How Is Child Support Determined in Tampa, Florida?
Child support is one of the most important financial issues parents face during a divorce or paternity case. Whether you expect to receive child support or believe you may be required to pay it, understanding how Florida calculates child support can help you make informed decisions about your future.
In Tampa and Hillsborough County, child support is determined using Florida’s Child Support Guidelines. While the guidelines provide a formula, the final calculation depends on several factors unique to each family.
In this article, Gary Dolgin, a Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law with more than 35 years of experience, explains how child support is determined in Florida and how courts in Hillsborough County evaluate child support cases.
What Is Child Support Under Florida Law?
Child support is a court-ordered financial obligation intended to help provide for a child’s needs after parents divorce, separate, or establish paternity.
Florida law recognizes that both parents share a financial responsibility for supporting their children. The purpose of child support is to ensure that children continue to receive appropriate financial support from both parents, regardless of the parents’ living arrangements.
Child support is generally calculated under Florida’s Child Support Guidelines, which take several factors into account when determining the amount owed.
The Two Important Factors in Every Florida Child Support Case
Before calculating child support, courts must determine key financial and parenting information for both parents.
1. What Is Each Parent’s Net Monthly Income?
The court examines the income of both parents, which may include:
- Salary and wages
- Bonuses and commissions
- Self-employment income
- Rental income
- Retirement benefits
- Disability benefits
- Other qualifying income sources
Accurately calculating income is critical because child support calculations are heavily influenced by each parent’s financial circumstances.
2. How Much Time Does Each Parent Spend With the Child?
Florida child support calculations also consider the number of overnight visits each parent has with the child.
The parenting schedule established in a Parenting Plan can significantly affect child support calculations.
In many cases, the amount of time each parent spends with the child can have a substantial impact on the final support obligation.
Factors Florida Courts Use to Calculate Child Support
After determining income and time-sharing arrangements, courts use Florida’s Child Support Guidelines to calculate support.
Factors commonly considered include:
- Each parent’s net monthly income
- Number of children involved
- Number of overnights each parent has
- Health insurance costs for the child
- Daycare and childcare expenses
- Certain medical expenses
- Other child-related costs permitted under Florida law
Because every family situation is different, support calculations can vary considerably from one case to another.
Why Time-Sharing Can Affect Child Support
Many parents are surprised to learn that child support is closely connected to their parenting schedule.
Florida law recognizes that parents who spend substantial time with their children often incur direct expenses while caring for them.
As a result, courts consider the number of overnight visits when calculating child support.
Changes to a Parenting Plan can sometimes result in modifications to child support obligations.
Additional Expenses That May Impact Child Support
Several expenses may affect the final child support calculation, including:
- Health Insurance. The cost of health insurance coverage for the child is generally included in the support calculation.
- Daycare and Childcare Costs. Work-related childcare expenses are often shared between the parents based upon their respective incomes.
- Uncovered Medical Expenses. Certain healthcare expenses not covered by insurance may also be allocated between the parents.
Because these expenses vary from family to family, they can significantly influence the final child support amount.
Florida Child Support FAQs
Question: How is child support determined in Florida?
Answer: Florida child support is determined using statutory Child Support Guidelines. Courts consider each parent’s net monthly income, the number of overnight visits each parent has with the child, health insurance costs, daycare expenses, and other approved child-related expenses.
Question: Does equal time-sharing eliminate child support?
Answer: No. Even when parents share time equally, child support may still be owed if one parent earns substantially more income than the other. Both income and parenting time are considered in the calculation.
Question: What income is included when calculating child support?
Answer: Courts may consider wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, retirement benefits, disability income, rental income, and other qualifying income sources.
Question: Can child support be modified in Florida?
Answer: Yes. Child support may be modified when there has been a substantial, material, and permanent change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income or parenting time.
Question: Do daycare expenses affect child support?
Answer: Yes. Work-related daycare and childcare expenses are generally included in Florida child support calculations.
Question: What happens if a parent does not pay child support?
Answer: Failure to pay child support may result in wage garnishment, driver’s license suspension, contempt proceedings, and other enforcement actions.
Why Board Certification Matters in Child Support Cases
Child support disputes can have significant financial consequences for both parents and children.
Board Certification in Marital and Family Law represents the highest level of expertise recognized by The Florida Bar.
With more than 35 years of experience, Gary Dolgin brings extensive knowledge of Florida child support laws, parenting plans, time-sharing issues, and family court procedures.
At The Law Offices of Gary Dolgin, child support matters are handled with precision, professionalism, and care because we understand how important these decisions are for both parents and children.
If you have questions about child support in Tampa or Hillsborough County, it is important to obtain experienced legal guidance as early as possible.
The Law Offices of Gary Dolgin proudly serve clients throughout Tampa and Hillsborough County, providing skilled representation in child support, divorce, custody, and family law matters.
To schedule a child support consultation with Gary S. Dolgin, Attorney At Law, call (813) 999-2772 and it will be our pleasure to help you.
To see what past clients have to say about working with Gary Dolgin and to learn more about Florida family law, visit:
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