Divorce processes become complex when children are involved. That is because the average child support in Florida comes into play. A spouse has to pay the relevant amount legally until their kid turns into an adult.
If you’re seeking separation, you may be wondering what the average child support in Florida is. The good news is we know all about it.
So let’s look at the amount you will be required to pay to support your kids.
Average Child Support In Florida
The average child support in Florida is not fixed because it depends on the incomes of both parents. This amount is also divided according to the number of children you will be supporting.
For example, if your income is $4,000 and you have to support one child, the average child support in Florida will be $828 per month. If you earn the same amount but have more children, the payment value will increase.
It is easy to understand the average child support in Florida in two ways:
- A family lawyer
- A Florida child support calculator
Child Support Guidelines In Florida: An Overview
Florida uses an income-sharing model to determine the amount each parent would spend on their children if they were not divorced. This means the amount is calculated assuming that the parents are living together.
Such a method allows courts to determine the correct value for the average child support in Florida. The amount is also divided as per the incomes of the parents. Other child support guidelines also come into play during this issue.
Remember the average child support in Florida is a legal requirement for all parents divorcing with minor kids in this state. Many different factors also affect child support such as:
- Gross income
- How many kids the couple has
- Parenting time
- The kid’s healthcare costs
- Education costs
How Much Is Child Support In Florida: A Step-By-Step Guide For Accurate Calculations
You may want to know how much is child support in Florida to get an estimate of the amount you may receive or pay.
Since there is no fixed average child support in Florida, you will have to use a calculation method. Let’s look at all the steps you must take to determine how much is child support in Florida:
Step1: Calculate The Monthly Net Income Of You And Your Spouse
The top thing you must do to determine child support payments is calculate the gross income of you and your spouse. That is because a financial affidavit is necessary to submit within 45 days of filing for child support.
Both parties will fill out separate affidavits with their annual income details and other expenses. You will have to give the document to the court clerk for filing. It will also be sent to the other spouse to ensure complete transparency.
Remember the monthly net income is the amount you take home after all taxes and other deductibles have been cut. You can calculate it by including your salary, bonuses, and other extra income.
It is important to know your monthly net income when determining the average child support in Florida. That is because there are different affidavits for varying amounts.
For example, you will have to get form 12.902(b) if your net annual income is less than $50,000. Meanwhile, form 12. 902(c) is for all those having a gross yearly income of more than $50,000.
You will be able to calculate your gross yearly income value by combining your net monthly income. Every parent has to fill out these forms when child support payments are an issue.
The court will use these documents to determine which parent would be paying more average child support in Florida.
Step 2: Determine The Monthly Available Income Of You And Your Spouse Combined
Another calculation you will have to do for child support payments is combining your monthly income with your spouse’s income. That is why both parties must exercise transparency in child support issues.
If you both don’t disclose your true income, you may not be able to reach an accurate value for average child support in Florida. So sit with your spouse after you receive each other’s financial affidavits through Florida court.
You will then add the gross monthly income of your spouse to your net monthly income. This will allow you guys to determine the total amount that would have been available in your household if you were still together.
For example, you may be earning $3,000 net income monthly after deductions and your spouse may be bringing home a $1,500 gross salary. So the net monthly available income of your household would be $4,500.
This calculation is important because it will later help with determining the financial share of each parent towards the child. Other factors such as time-sharing with the kid will also affect the division.
The court is always fair in determining which party will pay most of the average child support in Florida.
Step 3: Factor In The Percentage Of Responsibility That Falls On Each Party
The share of average child support in Florida that each parent has to pay can be determined by a specific formula. You will have to use the earlier mentioned incomes to see how much responsibility of child support payments falls to you.
You must divide your gross monthly income with the total net monthly income. So if your net salary was $3,500 and the combined income was $4,500, you must divide them. The number you will reach after the division is 0.78.
Now, you must multiply this figure by 100 to determine your financial responsibility in percentage. This means you will have to pay 78% of average child support in Florida.
Your spouse will use the same formula with their own net monthly salary to determine their share of financial responsibility. If one of the partners already knows their percentage, you must also subtract that from 100 to understand your share.
These calculations may seem complex, but they are easy if you know your income values accurately. All you have to do is bring out a calculator and play with the numbers according to the formula.
The first step is always dividing combined and individual monthly incomes, while the second step is multiplying the answer by 100.
Step 4: Calculate The Monthly Obligation
Now that you know you and your spouse know your financial responsibilities, you must determine the value you will have to pay. The number of children will significantly affect child support payments. However, Florida laws have made it easy to calculate monthly obligations.
