Every parent in the United States is financially responsible for their children, whether married, never married, separated, or divorced. Unfortunately, reaching an agreement with an ex-spouse or partner about custody and child support can often be highly contentious and emotionally charged.
Understanding the state family laws and your parental rights is crucial. Call a compassionate and skilled Coral Gables child support lawyer today to schedule an appointment to review your case.
Both parents are responsible for supporting their children financially. The parent with primary custody usually collects the payments from the non-custodial parent. However, all families have unique circumstances, and the court will review the specifics before issuing their final order.
According to Florida Statute § 61.13, the courts may consider things such as both parents spending equal time with the children and neither having primary custody or if one parent has a substantially higher income. Once the family court judge issues the order, the person responsible for paying support must make payments until a significant change occurs and they seek reconsideration and modification, such as a change in living situation or the children reach 18 or 19.
If payments are due for arrearages, the payor must continue making monthly payments until they pay the balance in full. A knowledgeable Coral Gables child support attorney could answer your questions about state regulations and help estimate the potential amounts.
The state uses a standard child support calculator to determine the appropriate payment amounts and considers information including:
You can use the Florida Child Support Guidelines Worksheet to estimate the amount of support. This worksheet is available online and through the Florida Department of Revenue. It is also worth noting that while there are standard guidelines, the family court judge has the authority to deviate from the estimated amount if they determine that it would be in the children’s best interest. Possible reasons include kids with special needs or a significant disparity in the income of both parents.
When a parent ordered to pay child support fails to comply with the order, the state laws take enforcement seriously, and possible actions include:
The federal and state governments may also intercept federal tax refunds or other payments, such as stimulus checks, to collect overdue child support payments. A child support lawyer in Coral Gables has extensive experience with family court and regulations and could help you through the process.
Family law issues can feel stressful and overwhelming, and protecting your legal rights is vital. While the courts aim for co-parents to work together and agree without intervention, that is not always possible.
A qualified Coral Gables child support lawyer could advocate on your behalf inside and outside the courts and help you reach a fair resolution quickly by addressing issues to prevent conflict and handling communication and legal work. If you need help pursuing, calculating potential payments, or seeking a modification for child support, call today to schedule a consultation to get started.
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