Orlando Lawyers - Divorce and Family Law

ORLANDO LAWYERS - CRIMINAL DEFENSE, DIVORCE, DUI & PERSONAL INJURY

CHILD SUPPORT INFORMATION:
Each Spouse has a responsibility to support their children according
to their needs and financial abilities. This obligation usually ceases
when the child turns eighteen, although, in certain cases involving
special needs, it may extend beyond this date. On this page of our
firm's website we provide some general information about Child
Support in Florida. For more specific information, Call us Today at
(407) 648-5255 speak with an Orlando Family Law attorney
about your individual situation.

Child Support -Child Support is calculated pursuant to Florida
Statute 61.30, which uses a formula that considers the income of
both parents, child care costs, medical insurance and expenses,
and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.

If the Court is going to order payment of child support in an amounts which vary more than 5
percent from the guidelines, it must make a written finding explaining why ordering payment of
such guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Some of the factors that may be
considered by the Court in its decision to adjust the minimum child support amount:

Extraordinary medical, psychological, educational, or dental expenses.
Independent income of the child, not to include moneys received by a child from supplemental
security income.
The payment of support for a parent which regularly has been paid and for which there is a
demonstrated need.
Seasonal variations in one or both parents' incomes or expenses.
The age of the child, taking into account the greater needs of older children.
Special needs, such as costs that may be associated with the disability of a child, that have
traditionally been met within the family budget even though the fulfilling of those needs will
cause the support to exceed the proposed guidelines.
Total available assets of the obligee, obligor, and the child.
The impact of the Internal Revenue Service dependency exemption and waiver of that
exemption. The court may order the primary residential parent to execute a waiver of the Internal
Revenue Service dependency exemption if the noncustodial parent is current in support
payments.
When application of the child support guidelines requires a person to pay another person more
than 55 percent of his or her gross income for a child support obligation for current support
resulting from a single support order.
The particular shared parental arrangement, such as where the child spends a significant
amount of time, but less than 40 percent of the overnights, with the noncustodial parent, thereby
reducing the financial expenditures incurred by the primary residential parent; or the refusal of
the noncustodial parent to become involved in the activities of the child.
Any other adjustment which is needed to achieve an equitable result which may include, but not
be limited to, a reasonable and necessary existing expense or debt. Such expense or debt may
include, but is not limited to, a reasonable and necessary expense or debt which the parties
jointly incurred during the marriage.

In an initial determination of child support in a divorce, paternity case or a petition for support
during a marriage, the court has discretion to award child support retroactive to the date when the
parents did not reside together in the same household with the child. This court can go back 24
months preceding the filing of the petition.

Modification of Child Support - An existing order regarding child support is subject to modification
if there is a substantial change in circumstances. The guidelines may provide a basis for proving
a substantial change in circumstances. However, the difference between the existing monthly
obligation and the amount provided for under the guidelines must be at least 15 percent or $50,
whichever amount is greater, before the court may find that the guidelines provide a substantial
change in circumstances.

Visit the following link to view Child Support amounts for various incomes and the calculations
used to determine the amount of child support owed: Child Support Guidelines Worksheet

For more information about any of these issues, Call us today at (407) 648-5255 to speak with an
Orlando Family Law and Divorce attorney to see how we can help you. We represent individuals
with Divorce and Family law issues throughout the Orlando and Central Florida area.

Our Family Law Pages: Family Law Home Page> Child Custody> Child Support> D ivorce>
Injunctions> Paternity> Free Divorce Guide> FAQ Family Law & Divorce> Mandatory
Disclosure Rule>

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision which should not be based solely on advertisements. The information presented at this site is not legal
advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. This site is designed to provide only general information. The facts of your case are unique,
and you should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us to speak with an Orlando DUI Lawyer at your
earliest convenience to schedule a consultation.

WILSON

GET A FREE CASE REVIEW TODAY
Speak with an Attorney Today to learn how the law
affects your individual situation, your options, and the
costs of representation should you decide to retain us.