The top thing you must do is review form 12.902(e) which offers access to the child support worksheet. You will have to check the first column of the sheet to find the combined income value of your household.
If it’s $4,500, you will scroll the first column until you reach this value. Then look at the other columns with the relevant number of children. For example, the third column will show you the monthly obligation values of parents with two kids.
Note that this monthly obligation is the total amount that you and your spouse must share together. This value for a family having two kids and a combined net income of $4,500 is $1,423 in Florida.
Avoid multiplying the obligation value with your financial responsibility percentage to know the amount you must pay.
That is because time-sharing with the kid will also affect the final value you have to offer as average child support in Florida.
Step 5: Adjust The Number Based On Time Spent With Each Parent
Some believe that checking the child support worksheet is enough to know the amount they have to pay. However, that’s not true. There are a few different factors that you must consider and apply to the monthly obligation value.
For example, you must adjust the figure using the time each parent spends with the kid. If a parent has less than 20% of time-sharing with their child, they will use the primary obligation value. This percentage amounts to less than 73 overnights per year.
The primary obligation is the one you will find in the guideline worksheet through the relevant columns. If both parents have more than 20% time, the obligation value has to be multiplied by 1.5.
Multiplying the value will give you a new obligation amount that you must use for the next steps. Once you know the latest value, you can multiply that with your financial responsibility share to know how much is child support in Florida for you.
Your spouse will also multiply their financial responsibility percentage to know the value of their monthly child support payments.
If one of the parents has less than 20% time with the kid, then skip this step.
Step 6: Factor In Other Expenses
Determining the average child support in Florida also requires factoring in different expenses. These include the combined expenses that both parents pay for their child’s:
- Medical care
- Dental care
- Healthcare insurance
Once you know these expenses, multiply the combined value by your financial responsibility percentage. If it is more than the share you pay, the rest will be covered by your spouse.
For example, you may be paying $350 per month for your child’s dental care. Meanwhile, your spouse may be contributing $350 per month for daycare. This means your combined expenses will be $700.
Now multiply this $700 by your financial responsibility percentage such as 0.78. You will get a value of $546. Since you’re already paying $350, the rest $196 will be paid by your spouse.
Besides that, your spouse is paying $350 for daycare already. So they will subtract $196 from it. The difference of $154 will be remaining, which will be added to your monthly obligation value.
The general rule of thumb you must understand for this step is that if any parent is paying more than their claim, the difference will be added to the other spouse’s obligation value.
Step 7: Determine The Monthly Payable Amount In Child Support
The final step to calculating the average child support in Florida is determining the monthly payable. Whichever parent will have the higher obligation value, they will be the party paying child support.
You can find out the monthly payable by subtracting the higher amount from the lower amount. For example, if the time-sharing of one parent is less than 20%, you will follow the $1,423 primary obligation value.
This will be multiplied by 0.78 to find out your share, which will be $1,109. Meanwhile, your partner will multiply the value by 0.22 to get a final figure of $313.
For the monthly payable, you will deduct $313 from your obligation value and pay the difference as child support. This is the calculation without any other expenses involved.
If expenses are involved, the remaining share of the lower-value party will be subtracted from your obligation amount.
How Long Will The Child Support Payments Last?
Child support payments will last as long as your kid falls into the minor category. Once the child turns 18, you will no longer have to pay their child support payments.
However, if your kid has a mental or physical disability, you may have to continue paying child support for the rest of their life.
If a child turns 18, but they still have not graduated, you must pay child support until they graduate.
FAQs
How Much Should A Father Pay For Child Support In Florida?
There are no set requirements for a father to pay a specific amount in child support. The value is found using the incomes of both parents. You may use a Florida child support calculator to get an estimate.
Is Florida A 50/50 State For Child Support?
Florida is a 50/50 state for child support. This means even if both parents have equal time-sharing, child support payments must still be given after the relevant calculations.
Do Both Parents Have To Pay Child Support In Florida?
In Florida, both parents must legally support their child until they come of adult age. However, one parent will have to pay the other spouse mainly after a divorce.
What Is The Minimum Child Support In Florida?
The minimum child support payment in Florida is $50 monthly. This figure rises according to the income of parents.
Contact A Family Lawyer In Florida For Accurate Child Support Amounts
That was all you needed to know about the average child support in Florida. Calculating the value yourself is complex because you will have to multiply and divide figures at various times.
The best way to determine accurate child support payments is by hiring a lawyer. Contact us today to benefit from our services.
