What is Child Support?
Florida law recognizes the care of ones
child to be a duty and unlike alimony, it can never be waived by a contract.
Courts have adamantly encouraged both parents to share in the expense and joy
of raising ones own, and yes it is expensive but well worth it.
Child support is for the care and well
being of the child. The support typically helps cover the childs living
expenses such as: food, water, shelter, and healthcare. However, if a child has
special needs (such as heavy medical expenses) these expenses can be added to
the amount of money one receives for the care of the child. The money received
is not counted as income and unlike alimony, no taxes are paid on it.
To determine who will pay for child support
is often based upon who is the primary caretaker of the child and who is
secondary. A primary caretaker typically has the child for the majority of the
time. To determine the amount to pay, Florida follows a "Child Support
Guideline Table," which gives a calculation based on the number of
children, the wages you earned (includes retirement), and the number of
sleepovers at their respective parents homes. However, if both parents share
custody and have equal time sharing the amount given in child support may be
negligible. Parents may also through the course of their divorce contract
amongst themselves to the court on how much one will pay.
Child support payments can be modified if
there is a substantial need that was not accounted for. Courts typically look
for at least a 15% change in circumstances. Necessary changes include an
increase or decrease in income by the parent in need or by the parent who is
paying. This can happen with the lose of a job or illness or maybe your child
is not going to a private school anymore. However, a person seeking to forgo
child support payments by not working voluntarily will not be protected and
could face court sanctions including contempt. Typically, it is encouraged to
review your child support plan once every three years to make any necessary
changes.
Child support typically last until the
child reaches the age of majority, which in Florida is 18 years old. The parent
who is paying for support must file a notice with the court of the child being
of age and his/her request to stop making payments. A parent of a child who is
still in high school at age 18 may ask for the payments to continue.
When thinking of your childs future it is
important to get with a family
law attorney Clermont FL who knows the in and outs of child support.
For more information Visit https://www.jjlawfl.com/
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