Information Regarding Florida Child Support The determination of child support is one of the most critical decisions made

in cases of family law. Under Florida child support guidelines, if one of the divorced parents of a child spends less than 146 overnights with the child, the standard child support formula applies. If the child spends at least 146 overnights with both parents, the gross up method is used in calculating child support. Guidelines also take into consideration both parents incomes, cost of providing child care, the standard day-to-day needs of the child as well as the cost of healthcare. Judges may take into consideration an individual childs case involving special medical expenses. They also take into consideration whether or not the parent receiving financial child support has also been awarded alimony and will be receiving alimony payments. The Florida Child Support Calculator The Florida child support calculator is a useful tool for calculating / estimating child support amounts, but the amount determined is nothing but an estimate since individual judges may place emphasis on other factors not indicated in the calculator. Calculations made are for informational / educational purposes only. The Florida child support calculator does not take into consideration adjustments for children who are not subject to the custody order but who are living with one of the divorced parents. The calculator includes requests for the following information: y y y y y y y Monthly net income of the non-custodial parent Monthly net income of the custodial parent The number of children subject to the pending action/determination The cost per month of daycare paid by the non-custodial parent The monthly cost of daycare paid by the custodial parent Monthly cost of dental, vision, and primary health care medical insurance paid by the non-custodial parent Monthly cost of dental, vision, and primary health care medical insurance paid by the custodial parent

Please remember, the number calculated is only an estimate. Florida courts have the final authority in determining the amount of child support to be awarded. Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Program The Florida Child Support Enforcement Program administered by the Florida Department of Revenue provides assistance to families in need of help with child support throughout the state of

Florida. The Department of Revenue has administered the program since 1994. You may contact the Florida Child Enforcement Program for assistance with any of the following: y Determination of paternityif the child was born out of wedlock and the mother needs to establish legal paternity or is not certain who the father is, the Florida Child Enforcement Program can be of help. Help may be provided with acknowledgement of paternity, administrative orders involving genetic testing, court orders, and legitimation. Application for child support ordersthe program can help with making applications for court-ordered child support. Child support becomes a legal obligation only as the result of a child support order issued by the court. Determination of the amount of child supportthe Child Support Enforcement Program helps get both parents to come to an agreement regarding the appropriate amount of child support according to Florida state guidelines. Enforcement of child support ordershelp can be provided with enforcement of child support orders through suspension of licenses (driving licenses, professional licenses, etc.). IRS tax refunds can be intercepted as can unemployment insurance benefits, workers compensation benefits, insurance settlements, lottery winnings, etc. Liens against property can be put into place. Banking accounts can be frozen. A negligent parent who refuses to pay child support can even be arrested and prosecuted. Modification of child support ordersas life and financial circumstances change, changes may also need to be made to child support orders. Either parents financial status must have changed enough to result in a ten percent difference in child support paid monthly. The first modification cannot be made until three years have passed from the initial child support determination.

According to the Florida Department of Revenue, the Child Support Enforcement Program makes a difference by making sure families receive the child support they deserve and need. According to their mission statement, the program is designed to do the following: y y y y Serve families with concern, respect, and professionalism Facilitate the providing of support by parents for their children Make sure families can depend on receiving child support payments Work with partners, parents, and with the community as a whole to continuously improve the Florida child support program

If You Have Questions About Child Support, Marital, or Family Law in the State of Florida, Contact the Law Offices of Brian M. MoskowitzFamily Law Attorneys Serving South Florida. We provide family law services to individuals throughout the state of Florida including the South Florida communities of Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and all of Palm Beach County.

Call us at (561) 369-4481 or fill out our online contact form. These articles are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.