How Does Child Support Work in Florida?

Florida is one of many states that uses an “income shares” model to calculate child support obligations when spouses divorce or when couples end their relationships but share minor children. In these circumstances, child support issues are typically determined alongside parental responsibilities and time-sharing (previously known as legal and physical child custody up until 2008). When it comes to child support, how does the income shares model work, and what factors does the court take into account in determining how child support should be paid by each parent? Our Port St. Lucie child support lawyers can explain in more detail below, and we can speak with you today if you are expecting a child support case in your future.

Understanding Florida’s “Income Shares” Model

Under the Florida income shares model for child support, the aim is for the child or children to receive the same amount of financial support from each of their parents that they would have received if their parents were still together and in a single household. Accordingly, the court’s aim is to look at the total support obligation for the child or children, and then to determine each parent’s income and other financial contributions in order to identify each parent’s total proportion of the support obligation.

With this model, both parents contribute financially to the total support obligation, with each paying a portion of it.

How the Calculations Work

The court takes each parent’s net incomes, combines them, and determines the total support obligation for the child or children — based on that total combined income — according to a statutory schedule. Then, the court looks at expenses for the children such as health insurance, as well as each parent’s deductions that can include, for example, child support being paid for other children, or required taxes and insurance costs.

Once deductions are made, the court also takes into account time-sharing, or the number of overnights with each parent. Depending on the time-sharing circumstances, the court can simply assess each parent’s income in relation to the total support obligation and the total percentage of the obligation they are responsible for paying, or can apply a more complex method when both parents have a substantial number of overnights with the child or children.

Contact Our Port St. Lucie Family Law Attorneys Today to Discuss Your Florida Child Support Case

If you and your spouse, or your partner, are separating or getting divorced and you share minor children, you should begin preparing for your child support case in Florida. As we discussed above, Florida uses an “income shares” model, which assumes that both parents are financially responsible for their children and that the children should be supported by both parents based on each parent’s circumstances and ability to pay. Whether you have questions or you need assistance with your Florida child support case, you should get in touch with an experienced Port St. Lucie family law attorney at Baginski Brandt & Brandt today. Contact our firm to learn more about how we can help you with child support matters and other family law issues.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html