How To Calculate Child Support In Florida
Whenever a minor child is involved in a Florida divorce, one of the most important aspects that must be determined by the parents is the calculation of child support. The purpose of child support is to ensure that the child maintains their standard of living with both parents and is financially provided for in the same manner as if the parents were still together. At Bubley & Bubley, P.A., our experienced Tampa divorce lawyers can help determine the proper amount of support in your case. To learn more, call or contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
How Support is Calculated
General child support guidelines are provided in the Florida code, but there are many factors that can alter the outcome of a child support determination. The first step in calculating child support is determining the gross and net income of the parents. The gross income refers to all income collected by each parent, which includes the following:
- Salary,
- Wages,
- Commissions,
- Bonuses,
- Allowances,
- Interest and dividends,
- Business income,
- Disability, workers’ compensation, and unemployment benefits,
- Pension, retirement, and Social Security benefits,
- Spousal support from a prior marriage, and
- Income earned from trusts, royalties, and other assets
Net income takes the gross income and makes certain deductions like income tax, union dues, mandatory retirement payments, health insurance payments, court ordered support for other children, and spousal support. The next step is to combine the monthly net income of both parents to determine the proper level of support for the child each month based on the number of minor children in the family.
How much each parent pays in child support is determined by their percentage of the combined net income. For example, if one parent had $1,500 in net income per month and the other parent had $500 per month for a total of $2,000 the first parent would be responsible for 75 percent of child support and the second parent would be responsible for 25 percent.
Other Contributing Factors
There are also other contributing factors that may impact the amount and distribution of child support between parents. For example, if a parent covers the healthcare insurance for the child it could impact how much they contribute to child support. The physical custody arrangement can also have an impact if the child spends more time living with one parent than the other, as the parent with the majority of physical custody is likely to cover a greater share of the child’s expenses. The court also has discretion to adjust the child support award if it is in the child’s best interests or if the combined net income of the parents exceeds the amounts provided for in the state’s guidelines. To learn more about how child support may be calculated in your case, talk to our office today.
Call or Contact Our Office
Child support is a critically important aspect of your Florida divorce, and at Bubley & Bubley, P.A. our experienced divorce attorneys can help ensure that your child gets exactly what they need from each parent. To learn more, call or contact our office today.
