Florida Child Support Calculator

How Florida Calculates Child Support

Florida believes your children should receive the same portion of parental income as if you were still together. The court combines both your net incomes, finds a total support amount from a state table, and then assigns you a percentage of that total based on your share of the income.

Understanding Florida's Shared Custody Rules

In Florida, the standard child support calculation changes if each parent has the children for at least 73 overnights per year (20% of the time). When this 'substantial shared parenting' threshold is met, the court uses a different formula that increases the total support obligation and then adjusts it based on the exact percentage of nights each of you spends with the children.

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Florida Child Support FAQs


At what age does child support end in FL?

Child support in Florida typically ends when a child turns 18. However, if the child is still in high school and has a reasonable expectation of graduating, support can continue until they graduate or turn 19, whichever comes first.



How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in FL?

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, a Florida court can 'impute' income. This means the calculation is based on their potential earning capacity, considering work history, skills, and local job opportunities, not their actual low or zero income.



How do I modify a child support order in FL?

To modify a child support order in Florida, you must prove a 'substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances.' The new calculation must result in an order that is at least 15% or $50 different (whichever is greater) from the current order.



Does FL child support cover college expenses?

No, Florida law does not require parents to pay for a child's college expenses after they reach the age of majority. Parents are only obligated to cover college costs if they have a separate, legally binding written agreement to do so.



How does FL handle health insurance and childcare costs?

Health insurance premiums and necessary work-related childcare costs are added on top of the basic child support amount. These expenses are then divided between the parents in proportion to their respective shares of their combined net income.