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Can a lender ask about alimony, child support, or separate maintenance I receive?

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Short answer

Generally only if you want that income counted as part of the credit application. The CFPB says a lender or broker may ask whether listed income is alimony, child support, or separate maintenance. The company must also say that this income does not have to be disclosed if you do not want it counted. This FAQ does not advise whether to disclose that income.

Full explanation

The CFPB says a lender or broker may ask whether income shown on an application comes from alimony, child support, or separate maintenance. In general, those payments are considered only if you want the creditor to count them.
The company must also say that this income does not have to be disclosed if you do not want it counted. This is a description of the question the CFPB says a creditor may ask, not advice about whether a particular applicant should disclose support income.
This is general information, not legal advice about a credit file.

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Educational summary of public sources. Not personalized advice. The original official source controls where applicable.

Last reviewed

September 10, 2026

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