How Is Child Support Calculated In Florida?
Under Florida divorce law, the court may order either or both parents to pay an amount necessary for the support of the minor children of the marriage. Florida has established child support guidelines to calculate child support. The guidelines are determined by the income of the parents, and other factors. Other elements of child support include:
- The cost of health insurance for the children
- The cost of day care or after school care expenses, where appropriate
- Under certain circumstances, the cost of private school
We will help you calculate how much will be paid or received in child support based upon these guidelines. Under Florida law, child support normally terminates when your child graduates from high school even if your child is 18 years old before he or she graduates, as long as graduation occurs before age 19. If a child is physically or mentally dependent, child support can be required to continue after the age of majority. Child support does not include the expenses of a college education. The parties may agree to contribute to these expenses, but the Court cannot require financial responsibilities for your children after they graduate from high school. The court also cannot order automatic cost of living increases in child support unless the parties agree to such terms. Child support is always modifiable upon proof of a substantial change in financial circumstances that meet certain requirements under Florida law.