When the court orders child support, you must continue paying child support until the court order no longer applies. Failing to do so could subject you to enforcement action. You could be found in contempt of court and be incarcerated, required to pay your ex’s attorney fees and court costs, or subject to other consequences.
An experienced child support lawyer can review your court order and discuss your situation during a confidential consultation to explain when you may be able to stop paying child support. Some of the general reasons you could stop paying child support in Florida include:
You Have Reached the End Date
Child support in Florida generally ends once the child reaches the age of 18. However, child support can continue past their 18th birthday under Florida law if the court finds that the child is still in high school and is performing in good faith with a reasonable expectation of graduation before they reach the age of 19. In that case, child support may continue until graduation or their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first.
Other situations may extend child support past the child’s 18th birthday. For example, the parents could agree to continued support, and this agreement could be incorporated into the court’s order. Child support could continue if the child has special needs.
Florida child support orders may have a termination date, in which case, child support should stop automatically at that date. A parent can simply stop making payments once they reach that date and don’t owe arrears without having to go back to court to seek an order to terminate support.
However, many parents pay child support through the State Disbursement Unit of the Florida Department of Revenue through an income withholding order, which automatically deducts support from their paychecks and pays the amount to the child’s other parent. If this is your situation, you will likely need a child support attorney who can request an order to terminate the disbursement unit account.
Your Child Dies or Is Emancipated
Florida law also provides for the possibility of ending support earlier than your child’s 18th birthday, such as if they:
- Die
- Marry
- Become emancipated
- Join the armed forces
However, even in these situations, you must report the change to the court and continue making payments until the court informs you your obligation is complete.
The Court Instructs You Not To Pay
Because child support is a court order, you must continue paying child support unless and until the court has instructed you not to. The court has continuing jurisdiction over your case.
You Have Modified the Child Support Order
Before you can stop paying child support, you must seek to terminate or modify the child support order and receive a court order that changes your obligation. This is true even if you get married to the other parent or start living with them.
You might want to modify the child support order for various reasons, including:
- You suffered a serious illness or disability that affects your livelihood.
- You changed jobs or careers.
- You went back to school.
- The child custody arrangement has changed.
- You are spending more overnights with your child.
- You retired.
An experienced child support lawyer can guide you through modifying an existing order and ensuring you continue complying with it.
Contact the Orlando Child Support Law Firm of Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, for Help Today
Stopping child support payments without a court order can result in serious legal consequences, including enforcement actions and financial penalties. Whether you need to modify an existing order or formally end payments, legal guidance is essential to avoid unnecessary complications.
For more information, contact our experienced Orlando divorce lawyers at Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, by calling (407) 831-0203 to schedule a free consultation.
We serve all through Orange County and its surrounding areas. Visit our office at:
Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC
815 N Magnolia Ave Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 831-0203