Tampa Child Support Attorney: Trusted Legal Guidance In Florida
When two people have children together, Florida law makes clear that they are equally responsible for the costs of providing for those children – regardless of their relationship to one another. Unfortunately, child support can be a contentious issue following a divorce or custody dispute.
If you need legal assistance with a child support concern in northern Florida, the firm to contact for help is the Law Offices of J. Anthony Franco, PLLC. Mr. Franco’s Tampa-based practice is exclusively focused on family law and marital law, and he provides personalized service and knowledgeable representation to each client. Whether you will be receiving child support or expect to be asked to pay it, attorney Franco will work to secure a support order that meets the needs of the children while being fair and sustainable for both parents.
Calculating Child Support In Florida
In Florida, the parent with the larger share of child custody (based on overnight stays) is considered the custodial parent and will typically be receiving child support payments from the other (the non-custodial) parent. If the custody arrangement is equal and both parents have substantially similar incomes, no support may be ordered. However, this is the exception and not the rule.
Each parent’s net income is a major consideration in calculating child support. This is because Florida relies on the “income shares” model to determine how much support is needed and what each parent’s share will be. The court begins by estimating how much the parents would have spent on the children had they been living together in the same household. The estimated amount is then divided between the two parents based on each of their incomes as well as their allotment of custody.
How Is Parental Income Determined?
For purposes of child support, parental “income” is not limited to employment income of wages, salary, tips, bonuses and commissions. It also includes income from numerous other sources, such as benefit payments (unemployment, disability, Social Security, pensions, annuities), income from rental properties, alimony, business income and payments from trust funds.
Income is also adjusted based on allowable deductions for expenses like state and federal income taxes, health insurance and day care costs for minor children, and the costs of paying child support for any children from a previous marriage or relationship.
If the parent who owes child support is deliberately unemployed or underemployed, courts may consider their “imputed income” (income earning potential) when calculating support obligations.
Why It’s Important To Work With An Experienced Family Law Attorney
Child support is largely based on a formula. The court can deviate from this formula if there are compelling reasons to do so. Therefore, it is important that the information is correct and that it is placed in the appropriate context.
As your Tampa child support attorney, Mr. Franco will work to ensure that the court receives accurate and complete information about the financial means of both parents, the needs of the children and any circumstances that would warrant a deviation. His goal is to ensure that your children have the resources they need and that your rights and financial interests are protected. He can also help you seek a modification to a child support order as financial circumstances and needs change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Child Support
In Florida, child support follows specific rules and requirements that can influence its duration and several additional matters.
At what age does child support stop or terminate in Florida?
Child support usually ends when the child reaches the age of 18 in Florida. The law sets this age as the standard termination point unless a statutory exception applies. Support may continue beyond 18 when a child still attends high school full-time and is expected to graduate before turning 19.
A court may also extend child support obligations when the child has a qualifying disability that begins before adulthood, resulting in their ongoing dependence upon their parents. Exceptions to child support termination require clear evidence, however, because the court must confirm that continued support aligns with state law.
How are child support payments actually collected and tracked in Hillsborough County?
Most payments are collected through an Income Deduction Order. This order directs an employer to withdraw the child support amount from the paying parent’s wages and send it to the Florida State Disbursement Unit. The SDU maintains an official record of every payment to prevent disputes about what was paid and when.
Self‑employed parents must submit payments directly to the SDU by approved methods because informal transfers create major proof problems. A parent who relies on cash or unverified payments risks being unable to show compliance if a disagreement arises. The SDU ledger serves as the controlling record in enforcement or modification proceedings.
Does standard child support cover extra expenses like health insurance, daycare and sports?
No, standard child support does not include all of the additional expenses associated with raising a child. The basic calculation covers the child’s essential needs, such as food, clothing and housing. Courts then add required costs for health insurance premiums and necessary childcare, dividing them based on each parent’s share of income. These added expenses appear in the final order, so both parents understand their obligations.
Optional activities like competitive sports, tutoring or camps are not automatically included in the guideline amount. Parents must negotiate these costs or ask the court to assign responsibility if they disagree. Judges evaluate the child’s needs, the parents’ finances and the reasonableness of the requested expense before deciding how to divide optional costs.
Discuss Your Needs During An Initial Consultation
Based in Tampa, the Law Offices of J. Anthony Franco, PLLC, serves clients throughout northern Florida. Contact the firm today to experience the benefits of customized, caring legal representation. To schedule an initial consultation, just call 813-608-4024 or submit an online contact form.