Child Support
Child support ensures that both parents continue to contribute financially to their children’s upbringing after a divorce or separation, covering essentials like housing, food, healthcare, and education.
At Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite, our family law attorneys help parents calculate, establish, and enforce child support obligations that are fair and comply with Florida law. We represent both paying and receiving parents in straightforward and contested support matters.
What this service includes
- Initial child support determinations
- Income and expense calculations under Florida’s guidelines
- Support for self-employed or high-income parents
- Child support modifications due to changed circumstances
- Enforcement of unpaid or delinquent support
- Wage garnishment and other collection actions
- Health insurance and uninsured medical expense allocations
- Extracurricular and educational expense agreements
- Mediation and negotiated support agreements
- Litigation and courtroom representation when disputes cannot be resolved
Our process
- Case analysis: Review both parents’ income, expenses, and time-sharing arrangement to assess the case specifics.
- Legal filings: The child support process begins with a petition to establish or modify support, filed with the court, using Florida’s Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.
- Negotiation and mediation: Many support matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation, allowing parents to reach an agreement without prolonged court involvement.
- Litigation and trial: If parents cannot agree on the support amount or terms, the case may proceed to litigation, where a judge determines the obligation based on statutory guidelines.
- Final documentation: Finalize and provide clients with all necessary legal documents confirming the child support order.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a child support case take?
Timelines vary depending on whether parents agree on income figures and terms. An uncontested support determination can sometimes be finalized within weeks, while contested cases may take several months or longer.
How is child support calculated in Florida?
Florida uses an income shares model, factoring in both parents’ net income, the number of overnights each parent has with the children, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses.
Can child support be changed later?
Yes. Either parent can request a modification if there has been a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances, such as a significant income change.
Will I have to go to court?
Not necessarily. Many support matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation. If parents cannot agree on key issues, litigation may be required.
What happens if my former spouse doesn’t pay child support?
Florida provides several enforcement tools, including wage garnishment, contempt proceedings, license suspension, and interception of tax refunds.