When divorcing couples have children, or when parents do not live together, child support must be determined along with custody and parenting responsibilities. At Weiner & Weiss, LLC, we help Florida families achieve fair arrangements that appropriately account for the children’s needs and parents’ financial capabilities.
In Florida, child support amounts are determined using a comprehensive guideline chart that takes into account the net income of the parents and the total number of children. These guidelines are used the first time child support is ordered and every time the support amount changes. They are also used to review an existing order if a parent requests a modification. The child support guidelines consider:
The court establishing support must use the state guidelines to decide the amount that will go in a Florida support order and parenting plan. In special circumstances, however, support amounts can be higher or lower than the guideline amounts. For example, a judge may consider a child’s high medical expenses as a reason to change the support amount.
Child support amounts may also be higher or lower depending on how many overnights a child has with each parent. In all instances where the parent with fewer overnights has the child overnight 20% or more of the time, a tiered structure modifies the calculation of support to account for time spent with that parent. For example, if a non-custodial parent has 100 overnights a year, or just over 27%, he or she qualifies for reduced support.
Calculating child support payments and determining the amount of you may be entitled to receive—or obligated to pay—is difficult without the assistance of a lawyer who understands the Florida child support system. Our divorce attorneys not only determine the appropriate amounts with accuracy and efficiency, they explain the child support guidelines, and how the process of paying and receiving child support works in Florida.
If you have children and are facing divorce, please contact Weiner & Weiss, LLC to schedule a consultation with an experienced Florida child support attorney. Based in Boca Raton, we serve clients throughout the coastal communities of Broward and Palm Beach County.