Thursday, July 5, 2012

How Child Support is Determined in Florida


Child support is a substantial commitment. Under Florida law, child support payments are intended to be used for your child's portion of expenses such as rent, electricity, food, transportation, and his or her hobbies/entertainment.   Determining the appropriate child support payment amount and method can seem daunting, but having a good understanding of the process is invaluable.

Child support obligations under Florida Law

Both parents have a monthly child support obligation.  If the child lives with his or her mom, then the child's dad sends his monthly contribution to mom so she can add it to her contribution and use the combined monthly total to pay the child's hobby/entertainment expenses and portion of the household bills.  Child support obligations are determined by a three-step process.

How child support is determined in Florida

1. Both parents' income, before expenses, are added together to get a combined income.  For example, if both parents make close to minimum wage and dad's income is $1,290 per month and mom's income is $1,060 per month, the combined income is $2,350.
2. Each parent's proportion of the combined income is calculated.  In this example, dad's income is 55 percent of the combined income.  Mom's income is 45 percent of the combined income.
3. Each parent is assessed a child support obligation proportionate to his or her percentage of the combined income.  The Florida legislature has a child support guidelines chart, which provides a predetermined basic monthly child support amount based on the parents' combined income.  For the purposes of the example, the chart indicates the basic child support obligation for a combined income of $2,350 is $515 per month.  Dad would be responsible for 55 percent of the $515, or $283.25 per month.  Mom would be responsible for 45 percent of the $515, or $231.75 per month. 

How the child support payments will be made

Once the court has calculated the child support, the court will decide to whom and how the payments will be made.  The court can order that the child support payments be made directly to the parent with whom the child lives.  If child support payments are made directly, the parents are responsible for keeping accurate records indicating how much and when each payment is made.  Alternatively, the court can order child support payments to be made to the state disbursement unit, where it is collected, recorded, and disbursed.  The court can order that the child support be paid voluntarily or by an automatic deduction from each paycheck. 

Allowable child support deductions

Parents are not allowed to stipulate to a lower child support payment.  Only a court order can create or change a child support obligation.  However, child support payments can be reduced or increased depending on the proper application of allowable deductions.  What constitutes an allowable deduction has been the subject of much controversy and subsequent litigation.  Some allowable deductions include the following:
  • Health insurance premiums
  • Mandatory retirement payments
  • Other child support payments
  • Alimony
  • Union dues
  • Uniform expenses
An experienced family law attorney will know the most current allowable deductions.  

If you fail to make timely child support payments

If you fail to make timely child support payments, you can be held in contempt of court.  The court has several tools to encourage parents to pay child support.  It can suspend privileges such as the privilege to drive, operate a business, or travel abroad.  If you fall behind in child support, the court can order you to sell almost anything you have of value.  Additionally, parents who owe overdue child support must use any income tax returns towards their child support balance.  Moreover, if the court determines the late-paying parent has money or valuables and is not paying off the child support debt, the court can have him or her put in jail for 5 months and 29 days. 

If you need help

If you are concerned that your child support payments haven't been accuratel

15 comments:

  1. This is really nice post. Child support is very nice topic. Nice summary and nice discussion. I really like this post. Nice to visit this post. Thanks for sharing.

    Professional Legal Network

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My names is Cathy i want to testify about the great spell caster called Priest Ade my husband and i have been married for 5 years now we don't have a child and the doctor told us i can't give birth because my womb have been damaged due to wrong drugs prescription this got me so worried and my husband was not happy so he decided to get married to another girl and divorce me i was so sad i told my friend about it she told me about a powerful spell caster she gave me his email address well i never believe in it that much though i just decided to give him a try and he told me it will take 24hrs to get my husband back to me and i will get pregnant i doubted him the 3rd day my husband came back to me and was crying he said he didn't want the divorce anymore 3 weeks after the doctor confirmed that i was pregnant he can also help you contact him at

      ancientspiritspellcast@yahoo.com or ancientspiritspellcast@gmail.com

      Blog: effectivespell1.blogspot.com

      Website ancientspiritspellcast.website2.me

      WhatsApp +2347059715465














































































































































































































































































































































































































      Delete
  2. What id the dad is not working anywhere or he does't have any property? how can he contribute to his wife?Legal Statements

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for this information. You had made an excellent explanation about the parents support law.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Every country has some or complete changes in their legal system. This post might provide us an idea through which we can gain an opportunity to learn about child support system in Florida. This support system includes complete expenses which a child consumes from his parent from electricity to other utility expenses on a monthly basis.
    Commercial Litigation Toronto

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello! Keep it up! This is a good read. You have such an interesting and informative page. I will be looking forward to visit your page again and for your other posts as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about Custody Lawyer. I am glad to stop by your site and know more about Custody Lawyer.
    The process of claims adjudication, in this context, is also referred to as "Medical Billing Advocacy".
    Our attorneys handle complex and contested cases, working diligently to achieve successful resolutions of disputes concerning the division of child custody, visitation, and support. Clients rely on Reade & Reade to effectively resolve unique and personal matters that require the utmost skill, attention and discretion, whether by comprehensive settlement, mediation or trial, depending upon what is in the best interest of the client.

    Custody Lawyer Salem MA

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks, this is very informative. I admire the time and effort you put into your well-detailed nice blog. I hope to see more of your write ups. Keep it up!!! For estate planning lawyer serving Peabody, MA and beyond you may also check a estate planning attorney peabody ma.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Every country has some or complete changes in their system. This post may give U.S. a thought through that we are able to gain a chance to be told regarding support payment system in Florida. This network includes complete expenses that a baby consumes from his parent from electricity to alternative utility expenses on a monthly basis. click here http://www.localmanchesterescorts.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great post! Thanks a lot for sharing this information. Cheers!

    child custody lawyer nassau county, ny

    ReplyDelete
  9. We really appreciate your suggestion. We help you with all your family law cases in Orlando, Florida.
    Family Attorney in Orlando

    ReplyDelete
  10. I valued your work exceptionally thanks Elder Law

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great post i must say and thanks for the information. Education is definitely a sticky subject. However, is still among the leading topics of our time. I appreciate your post and look forward to more. قائمة الطلبات في صحيفة الدعوى.

    ReplyDelete