Child Support Laws in Florida
There are various child support laws in Florida
The Section of the Florida Statutes that mainly addresses child support is Section 61.30. The title of the Section is “Child support guidelines; retroactive child support.”
Section 61.30 should be read and understood prior to calculating child support in Florida. There are other child support laws in Florida that may have an impact on child support, but Section 61.30 is by far the most important.
Section 61.30 contains the factors that determine gross income as well as the allowable deductions from gross income. The Calculator on this site starts with monthly net income, but a full and complete understanding of allowable deductions in deriving net income is critically important to accurately calculate child support.
Other child support laws in Florida
Below are links to some of the more commonly referenced Florida Statutes setting forth the child support laws in Florida.
Section 61.13 Support of children; parenting and time-sharing; powers of court
Section 61.13 is one of the most important child support laws in Florida because it addresses time-sharing. Now the child support laws in Florida are such that when each parent has 20% or more of time with the child(ren), a “gross up method” is used to calculate child support. The Calculator shows the impact of the “gross up method” on the ultimate amount of child support that is paid.
Section 61.14 Enforcement and modification of support, maintenance, or alimony agreements or orders.
Section 61.14 is also one of the most important child support laws in Florida as it addresses how child support is enforced and modified.
Section 743.07 Rights, privileges, and obligations of persons 18 years of age or older.
Section 743.07 deals with the situation of what happens when a child is in high school when they turn 18. This Section also deals with continuing child support for a child who is dependent because of a mental or physical incapacity which began prior to the child reaching majority