How is child support calculated in Florida?
Florida calculates child support using statewide guidelines based on both parents’ combined net income. Health insurance and child care costs are factored in, and so is the number of overnights each parent has. When each parent has at least 20 percent of the overnights (73 a year), a time-sharing adjustment applies. The exact amount depends on your family’s numbers.
How Florida calculates child support
Most parents start with one question: “How much child support will I get?” or “How much will I have to pay?” Florida answers that with statewide guidelines, so the process follows a set formula instead of a guess.
The starting point is both parents’ combined net income, which is income after allowed deductions. From there, other pieces of your family’s situation are added to the calculation.
Every family’s numbers are different. Having accurate income and cost information from the start makes the calculation more reliable and helps avoid surprises later. These are the main pieces:
- Each parent’s net income
- The number of overnights the children spend with each parent
- Health insurance costs
- Child care costs
Why overnights and time-sharing matter
Child support and time-sharing are connected. When each parent has the children for at least 20 percent of the overnights, which works out to 73 overnights a year, a time-sharing adjustment applies to the support calculation.
That is one reason it helps to look at your parenting plan and your support case together. A change in the schedule can change the numbers, so it is important that the overnights in your plan match how your family really lives. Keeping a simple calendar of overnights can help if the actual schedule is ever in question.
Changing a child support order
Families change. Incomes go up or down, and schedules shift as children grow. Florida allows a support order to be modified, but there must be a substantial change in circumstances.
Under the guidelines, a change is generally considered when the new amount would differ from the current amount by at least 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater. Whether your situation qualifies depends on your case and the court, so it helps to run the numbers before you file.
The same standard applies whether you pay support or receive it. If your income has dropped, or the other parent’s income has gone up, talk with us about whether the change is enough to ask the court to take another look.
When support ends, and support in paternity cases
Child support generally ends when a child turns 18. It can continue to 19 if the child is still in high school and is expected to graduate before turning 19.
If you and the other parent were never married, support may be part of a paternity case. In paternity cases, the court can order retroactive child support, meaning support for a past period, for up to 24 months before the petition was filed. Our paternity page explains more about that process.
How Annette Sanchez Law helps
- Review both parents' income information and walk you through how Florida's guidelines apply to your family.
- Check that overnights, health insurance, and child care costs are accurately reflected in the calculation.
- Handle requests to modify support, and help you respond if the other parent asks the court for a change.
- Look for agreement where it is possible, with the perspective of a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, and prepare for court when it is not.
Frequently asked questions
How do I modify child support in Florida?
You ask the court to modify the existing order. To qualify, there must be a substantial change in circumstances. Under Florida’s guidelines, a change is generally considered when the new amount would differ from the current amount by at least 15 percent or 50 dollars, whichever is greater. We can review your income, the schedule, and your current order to see whether a modification makes sense.
When does child support end in Florida?
Child support generally ends when the child turns 18. Support can continue until 19 if the child is still in high school and is expected to graduate before turning 19. Your specific order may include details about timing, so it is a good idea to read it closely or have us review it with you if you are unsure.
What happens if the other parent doesn't pay child support?
A child support order is a court order, and the court can enforce it. The options available depend on your case and the court. In the meantime, keep a clear record of payments you received and payments that were missed. If you are the parent having trouble paying, talk with a lawyer early about your options, including whether a modification may apply.
If we have 50/50 time-sharing, does anyone pay child support?
Equal time-sharing does not automatically mean no support. Florida’s guidelines are based on both parents’ combined net income, and they also factor in health insurance and child care costs. Overnights matter too, and a time-sharing adjustment applies when each parent has at least 20 percent of the overnights. The result depends on your family’s actual numbers.
Can I get back child support for the time before we went to court?
In paternity cases, the court can order retroactive child support for up to 24 months before the petition was filed. Whether that applies to you, and how much may be ordered, depends on the facts of your case and the court. If you have been raising your child without financial help, talking with us sooner can help you understand your options.
Are health insurance and day care costs included in child support?
Yes. Health insurance and child care costs are factored into Florida’s child support calculation, along with both parents’ combined net income and the number of overnights each parent has. Getting these costs right matters, so gather recent statements, bills, or receipts before your consultation. We will review how each cost fits into your family’s calculation.
