court Ordered Debts · checked Nov 9, 2026 |
Made-up illustration
Why the alimony method changes the math
Gross monthly income $6,000; housing payment $1,650; alimony paid $500.
Counted as a debt: front-end $1,650 ÷ $6,000 = 27.5%; back-end ($1,650 + $500) ÷ $6,000 = 35.8%.
Subtracted from income instead: income becomes $5,500; front-end and back-end are both $1,650 ÷ $5,500 = 30.0%.
The back-end ratio is lower, but the front-end ratio is higher. Which method applies depends on the program and the lender.
When payments are nearly finished
Some programs leave out support payments that are about to end. The thresholds differ:
- Fannie Mae: counted when payments must continue for more than ten months.Source: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-6-05, Monthly Debt Obligations (08/05/2026): Alimony, Child Support, Equalization Payments, and Separate Maintenance Payments · checked Nov 9, 2026
- Freddie Mac: “If the Mortgage file documentation supports that there are 10 or fewer months of payments remaining, the payment may be omitted from the DTI ratio.”Source: Freddie Mac Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide, Section 5401.2, Monthly debt payment-to-income (DTI) ratio (effective 08/05/2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- USDA: court-ordered debts with ten or fewer payments remaining may be excluded if the payment is no more than 5% of monthly repayment income.Source: USDA Handbook HB-1-3555, Chapter 11 (rev 11-25-25), paragraph 11.2 B.5, Court Ordered Debts · checked Nov 9, 2026
- VA: the regulation describes significant liabilities as those lasting generally 10 months or more, and says shorter ones must still be considered in judging the ability to meet family expenses.Source: 38 CFR 36.4340 (VA underwriting standards), paragraphs (c), (d), (f)(4), (f)(5), and (g)(9) (eCFR, up to date as of Nov 6, 2026) · checked Nov 9, 2026
- FHA: the handbook section on support doesn’t describe a remaining-payments exception.Source: HUD Handbook 4000.1, II.A.4.b.iv(E) Alimony, Child Support, and Maintenance · checked Nov 9, 2026
Try your own numbers in the DTI calculator: put support paid in other monthly debts, or subtract alimony from income to see the other method.
Guidelines change; confirm with a licensed lender.