In all cases involving underage children, parenting time and child support are addressed by the courts. When the parties can agree, the lawyers reduce the agreements to writing and file them with the court. When parties can’t agree, the court decides these critical issues. While child support is fairly predictable under Florida law, parenting time, or timesharing, can vary, depending on the judge. Consequently, it is a good idea for parents to come to agreement about timesharing when possible. At the Law Offices of Aliette H. Carolan, P.A., we are cognizant of the pitfalls of a poorly thought out timesharing plan. Below are some considerations when divorcing withchildren ages 0 – 3.
Category: Child Support
What Happens if a Parent in Florida Fails to Pay Child Support?
If you are ordered to pay child support in the state of Florida, it is a good idea to take this obligation seriously. It is imperative that both parents take an active role in supporting their child or children, but the court order that makes child support necessary will also carry serious consequences if you don’t comply.
Being aware of some of the penalties that you may face if you fail to pay child support in Florida can help you understand why it is so important that you do so. Keep in mind, if you are facing issues with child support, you should reach out to a family law attorney Miami for help.
How Courts Calculate Child Support
In Florida, the state believes each parent has a fundamental obligation to support their minor children. Consequently, the child support guidelines are based on the parents’ combined net income, just as if the parents and child were still living in the same home. The state has child support guidelines that are presumed to be the right fit for families. However, the court may deviate from the guidelines by as much as 5 percent, taking into consideration the following:
- the needs of the child;
- their station in life;
- the age of the children;
- their standard of living; and
- the financial status and ability of each parent.
Courts consider a series of factors defined by Florida Law. Courts also consider the amount of time the child spends with each parent.