Updated October 2026. General information only; not legal advice.
When parents divorce or separate, child support is generally calculated under Florida’s statutory guidelines, not by a simple rule about which parent has the child most of the time. The calculation is specific to the parents’ income, the number of children, certain child-related expenses, and the applicable time-sharing arrangement. An attorney can help review whether a proposed worksheet reflects the facts of your case.
How do Florida’s child-support guidelines work?
Section 61.30, Florida Statutes, describes how each parent’s monthly gross and net income is determined, including categories of income and allowable deductions. The parents’ net monthly incomes are combined and applied to a guideline schedule. Each parent’s share of the combined income is used in calculating the obligation. This is more involved than simply taking one fixed percentage of a paycheck.
Income can include more than wages. Depending on the circumstances, commissions, business income, certain benefits, or other sources may matter. The statute also addresses when income may be imputed to a parent. Those questions depend on evidence and legal findings; neither parent should assume an unsupported income figure is correct.
Which expenses can affect the result?
Eligible child-care costs related to work, a job search, or education leading to employment may be included. Health-insurance costs for a child and certain uncovered medical, dental, or prescription expenses may also be part of the calculation or dealt with separately under an order. The rules address how amounts already paid by a parent are credited. The details matter, so keep records rather than relying on a rough estimate.
Does parenting time affect child support?
It can. The statute provides adjustments for certain time-sharing arrangements and permits consideration of the actual parenting plan and other relevant factors. A label such as “primary parent” or “secondary parent” does not, by itself, determine who pays or how much. Nor do overnights alone tell the whole story. If a time-sharing schedule in an order differs from what is actually happening, ask a Florida attorney how that may affect the calculation or an existing order.
What if circumstances change?
An existing support order does not change simply because one parent believes a different amount would be fair. Florida law provides routes for review or modification in qualifying circumstances; the evidence and procedural requirements depend on the case. Speak with counsel before assuming a new payment amount applies.
What should you bring to a consultation?
Organize recent income records, your parenting plan or court order if one exists, and documentation of child-care, insurance, and other relevant child-related costs. The Florida Courts family-law forms page lists current financial affidavit forms and a child-support guidelines worksheet. The proper forms and information depend on your situation; court staff cannot advise you which legal approach to take.
For a broader preparation checklist, see our Boca Raton family-law consultation guide. If you have a question about a proposed amount or an existing order, learn more about our child-support work in Boca Raton or contact the office. This page is general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship or promise a particular result.