Are you struggling with a child support matter in Winter Haven, Florida? A dedicated Winter Haven child support lawyer from Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC can help. Call today at (407) 831-0203 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward resolving your case.
Child support cases can quickly become stressful, especially when financial pressure or parental disagreements arise. Whether you’re seeking to establish, modify, or enforce a child support order, our experienced legal team provides the knowledge, professionalism, and care you need to protect your child’s best interests.
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Why Choose Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC to Help With a Child Support Case in Winter Haven?
When you’re dealing with a child support issue in Winter Haven, FL, experience and reputation matter. At Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, our legal team brings over 50 years of combined experience to every case. We’ve built a respected track record across Florida for achieving strong results in complex family law matters, including child support, custody, and divorce cases.
Our attorneys are consistently recognized for excellence. Founding attorney Conti Moore has earned a perfect 10.0 Avvo Rating and has been named to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for six consecutive years, a distinction awarded to only a small percentage of attorneys nationwide. Forbes, Fox 35 Orlando, and WFTV Channel 9 have also featured the firm for its trusted legal insight and community leadership.
At Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, our success is rooted in skill, strategy, and compassion. We combine deep legal knowledge with a personalized approach to help Florida families navigate life’s toughest challenges with confidence and dignity.
Understanding Child Support in Florida
Florida law requires both parents to financially support their children, regardless of marital status. Child support ensures that both parents share the costs of raising their child, including food, housing, education, medical care, and other necessities.
When parents separate or divorce, the court typically issues a child support order as part of the final judgment. In Winter Haven and across Florida, the amount of support is determined by the state’s child support guidelines.
These laws aim to ensure children receive consistent support and that both parents contribute fairly based on their financial abilities.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Winter Haven, Florida?
Florida uses a specific formula to calculate child support. The calculation takes into account both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and several other financial factors.
The court considers:
- Each parent’s gross income (including wages, bonuses, and commissions)
- Health insurance and childcare costs
- The amount of time the child spends with each parent (timesharing)
- Any special medical, educational, or extracurricular expenses
The formula divides financial responsibility proportionally between the parents based on income. This ensures that both contribute fairly to their child’s needs.
If one parent earns significantly more or has less time-sharing, they may pay more in support. The goal is to maintain the child’s quality of life after separation or divorce.
What Does Child Support Cover?
Many parents wonder what child support payments are meant to cover. Florida law states that support should meet the child’s basic and reasonable needs. This includes everyday expenses and those unique to the child’s well-being.
Child support may cover:
- Housing, rent, or mortgage payments
- Groceries and meals
- Clothing and school uniforms
- Educational expenses and supplies
- Health insurance and uncovered medical costs
- Transportation, including gas or bus fare
- Extracurricular activities, sports, or summer camps
While every family’s situation is different, the goal is to ensure the child’s needs are met without either parent being unfairly burdened.
Establishing Child Support in Winter Haven
An official order must be established by the court before child support can be enforced. Either parent can initiate the process by filing a petition for support in Polk County family court.
If paternity hasn’t been legally established, the court may require a DNA test first. Once paternity is confirmed, the court will calculate support based on the state’s guidelines.
Parents may also reach a private agreement on support terms. However, for the agreement to be legally enforceable, it must be approved by the court. A lawyer reviewing or drafting the agreement helps ensure it complies with Florida law.
An experienced Winter Haven child support attorney can guide you through this process to avoid costly mistakes or delays.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the other parent has the right to seek enforcement through the courts. Florida takes child support enforcement seriously and provides multiple legal tools to collect unpaid support.
Common enforcement methods include:
- Wage garnishment (automatic deductions from the parent’s paycheck)
- Suspension of a driver’s, professional, or recreational licenses
- Seizure of tax refunds or bank accounts
- Property liens
- Contempt of court proceedings, which can include fines or jail time
Failure to pay support can have serious consequences. If you are owed unpaid support, Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC can help you pursue enforcement and recover the money your child deserves.
Modifying a Child Support Order
Life changes, and so can child support obligations. Florida law allows for modifications when there’s been a substantial, permanent, and unanticipated change in circumstances.
