Addressing Child Support In Florida

It is important to remember that child support is the right of the child. Technically, support payments are made to the other parent, but they are set up to give the child the financial support they need to cover necessary costs. On one hand, it is very important for children to receive the support they need and deserve. On the other hand, those payments must be realistic and affordable for the parent.

Here at Russell G. Marlowe, PA, I represent clients on both sides of this issue. I am attorney Russell G. Marlowe, and I have more than 37 years of valuable experience in family law. If you are looking for a knowledgeable and dependable child support lawyer in Florida, call today for a consultation.

How Child Support Is Calculated In Florida

Child support calculations are unique to every case and based on a variety of factors, starting with the income levels of both parents. Custody arrangements may also play a role such as if one parent has primary custody and the other is ordered to pay child support. The court will consider the child’s specific needs and necessary costs – housing, food, transportation, education, etc. – and the family’s expected standard of living.

Types Of Child Support

Child support can be temporary, as it may be needed during the divorce process. It can also be ordered on a short-term or long-term basis but typically terminates when the child becomes an adult.

Some conditions can lead to the modification of a child support order. If the payer’s income drops substantially, for example, they may request a modification to have the payments lowered. Other issues include changes in the child’s needs, the remarriage of the parties and other family dynamics – such as a parent who is paying support having more children in a new relationship.

Enforcing Child Support

When a parent doesn’t pay child support on time, the court can enforce the order in a variety of ways. They may threaten to alter the child custody arrangement, for example. They may also be able to garnish that parent’s wages to take the back payments directly from their paychecks.

Setting Up A Consultation

All of these child support issues can be very complex for both the payer and the receiver, and the child’s best interests should always come first. To get started with a consultation, just use the online contact form or dial 727-490-8877 now.