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Child Support Serving Families Throughout Jacksonville For Over 25 Years

How is Child Support Calculated in Florida?

Child support is determined by state guidelines, with some of the major factors being:

  • The number of children
  • The income of each parent
  • Costs associated with child care
  • Costs associated with medical insurance
  • Time spent with the children

To calculate child support in Florida, the courts take the view that both parents should share as equally as possible in three areas of parenting:

In practice, however, the parent with a larger income typically covers a greater share of the expenses of raising the child. Support is usually paid to the parent who spends the most time with the child, but each case is different, and the income of both parents is part of the calculation. In the case of an unmarried mother, it is necessary to establish paternity before seeking child support.

There are many online child support calculators, but the truth is that they are not reliable. Calculating child support in FL is too nuanced and depends on a judge's view of your net income and parental responsibility. Therefore, child support cannot be accurately calculated by a Florida child support calculator tool you find online.

Our seasoned child support lawyer in Jacksonville, FL can help you fight for a fair child support order or assist you with that process and petition the court for support from the father of your child. We can also assist someone facing a paternity action when he is not the father of the child. Our firm has built a reputation for our legal skills and dedication to the best possible results for our clients.

Understanding Child Support Tax Implications in FL

In Florida, child support is not taxable to the recipient or tax-deductible by the payer. This means that, if you receive child support, you do not have to include it as income on your tax return or, if you pay child support, you cannot list it as a deduction on your tax return.

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Modifying Child Support in Florida

Circumstances in everyone's lives can change suddenly and unexpectedly. Sudden unemployment, unanticipated medical emergencies, bankruptcy or domestic violence can justify a modification of a divorce decree. Dramatic changes in income, health or behavior can all be a reason to petition the court to modify a child support ruling.

In most circumstances, individuals petitioning for modification of child support payments will have to show proof of things like:

  • Salary or wages
  • Bonuses
  • Disability benefits
  • Workers' compensation
  • Pension
  • Income from royalties or trusts
  • Social Security benefits

However, according to Florida Statutes § 61.30(c), if the amount of child support award differs by at least 10 percent but not less than $25, then the modification order will be approved without proof of a change in circumstances. To learn more about qualifying for a modification, please consult a divorce lawyer from our firm.

If you wish to modify your original child support agreement, you should first speak to a Jacksonville child support attorney at the Law Offices of Jason K.S. Porter, P.A. We can discuss the changes you have experienced and advise you on the best way to proceed.

Contact the firm for skilled and dedicated advocacy in your family law matters.

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