Attorney Preparation of Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
If you’re getting divorced in Florida, and children are involved, one partner may be required to pay child support to the spouse who has custody. To determine how much these payments will be, the state uses a child support guideline worksheet .
Most Florida counties will require you to file this worksheet prior to granting the dissolution of your marriage. Doing so allows them to account for important factors in the divorce, such as each party’s income, the child’s health insurance costs, daycare expenses, and more.
You can purchase the Florida child support guidelines worksheet right here on our website. Once you’ve filled it out with all the correct information, our child support attorney will review it with you to determine the next steps.
$300
Understanding Child Support Guidelines
The entire goal of child support guidelines is to ensure that the children of divorce receive adequate financial support from both parents, even if one parent retains full custody. These guidelines provide an important framework for calculating fair, appropriate payments.
Florida uses an “Income Shares Model,” which considers both parents’ incomes to determine the amount of child support each parent is responsible for providing. The child support guidelines worksheet also helps determine things like the cost of childcare and providing for any special needs.
At Untying The Knot, our child support attorneys are experienced at working with all kinds of parents and custody arrangements to determine what’s best for the child – and what support payments should look like. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.
Factors Relevant to the Child Support Guidelines
- Parental income and employment
- Expenses (medical and other)
- Specific needs of the child
- Number of children
- Time spent with the child
- Existing court orders
Benefits of Working With a Child Support Attorney
When filling out the Florida child support guidelines worksheet, it’s always best to work closely with an experienced attorney. They’ll provide valuable insight into what can impact the calculations, as well as personalized guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.
If you and your co-parent have disagreements or complexities arise during the calculation process, a child support attorney can also advocate on your behalf and help negotiate a fair resolution. This includes addressing any disputes that may arise regarding income determination or other relevant factors.
Perhaps most importantly, working with a child support attorney ensures that your rights (and your child’s rights) are protected throughout the divorce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do you have to pay child support if you have 50/50 custody in Florida?
Both parents are required to financially support their children in Florida.
Although joint custody can provide equal (or nearly equal) time with a child, one parent may inevitably pay child support to the other, depending on the calculations determined by the Florida child support guidelines worksheet.
Q2. If both parents agree, can they waive child support in Florida?
Even if both parents agree, they generally cannot waive child support. The state’s public policy is to prioritize the best interests of the child, and child support is considered a right belonging to the child rather than the parents.
As a result, courts typically do not allow parents to waive child support obligations, as doing so could potentially deprive the child of necessary financial support.
However, if both parents have reached a voluntary agreement that meets the child’s needs and is deemed fair and reasonable by the court, a judge may approve a deviation from the state’s standard child support guidelines.
This deviation can occur if both parents demonstrate that they have considered the child’s financial needs and have made appropriate provisions for support outside of the standard child support calculation.
Remember: child support guidelines are not solely based on the parents’ agreement. Rather, payments are always subject to court approval to ensure that the child’s best interests are protected.
Q3. How often can child support be modified in Florida?
Child support orders can generally be modified when or if there is a substantial change in circumstances that warrants a modification. This change could include significant changes in either parent’s income, changes in the child’s needs, or changes in parenting time arrangements.
There is no strict limit on how often child support can be modified, but courts typically require that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the entry of the last child support order. Temporary fluctuations in income or minor changes are usually not sufficient grounds for modification.
Q4. What is the maximum percentage of child support in Florida?
In Florida, there isn’t a fixed maximum percentage of income that can be awarded as child support. The percentage of income allocated for child support can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.
However, child support orders must be reasonable and in accordance with the Florida child support guidelines worksheet. Courts have the discretion to deviate from the guidelines in certain circumstances, but any deviations must be justified and in the best interests of the child.
Q5. What is the cut-off age for child support in Florida?
In Florida, the cut-off age for child support is typically 18 years old. However, child support may continue beyond the age of 18 if certain conditions are met.
Specifically, child support may continue until the age of 19 if the child is still in high school and expected to graduate before reaching the age of 19. Additionally, child support may be extended indefinitely if the child has special needs that require ongoing financial support.