Many people come to Weiner & Weiss, LLC with questions about paying and receiving child support in Florida. Here, we provide answers to some general questions about Florida child support laws, as well as information on enforcing child support orders.
In Florida, the amount of child support a parent may be obligated to pay, or entitled to receive, is based on guidelines defined by state law. These guidelines are standards used to figure out the support needed for a child and the amount a parent has to pay, and are designed to help make sure support amounts are fair. The Florida child support guidelines consider the income of each parent, the child’s health care and child care costs, and the standard needs for the child.
At Weiner & Weiss, LLC, we represent both mothers and fathers in custody cases, and have helped many fathers achieve and maintain fair child support arrangements with their former spouses. While in some situations, mothers pay child support to custodial fathers, in the vast majority of cases, mothers are the custodial parents and non-custodial fathers pay child support. This may be the right arrangement for many families; however, it is not always fair or appropriate. Our goal is to obtain the result that meets our clients’ needs.
A child support order is based on the income of both parents and the needs of the child. If one of these factors changes, support orders may need to be modified to reflect the parties’ current circumstances. You may qualify for a support order review if your current child support order will not end within six months from when the Florida Department of Revenue receives your request for a modification; your support order has not been changed or reviewed in the last three years; or, you can show a significant change in your life, such as an increase or decrease in income or a change in your child’s needs.
In Florida, enforcing a child support order means getting a parent to do what a child support order says. Some of the ways we can help clients enforce child support orders include:
If you are considering divorce and have children, child support will likely be a factor in your case. Please contact Weiner & Weiss, LLC in Boca Raton to learn more about Florida child support laws and how they will apply in your unique situation. We can answer any questions you may have about the process.