Child Support

In virtually all divorce or separation cases that involve minor children, the court will set out how the child is to be cared for financially. Child Support is a payment for a child’s care, made to the parent who has physical custody of the minor children.

The amount of child support will depend on the income of both parents and the amount of time the minor child resides with each parent. Many state guidelines also provide for add-on amounts for: child care, health care and health insurance, special education or and other related needs.

Florida follows an “Income Shares Model” for calculating the amount of child support. Essentially the court will estimate the amount of money the parents would’ve spent on their children if they remained together, and this amount is divided between the two parents based on their incomes. All Florida courts look to the Florida Child Support Guidelines (found at Florida Statute 61.30) to guide them in crafting child support orders.

Can child support orders be modified?

Typically the courts will only consider child support modifications when there is a substantial change in one of the parent’s circumstances or income. Parents can be eligible for a child support modification following a job loss or other significant life event.

If you’re the parent who receives child support  on behalf of your child, you can be eligible for a child support modification if the child’s education costs or medical expenses have gone up considerably.

It is important to note that some states put a limit on how often they will reconsider child support awards. For example, some states will only review modification requests once every 24-months.

Changes may occur in this area of law. The information provided is brought to you as a public service, and is intended to help you better understand the law in general. It is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem or substitute for the advice of a lawyer.

Changes may occur in this area of law. The information provided is brought to you as a public service, and is intended to help you better understand the law in general. It is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem or substitute for the advice of a lawyer.