Florida Child Support

Child Support Guidelines

The first step in getting child support in Florida is working with the Florida Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines allow the courts to focus on the following when trying to figure out how much child support is adequate:

• Gross income of both parents
• The monthly expenses of the children
• Health insurance coverage for the children
• Any other child care expenses

The court, nevertheless, is always free to deviate from the child support guidelines and order support which is appropriate. If the court deviates from the child support guidelines, the judge must specifically state his/her reasons for the deviation in writing.

Getting a Child Support Order

The Florida Child Support Calculator allows the court to examine the finances of the parents and the expenses and needs of the child in order to determine how much child support is appropriate.

The court examines several factors, including but not limited to the following:

• Both parents' gross monthly income
• Other income such as alimony
• Federal, state, and local taxes paid
• Court ordered support for other children
• Total monthly child care expenses
• Health insurance premiums and the cost of medical expenses that are not covered by health insurance

Modifying the Child Support Order

Either parent may request a modification of a Florida child support order if it has been at least three years since the last support amount was ordered, modified, or reviewed by the court. To petition for modification when the previous order was entered more than three years ago, the difference between the current support amount and the requested amount must be at least 10% or $25 per month--whichever amount is greater.

Generally, the court will modify a child support order if the court finds:

• A raise or cut in the income of either parent
• A change in the custody of a child
• Addition of or a change in the availability of health insurance coverage
• Obligation of either parent to support other dependants (children or elderly parents)
• Additional unexpected medical or educational expenses

For more information on obtaining a modification of an existing child support order in Florida, call toll-free 1-800-622-KIDS (5437).

Terminating Child Support

Generally, the court will only require child support payments until the child turns 18 and graduates from high school, turns 19, dies, or is emancipated--whichever happens first. But, the Florida child support obligation may not end if the child has special needs or a disability that causes them to remain dependent after 18 or 19. Sometimes, the court will even extend child support obligations if the child attends college or other post-secondary education.

Enforcement

The Florida Department of Revenue is in charge of enforcing all child support orders once they are issued by the courts. This agency can enforce the Florida child support order by:

• Suspending Florida driver licenses
• Suspending other licenses such as hunting and fishing licenses, occupational, or professional licenses
• Garnishing IRS tax refunds
• Garnishing Florida Lottery winnings over $600, unemployment compensation, and worker's compensation
• Requiring employers to deduct child support from noncustodial parents' wages (otherwise known as a mandatory payroll deduction)
• Cooperating with the court in the getting arrest warrants, which are entered into Florida's crime computer and used by law enforcement officers statewide to apprehend and keep individuals in custody
• Placing liens on homes or land and personal property such as cars and boats
• Reporting the child support debt to credit bureaus, which can affect the noncustodial parent's credit rating and ability to obtain loans
• Placing bank account levies and garnishments

Useful Telephone Numbers

• Florida's Child Support Enforcement Customer Service can be contacted toll free at 1-800-622-KIDS (5437) from 7:00AM to 7:00PM EST, Monday thru Friday.
• The Florida Department of Revenue's Automatic Payment Line (APL), 1-800-226-6777, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• The State Disbursement Unit's phone number is 1-877-769-0251 (toll free).
• Dade County's Child Support Enforcement Customer Service phone number is (305) 530-2600.
• Manatee County's Child Support Enforcement Customer Service phone number is (941) 741-4039.

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