Child Support Attorney Sarasota Florida

Understanding Child Support in Florida and How it Works

Child support in Sarasota Florida is a legal obligation that requires a non-custodial parent to contribute financially towards the care and support of his or her child(ren). In Florida, child support is governed by the Florida Statutes, specifically Chapter 61. The state has established guidelines that determine the amount of child support that should be paid based on the parents’ incomes, the number of children involved, and other factors such as healthcare costs, daycare costs as well as the number of overnights the children spend with their respective parents.  The purpose of child support is to ensure that the children’s basic needs are met, including food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare.

Child Support Payments

Child support is typically paid to the custodial parent, who is usually the parent that the child lives with the majority of the time by the non-custodial parent. Child support payments must be made in a timely manner.  If a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the state of Florida has various enforcement mechanisms to collect the overdue payments. These mechanisms include wage garnishment, intercepting tax refunds, and suspension of driver’s licenses and professional licenses.

It’s worth noting that child support payments in Florida typically continue until the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school (provided there is a reasonable expectation that the child will graduate before reaching the age of 19), whichever occurs later. In some cases, child support may continue beyond that, for example, if the child has a physical or mental disability that began before they turned 18 and requires ongoing care. In such a case child support may continue indefinitely.

Modifcation of Child Support in Sarasota, FL.

In Florida, a parent with the help of a family law attorney can request a modification of child support based on a substantial change in circumstances that affects their ability to pay or the child’s needs. The statutory requirement for a modification of child support based solely on financial substantial change is governed by Florida Statute 61.30.  The new calculation resulting from the financial changes must amount to either 15% of the previous obligation or $50 per month, whichever is less.

Under this statute, a substantial change in circumstances must be significant, material, and permanent, and must have occurred since the entry of the last order establishing or modifying child support. Examples of a substantial change in circumstances that may warrant a modification of child support include:

• A substantial increase or decrease in either parent’s income or assets;
• A significant change in the child’s needs, such as a change in health care expenses, educational expenses, or childcare expenses;
• A change in the parenting plan or time-sharing arrangement that significantly affects the amount of time the child spends with each parent;
• The emancipation of a child or the addition of a new child to the family; or
• A change in the cost of living or economic circumstances.

If a substantial change in circumstances has occurred, the requesting parent must file a Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support. The court will then review the request and determine whether a modification of child support is appropriate based on the evidence presented.  It is important to understand that child support is modified by court order.

Top Rated Child Support Attorney in Sarasota Florida

Loftus Law’s conscientious child support attorneys are at your service to aid you in preparing the crucial documents to establish paternity in your case. We’ll do what it takes to ensure that your child receives all the benefits and child support they are entitled to. As every lawsuit is unique, contact us to schedule a consultation and discuss the particulars of your case for personalized support.