Calculating Child Support in Florida: What Parents Need to Know

Written by The Kraken Law Group Team | When the Law Gets Tough, We Get Kraken.

When parents go through a divorce or separation, one of the most critical issues to resolve is child support. Ensuring that children have the financial resources they need is essential, but understanding how Florida courts determine child support can be overwhelming. Whether you’re paying or receiving support, knowing how the calculations work can help you prepare for the financial realities ahead.

At Kraken Law Group, we fight for parents to receive fair and just child support rulings. As a trusted family law firm in Orlando, we help our clients navigate Florida’s child support laws to ensure the best possible outcome for their families.

How Child Support is Calculated in Florida

Florida follows a structured formula to determine child support payments. The court considers several key factors:

• Each Parent’s Income – Both parents’ earnings, including wages, bonuses, self-employment income, and even unemployment benefits, are factored into the calculation.
• Number of Children – The more children involved, the higher the child support obligation will be.
• Parenting Time (Time-Sharing) – The number of nights each parent spends with the child affects the child support amount. If both parents share custody equally, support obligations may be adjusted accordingly.
• Health Insurance & Medical Expenses – The cost of medical, dental, and vision insurance for the child is included in the calculation.
• Childcare Costs – If one parent pays for daycare or after-school care, those expenses are factored in.
• Other Necessary Expenses – Educational costs, special needs, and additional care expenses may be added to the support obligation.

Florida courts use the Florida Child Support Guidelines, which provide a formula to determine payment amounts based on these factors. However, courts have discretion to adjust payments if circumstances warrant a deviation from the standard calculations.

Common Misconceptions About Child Support in Florida

1. Child Support is Only Based on Income

Many people assume that child support is determined solely by each parent’s income, but other factors—such as time-sharing and medical expenses—play a significant role in the final amount.

2. Paying Child Support Means No Additional Expenses

Even if you pay court-ordered child support, you may still be responsible for additional expenses like school fees, extracurricular activities, and uncovered medical costs.

3. Child Support Automatically Adjusts Over Time

Child support does not automatically adjust as income or expenses change. If circumstances shift significantly—such as job loss, a major raise, or increased medical costs—a parent must file for a modification of child support through the court.

What Happens if a Parent Fails to Pay Child Support?

Florida takes non-payment of child support very seriously. If a parent falls behind, consequences can include:

• Wage garnishment
• Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
• Tax refund interception
• Liens on property or assets
• Possible jail time for willful non-payment

If you’re struggling to pay child support due to a legitimate financial hardship, it’s crucial to seek a modification rather than risk legal penalties.

Legal Issues That May Arise in Child Support Cases

Child support cases often overlap with other legal issues, such as parenting plans, criminal trespass laws, and recording laws in Florida. For example:

• A parent refusing visitation could lead to legal disputes over time-sharing.
• Unlawful recordings of conversations between parents could impact court proceedings, as Florida is a two-party consent state.
• Property disputes between parents may raise legal issues about who is permitted to remain in a shared home.

Having an experienced divorce and family law firm in Orlando ensures that all aspects of your case are properly handled.

Kraken Law Group: The Law Firm That Fights for You

Child support decisions impact both parents and children for years to come. At Kraken Law Group, we take an aggressive, results-driven approach to family law. Like the legendary Kraken, we fight fiercely to protect our clients’ rights and financial well-being.

• We advocate for fair and just child support rulings to ensure that children receive the financial support they need.
• We represent both paying and receiving parents, ensuring that child support obligations are properly calculated.
• We handle complex modifications and enforcement cases, protecting our clients from unfair rulings and legal penalties.

Contact Kraken Law Group Today

Although Kraken Law Group is based in Winter Park, FL, we handle family law cases across Florida. Whether you need assistance calculating child support, modifying an existing order, or enforcing payments, our firm is ready to fight for you.

Don’t leave your financial future to chance. Contact Kraken Law Group today to schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney in Orlando.

Kraken Law Group

📍 Visit Us: 1420 Gene St, Winter Park, FL
📞 Call Us: 407-900-9055
📧 Email Us: info@krakenlawgroup.com