Child support can become one of the most important issues parents face after a separation or divorce in Pine Hills, Florida. Both parents want their children to have what they need. But disagreements can quickly develop over income, parenting time, health insurance, childcare costs, or what one parent should actually be paying each month.
A Pine Hills child support lawyer can help you understand what Florida law requires. A skilled lawyer can help you work toward a support arrangement based on accurate financial information. If you are facing a child support dispute, don’t take on the legal challenge alone. Contact Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC at (407) 831-0203 for a free consultation to discuss your options today.
Why Choose Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC for Your Child Support Case in Pine Hills, FL?
Child support decisions can affect your finances for years. They also directly affect your child’s well-being.
Having an experienced family law attorney can help you understand how Florida’s guidelines apply to your circumstances. It can also help you determine whether the financial information being used is complete and accurate.
Parents choose our Pine Hills family law lawyers because we provide:
- More Than 50 Years of Experience. Our firm brings decades of family law and divorce experience to child support disputes.
- Individual Attention. No two families have exactly the same finances, parenting arrangements, or concerns.
- Careful Financial Analysis. Our firm will examine income, deductions, childcare expenses, insurance costs, and other information relevant to support.
- Experience with Complicated Cases. Self-employment, fluctuating income, disputed earnings, and changing parenting time can make support calculations more difficult.
- Clear Legal Guidance. Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC has helped many families understand complicated family law issues and move forward with greater confidence and clarity.
Whether you need to establish child support for the first time or resolve a dispute involving an existing order, we can help you understand your options under Florida law. Contact our Pine Hills divorce lawyers today for a free case review.
How Does Florida Calculate Child Support?
Florida does not allow courts to simply pick a child support amount that seems reasonable. The state uses statutory child support guidelines.
The calculation generally considers information such as:
- Each parent’s income
- Certain allowable deductions
- Number of children
- Childcare expenses
- Health insurance costs
- Certain healthcare expenses
- The parenting and time-sharing arrangement
- Other factors recognized by Florida law
The details matter. Using the wrong income figure or overlooking a significant expense can affect how much support a parent pays or receives every month.
What Counts as Income for Florida Child Support?
Income means more than a regular paycheck. Florida uses a broad definition when determining gross income for child support purposes.
Depending on the circumstances, income can include:
- Salary
- Wages
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Allowances
- Overtime
- Tips
- Business income
- Disability benefits
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- Pension
- Retirement payments
A skilled lawyer can review tax returns, pay records, bank information, and other available evidence to determine what income should properly be considered.
What If the Other Parent is Hiding Income?
Disputes over income are common in child support cases. They can become difficult when one parent is self-employed, owns a closely held business, or has control over how and when compensation is paid.
A tax return can be useful, but it does not always answer every question.
Business records, bank statements, credit applications, compensation records, and other financial documents may provide information about a parent’s actual financial circumstances.
Florida law can also allow income to be imputed in certain circumstances. This may apply in cases involving voluntary unemployment or underemployment.
Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC can investigate disputed income and present relevant financial information when determining child support.
Does Parenting Time Affect Child Support in Florida?
Yes. Parenting time can affect the calculation. Florida’s child support guidelines account for the parenting arrangement and the amount of time children spend with each parent. That does not mean parenting time should simply be viewed as a way to increase or decrease child support.
Florida courts address parenting plans and time-sharing based on the child’s best interests. The law identifies numerous factors courts can consider when determining an appropriate parenting arrangement.
Child support and parenting time are connected in some respects, but they serve different purposes.
An attorney can explain how your existing or proposed parenting schedule may affect your support calculation. This can be done without losing sight of the separate legal standards governing parental responsibility and time-sharing.
Can Florida Courts Deviate From Support Guidelines?
Yes. The guideline calculation is a starting point. Florida law recognizes that a formula cannot perfectly account for every family’s circumstances.
A court can vary the guideline amount by up to 5% after considering relevant factors. A larger deviation usually requires written findings explaining why the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate.
An attorney can evaluate whether circumstances exist that could justify asking the court to depart from the calculation.
Contact a Pine Hills Child Support Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation
Child support is about making sure parents meet their financial obligations to their children. But that does not mean every calculation is automatically correct. When issues arise, experienced legal guidance can help.
If your family is navigating a child support dispute, you don’t have to face the challenge alone. Contact Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC for a free consultation today with a Pine Hills child support attorney. We can help you understand the guidelines, evaluate your financial circumstances, and determine the appropriate next steps.