Florida Child Support Calculator 2025

Florida uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Courts combine both parents' net monthly incomes. They look at guideline tables in Florida Statute 61.30. The total obligation gets divided based on each parent's income percentage. This method estimates what parents would spend if living together.

Florida child support calculators work for combined incomes above $650 per month. Courts may order lower amounts in special circumstances. The actual minimum depends on both parents' total income. Each case gets reviewed individually by family court judges.

Child support amounts vary based on combined parental income levels. For incomes over $10,000 monthly, courts add 5% of excess income for one child. The Income Shares Model determines the base amount. Courts may adjust for health insurance and daycare costs.

Courts can vary child support by plus or minus 5% from guidelines. Judges consider all relevant factors when making decisions. Deviations over 5% require special written findings. Examples include children with special medical needs or unusual expenses.

Combined monthly incomes over $10,000 have special calculation rules. Courts use the maximum guideline amount as the base. They add specific percentages for income above $10,000. One child gets 5% of the excess amount added.

New spouses' incomes normally don't count toward child support calculations. Only the biological parents' incomes matter for guidelines. Judges have flexibility in unusual situations. Step-parent income rarely affects support obligations directly.

Child support covers the child's basic living expenses and needs. This includes food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Educational costs and extracurricular activities are included. Parents don't need to report how they spend support money.

Mothers cannot simply cancel court-ordered child support on their own. Changes require filing motions with the family court. The same court that issued the original order must approve modifications. Child support belongs to the child, not the parent.

Parents can request child support through Florida family courts. The Florida Department of Revenue also handles child support cases. You need to file proper legal documents and paperwork. Court hearings determine the final support amount.

Child support typically ends when the child turns 18 years old. Support continues for high school students until age 19. The child must be making good academic progress. Support may extend for disabled adult children in special cases.

Courts can order temporary support during divorce proceedings. Parents file motions requesting immediate financial help for children. Temporary orders stay in effect until final divorce judgments. Emergency situations may qualify for expedited court hearings.