Florida Child Support Overview
In Florida, both parents have a legal obligation to provide financial support for their children. Child support is determined using statutory guidelines outlined in Florida Statute §61.30, which considers each parent's income, the number of overnights each parent has with the child, and other factors including healthcare costs, childcare expenses, and special needs of the child.
At Marc M. Cohen, P.A., we help parents in Boca Raton and throughout South Florida navigate the child support process - whether you are seeking to establish, modify, or enforce a child support order.
How Florida Calculates Child Support
Florida uses an income-shares model that considers:
- Combined Net Income: Both parents' net monthly incomes are combined to determine the base support obligation
- Number of Children: The guideline amount increases with the number of children
- Overnight Timesharing: The number of overnights each parent has directly affects the support calculation. Parents with more than 20% of overnights (73+ nights/year) receive an adjustment
- Health Insurance: The cost of health insurance for the child is factored into the calculation
- Childcare Costs: Daycare and after-school care expenses needed for employment are included
- Special Needs: Additional costs for children with special needs may be considered
Imputing Income
When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income - that is, assign an income based on the parent's earning capacity, recent work history, qualifications, and prevailing wages in the area. Marc Cohen's MBA in Quantitative Analysis provides him with unique skills for analyzing income claims and financial documentation in these disputes.
Deviation from Guidelines
Florida courts may deviate from the guideline amount (either up or down by up to 5%, or more with written findings) when the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate. Factors that may warrant a deviation include:
- Extraordinary medical, psychological, or educational needs of the child
- Independent income of the child
- Payment of support for other children or family members
- Seasonal variations in a parent's income
- Special needs related to the age of the child
- Total available assets of each parent
Financial Expertise Matters: Child support cases often hinge on accurately determining each parent's true income. Self-employed parents, business owners, and individuals with complex compensation structures require careful financial analysis. Marc Cohen's combined legal and business education allows him to identify unreported income, evaluate business financials, and present compelling arguments about true earning capacity.
Modifying Child Support
Child support orders 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, a change in the child's needs, or a change in healthcare costs. In Florida, a modification must result in at least a 15% or $50 change in the monthly support amount.
Enforcing Child Support
When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, enforcement options include income withholding, intercepting tax refunds, suspending driver's licenses or professional licenses, reporting to credit agencies, and in serious cases, contempt of court proceedings that can result in jail time.
Contact a Boca Raton Child Support Attorney
Whether you need to establish, modify, or enforce a child support order, contact Marc M. Cohen, P.A. at (561) 740-3301 for a free consultation. We serve families throughout Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, and all of Palm Beach County.
Serving Communities Throughout South Florida
Marc M. Cohen, P.A. provides experienced legal representation in communities throughout Palm Beach County and Broward County:
- Child Support Attorney in Boca Raton
- Child Support Attorney in Boynton Beach
- Child Support Attorney in Delray Beach
- Child Support Attorney in Deerfield Beach
- Child Support Attorney in Pompano Beach
- Child Support Attorney in West Palm Beach
- Child Support Attorney in Fort Lauderdale
- Child Support Attorney in Coral Springs
- Child Support Attorney in Parkland
- Child Support Attorney in Wellington
- Child Support Attorney in Lake Worth
- Child Support Attorney in Jupiter
- Child Support Attorney in Palm Beach Gardens
See also: Palm Beach County Family Law | Broward County Family Law | South Florida Family Law