Artificial Intelligence and Erroneously “Correct-Sounding” Answers

Please do not rely on information provided by Artificial Intelligence in your search for answers to difficult legal questions and always check for errors with the assistance of an attorney.

Artificial Intelligence is not a substitute for attorney work or research especially in matters involving dissolution of marriage, child custody, child support, parenting time, domestic abuse, separation, or any other complicated legal issue. Artificial Intelligence is swiftly becoming a modern tool used in many settings including research for quick answers to complicated questions. However, at best it should be used with much caution because it creates seemingly correct answers that might be completely wrong or unreliable to complicated problems.

On a major platform, AI claimed certain income is not included as gross income for purposes of calculating child support in Minnesota. However, this AI was completely wrong in its analysis. In Minnesota technically, certain pre-tax contributions and deductions made/taken by employees may be included in gross income. There is a potential scenario where such contribution might not be included as gross income. However, this requires more in-depth analysis than AI can manage.

In fact, the Minnesota Statute specifically provides that gross income includes periodic payments to an individual such as salary, wage, commission, self-employment income, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, annuity payments, military and naval retirement, pension and disability payments, spousal maintenance received under prior order or current proceeding, social security or veteran benefits provided for joint child, and potential income before participating in employer-sponsored benefit plans allowing an employee’s payment of benefits or expenses using pre-tax amounts.

In summary and as a correction to erroneous information provided by AI, certain contributions that are funded by an employee using pre-tax dollars may be included as “gross income” for child support calculation purposes.

Rather than rely on AI for answers, consult an attorney to determine your rights, accuracy of your position, and potential claims. For further information, please contact us at 612-444-6445 or by email at tiffany@dustlawoffice.com.