Video: The Family Law Project – Child Support

In the following dramatization from Aspen Publishing, child support guidelines are reviewed:

You should note that Florida utilizes the “Income Shares” approach (the second guidelines approach discussed) to determine a child support amount.  However, in addition to including the pro rata share of income from each parent, the Florida child support guidelines also factors in deductions–such as daycare and healthcare expenses–as well as the amount of time children spend with each parent.

Keep in mind that a court has the discretion to deviate from the guideline amount under certain circumstances.  A deviation may be appropriate where (i) there are significant expenses for medical or psychological care, (ii) the child has independent income, or (iii) there are reasonable and necessary existing expenses or debts (such as tuition for private school).

Also note that, in Florida, child support is generally ordered to go on until a child is 18 years old.  However, a court may order that child support should be paid beyond the age of 18 if (i) the child, for medical reasons, cannot become independent or (ii) the child is reasonably expected to graduate high school after he or she has turned 18 but before reaching his or her 19th birthday.  Parents may also contract, in a marital settlement agreement, for child support to go on longer.