Florida Child Support — Guidelines, Calculator, Modifications & Enforcement
Florida child support is calculated using the income shares model under Florida Statute §61.30. The calculation considers both parents' net incomes, the timesharing schedule (overnights), health insurance costs, daycare costs, and the number of children. Understanding how child support works in Florida — and how to modify or enforce it — helps you prepare for what to expect.
Speak with a Florida family-law attorney about your situation. Reyes Miller Law Group represents families throughout Florida.
FLORIDA FAMILY-LAW ATTORNEY
Speak directly with an experienced Florida attorney.
Yvette B. Reyes and Reyes Miller Law Group help Florida families with divorce, custody, timesharing, parenting plans, child support, modifications, enforcement, and other family-law matters. Your consultation is with a real law firm—not an automated legal-information service.
Practicing in Florida since 1995 · Offices in Coral Gables & Boca Raton · Statewide representation · English & Spanish
The Florida Bar · Official Record
Yvette Barbara Reyes
- Bar Number
- 53510
- Admitted
- 08/25/1995
- County
- Palm Beach
- Discipline History
- None
How Florida Calculates Child Support
Florida uses an income shares model outlined in Florida Statute §61.30. The calculation considers both parents' net monthly incomes, the number of overnights each parent has, the cost of health insurance for the child, daycare or childcare costs, and the number of children. The guidelines produce a presumptive amount that the court can adjust based on specific circumstances.
What Counts as Income
Income for child support purposes is broad. It includes:
- Salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, and tips
- Self-employment income (after allowable expenses)
- Disability benefits and workers' compensation
- Unemployment benefits
- Pension, retirement, and Social Security benefits
- Rental income and investment income
- Spousal support received from a prior relationship
- Imputed income if voluntarily unemployed or underemployed
The Impact of Timesharing on Child Support
The number of overnights each parent has directly affects child support calculations. If each parent has the child at least 20% of the overnights (73 nights per year), the formula adjusts to reflect the additional expenses the overnight parent incurs. More overnights generally means a lower support obligation for that parent.
Deviations from the Guidelines
The court can deviate from the guidelines amount by up to 5% without specific findings. Deviations of more than 5% require the court to make written findings explaining why the guidelines amount is unjust or inappropriate. Common reasons for deviation include extraordinary medical expenses, seasonal income variations, special needs of the child, and income from other sources like a new spouse's contribution to household expenses.
Modifying Child Support in Florida
Child support can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — such as a significant change in either parent's income, a change in the timesharing schedule, changes in the child's needs, or changes in healthcare or childcare costs. Either parent can petition for modification. The change must generally result in at least a 15% or $50 difference from the current support amount.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
If a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, enforcement mechanisms include:
- Income deduction (garnishment) from wages
- Suspension of driver's license, professional licenses, and hunting/fishing licenses
- Passport denial
- Liens on real and personal property
- Seizure of bank accounts and tax refunds
- Contempt of court — which can include jail time
- Reporting to credit agencies
Real-World Scenarios
One parent earns significantly more than the other
The higher-earning parent will generally pay more child support. However, if the lower-earning parent has the majority of overnights, that also affects the calculation. The goal of the guidelines is to ensure the child's standard of living is consistent between both homes.
A parent is self-employed and underreporting income
If one parent believes the other is hiding income, they can request financial discovery — including tax returns, bank statements, and business records. The court can impute income based on evidence of actual earning capacity.
Child support for a child with special needs
Children with disabilities or special needs may require support beyond age 18. The court can order extended support and consider extraordinary medical, therapeutic, and educational costs that exceed what the standard guidelines cover.
Related Guides
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WHAT WE DO
- Divorce, custody & family law litigation
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