Examples include:
- A significant increase or decrease in income
- Loss of a job or change in employment
- Changes in health or medical expenses
- A change in the child’s living arrangements or needs
Either parent can request a modification, but the court will review financial records and determine whether an adjustment is appropriate.
Because modifications are not automatic, it’s essential to act quickly and file a petition as soon as your circumstances change.
Temporary Child Support
In some cases, child support may be ordered temporarily while a divorce or paternity case is still pending. Temporary orders ensure that children continue to receive support while the final details are being resolved.
Temporary child support is typically based on the same financial guidelines used for permanent orders. Once the final order is entered, the temporary order is replaced or adjusted as necessary.
Our attorneys can help you request temporary support to ensure your child’s needs are met during this transitional period.
Paternity and Child Support
In Florida, paternity must be legally established before child support can be ordered for unmarried parents.
There are a few ways to establish paternity under Florida law:
- Voluntary acknowledgment: Both parents can sign an acknowledgment of paternity form, usually at the hospital or later through the Florida Department of Health.
- Administrative order: The Department of Revenue may establish paternity through a DNA test without going to court.
- Court order: A judge can require genetic testing and issue a final ruling confirming paternity.
Once paternity is confirmed, the father gains both legal rights and financial responsibilities, including child support. Establishing paternity also ensures the child can access important benefits such as inheritance rights, health insurance, and Social Security.
Our firm assists both mothers seeking support and fathers who wish to confirm paternity and protect their parental rights.
Shared Parenting and Child Support
Florida law encourages shared parental responsibility, meaning both parents remain involved in their child’s life after divorce or separation. However, even when custody (timesharing) is shared, one parent may still owe child support based on income differences.
The state’s formula takes into account how much overnight time each parent spends with the child. If time is split evenly, but one parent earns significantly more, they may still contribute additional financial support.
Child support aims to balance both parents’ contributions so that the child’s standard of living remains stable in both households.
When Child Support Ends in Florida
In most cases, child support in Florida ends when the child turns 18. However, there are important exceptions where payments may continue.
Child support may extend when:
- The child is still in high school and expected to graduate before turning 19
- The child has a physical or mental disability that prevents them from becoming self-supporting
- Both parents agree to continue payments voluntarily, such as to help pay for college or other post-secondary education
These exceptions ensure that children receive necessary support until they can truly care for themselves. Our attorneys can review your situation and explain your rights and ongoing obligations under Florida law.
Retroactive Child Support
Florida law allows courts to award retroactive child support for a period before the support order was officially entered. This is often limited to two years before the filing date.
Retroactive support helps ensure the child’s needs were covered during the time the parent should have been contributing. The court considers the parent’s income during that period to determine the appropriate amount.
If you believe you’re entitled to back support—or being asked to pay it—our Winter Haven child support lawyers can help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
The Role of Mediation in Child Support Disputes
Florida family courts often encourage mediation before taking child support disputes to trial. Mediation allows both parents to discuss their concerns with the help of a neutral third party and try to reach a fair agreement.
Mediation can help parents avoid the stress and expense of litigation. It’s also faster and more private than a court trial. Our attorneys will represent your interests during mediation to ensure that any agreement reached is fair, lawful, and enforceable.
If mediation fails, we’re fully prepared to advocate for you in court.
How Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC Can Help
At Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, we understand that child support cases involve more than just numbers—they impact your child’s stability and your peace of mind. Our experienced family law attorneys handle every aspect of child support, from initial filing to enforcement and modification.
We help clients by:
- Reviewing financial documents to ensure accurate calculations
- Negotiating fair agreements between parents
- Representing clients during mediation or hearings
- Pursuing unpaid or overdue child support through enforcement actions
- Assisting with modifications due to changing life circumstances
Our firm takes pride in offering compassionate, results-driven representation for families throughout Winter Haven and Polk County.
Contact Our Winter Haven Child Support Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
Child support issues can be complex and emotional, but you don’t have to face them alone. The attorneys at Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC are ready to help you navigate every step of the process with confidence and care.
We understand Florida’s child support laws and the local court system in Winter Haven, and we’re committed to protecting your child’s best interests. Whether you need to establish, enforce, or modify a support order, our team is here to help.
Call Conti Moore Law Divorce Lawyers, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation with a Winter Haven child support attorney. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you take the next steps toward a fair resolution for your family.
