When there are viable claims for both alimony and child support, often the Court will award “undifferentiated family support”, which is a combined number that will encompass both types of awards. This can be an opportunity to get a tax benefit normally associated with alimony but not available for child support, but one should be […]
Category: Child Support
Court Ordered Child Support Beyond Age 18: A Real Possibility In Many Cases
Many parents are of the belief that child support terminates immediately upon the minor child reaching age 18. However, the state of Florida does permit extensions of child support beyond the age of majority in certain circumstances. F.S. 743.07 provides: (1) The disability of nonage is hereby removed for all persons in this state who are […]
Caution Re: Retroactive Child Support
Parties should be aware that the obligation to pay child support begins immediately upon the separation of the parties. F.S. 61.30(17) states: “In an initial determination of child support, whether in a paternity action, dissolution of marriage action, or petition for support during the marriage, the court has discretion to award child support retroactive to […]
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and It’s Impact On Child Support
Florida Statute 61.30(1) creates the presumptive amount of child support that an obligor should pay, dependent on the timesharing schedule, incomes of the parties, health insurance expenses, and other factors. In the event a parent is disabled and receives SSDI payments from the government, that income is specifically includable in their gross monthly income pursuant […]
Child Support – Direct Payment vs. The Depository
Many older (and some newer) final judgments provide for a child support obligation that is to be paid directly to the other parent via check, money order, or otherwise. However, most court-ordered child support obligations must be paid through the state depository in Tallahassee, which then disburses the funds to the payee. Upon disbursement, the […]
The Relationship Between Timesharing And Child Support
Florida Statute 61.30 provides the guideline calculations for determining the amount of financial support the parents are required to pay. In addition to the respective incomes of the parties, health insurance costs, daycare expenses, and tax obligations, the child support amount is largely affected by the timesharing schedule ordered by the court. Parents who exercise […]
Child Support
Child support in Florida is a legal duty paid by both parents. The child support is not for the personal use of the receiving parent. It is the child(ren)’s money and is to be used for their use only. The parents that are involved in the divorce/paternity action do not have the right to waive […]
Florida Child Support Laws
When a couple separates and has children together, it is urgent that the father seek advice from an experienced father’s rights attorney as soon as possible. Child support is a legal duty that is paid by both parents and, under Florida child support laws, the obligation to pay child support begins immediately upon the separation […]
Child Support And Extra Curricular Activities
Extracurricular Activities Typically, child support guidelines distinguish between child-related expenses that are included in the basic child support award and entertainment-related expenses. Entertainment-related expenses are generally not included in basic child support awards. Thus, the non-custodial parent (one who does not have physical custody) does not have to contribute to the cost associated with extracurricular […]
How Is Child Support Calculated?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by individuals involved in a divorce or paternity action. There is both a long and short answer to the question. The short answer is that the Florida Statutes provide a guideline amount for child support. Most attorneys and all judges use a program which they input […]