815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
815 Orienta Ave. Suite 1030 Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Going through a separation is heavy enough without the added confusion of financial calculations. If you live near Cranes Roost Park or over by the Wekiva River, you know that raising a family in Seminole County comes with real costs. Whether it’s groceries, school supplies, or just keeping the lights on, parents naturally worry about how they will make ends meet once households are divided.
Many parents assume calculating support is a guessing game, but Florida law is actually quite specific. As a family law practice in Altamonte Springs Florida, we sit down with parents every day who just want to know that their children will be taken care of. While every family is different, the core laws remain the same. Finding a qualified divorce attorney is the first step in clarifying your financial future, but understanding the basics now can help lower your stress levels immediately.
Here are the five most common questions Seminole County parents ask us about child support.
Florida uses an "Income Shares Model," which bases the amount on the combined net income of both parents and the number of children involved. This model operates on the philosophy that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received if the parents lived together.
To determine the number, the court looks at net income—what you actually take home after taxes—not just your gross salary. They also factor in mandatory costs like health insurance premiums for the children and daycare expenses. For example, if you pay $200 a week for after-school care in Lake Mary, that cost is factored into the calculation.
It matters because this math prevents one parent from bearing the entire financial burden. The state has a specific guidelines chart that sets the base amount. However, the final number can shift based on how many nights the child spends with each parent.
Child support is intended to cover the child's basic necessities: food, clothing, and shelter.
Many parents mistakenly believe that this check covers everything, including extracurriculars or private school tuition. Generally, it does not. Expenses like braces, travel sports teams, or college tuition are usually handled separately from the base monthly payment.
This distinction matters because making assumptions about what is covered often leads to conflict later. If your child attends a specialized program at a local school or plays sports at the Seminole County Sports Complex, you and your co-parent need to discuss how those fees will be split. Usually, uninsured medical expenses and educational costs are divided based on the percentage of total income each parent earns.
Yes, but only if there has been a substantial, permanent, and involuntary change in circumstances.
Life happens. You might lose a job, get a significant promotion, or your child's needs might change as they get older. Under Florida Statute 61.30, the difference between the existing monthly amount and the new proposed amount must be at least 15% or $50, whichever is greater, to qualify for a modification. You can read the specific statutes regarding modification here to see how strict the guidelines are.
This rule exists to stop parents from dragging each other back to court over minor income fluctuations. If you and your co-parent are on good terms, you might be able to handle these changes amicably using collaborative law. This process allows you to work with a team of professionals to reach a fair agreement without a judge deciding for you. If you’re looking for a family law practice in Altamonte Springs Florida to help with a modification, checking the math before filing is essential.
The consequences for failing to pay court-ordered support in Florida are severe and can include driver’s license suspension, seizure of tax refunds, and even jail time.
The Florida Department of Revenue takes non-payment very seriously. They can issue an Income Deduction Order, which garnishes wages directly from a paycheck before the parent even sees the money. This ensures the child’s needs are met first.
This matters because falling behind creates a debt that does not go away, even if you file for bankruptcy. If you’re the parent paying support and you lose your job, you can't simply stop paying. You must file for a modification immediately. Until a judge signs a new order, you’re responsible for the original amount, and that debt will accrue interest.
The number of overnights a child spends with each parent has a massive impact on the final child support figure.
In Florida, "substantial time-sharing" is defined as a parent having the child for at least 20% of the overnights in a year. That equates to 73 overnights. Once a parent crosses that threshold, the child support calculation changes to a "gross-up" method. Essentially, the more nights the paying parent has the child, the lower their payment generally becomes, as they are directly providing food and shelter during those times.
This is why the parenting schedule is so critical. A schedule where one parent has the kids every weekend versus every other weekend can change the financial outcome by hundreds of dollars a month. Whether you’re driving your kids between houses in Longwood or handling drop-offs in Winter Springs, keeping an accurate log of where the children sleep is vital for fair calculations.
Figuring out finances during a divorce is never easy, but you don't have to crunch the numbers alone. Whether you’re trying to establish a fair payment or need to modify an old order, having a local team on your side makes all the difference. As an established family law practice in Altamonte Springs Florida, we know the local courts and the guidelines inside and out.
If you have questions about your specific situation, contact Frank Family Law Practice today at (407) 629-2208. Let us handle the legal math so you can focus on being a parent.