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Child Support

Florida child support: imputation of income to an underemployed parent

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Child Support

What type of income is credited to a parent in calculating Florida child support? The answer is, pretty much all income. As illustrated in the case Schafstall v. Clifford-Schafstall, 211 So.3d 1108 (Fla. 2017), payments made toward living expenses by a third party on behalf of a parent can be credited to a parent for purposes of calculating child support.

Properly pleading for modification of Florida child support may save time and money

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Child Support

A general rule followed in Florida family law cases is that you must put the other party on notice as to what relief you are seeking before that relief can be granted. Therefore, a Florida family court can only consider at trial those issues which were properly raised by the parties in their pleadings or those issues the parties agreed to try by consent.

Is Miami child support allowed past age 18?

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Child Support

Until what age can a parent be obligated to pay child support in Florida? Generally, once a child turns 18, a parent is no longer responsible for paying support, with some exceptions. In the case Garcia-Lawson v. Lawson, 211 So.3d 137 (Fla. 4th DCA 2017) we review a former wife's appeal of a final judgment denying her request for retroactive child support over three years after the parties' child turned 18. 

Retroactive modification of Florida child support

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Child Support

When child support is calculated based on the amount of overnights each parent spends with the child(ren), a change in the overnight schedule may result in modification of the child support payments.  This was examined in the appellate case Knight v. Knight, 208 So.3d 1278 (Fla. 1st DCA 2017) in which the court considered the father's challenge to a modification of his child support obligation, retroactive to the date he stopped exercising his court-ordered equal time-sharing. 

Asking for deviation from Miami child support guidelines

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Child Support

While Florida child support calculations are, in a way, "no nonsense" since they are based on a mathematical formula, there is still room for variation based on the particular financial circumstances of each party. Knowing how to ask the court for a deviation from the child support guidelines is the first step. 

What income is subject to Florida child support calculations?

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Child Support

The calculation of Florida child support involves examination of the incomes of both parents and the deductions allowable to each in arriving at their respective net incomes. What types of income are considered in calculating child support, along with deductions available to each parent, is a comprehensive list. 

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Florida child support modification: In what county should I file?

By Nydia Streets of Streets Law posted in Child Support on January 25, 2016

As our children get older, their financial needs may change along with the financial circumstances of their parents.  This is why Florida law allows for modification of a child support order when there has been a substantial change in circumstances that was not contemplated at the time child support was originally ordered.  If increasing or decreasing support is something you need to apply for, it is not necessary for you to file your case in the same Florida court where the child support was originally ordered.

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