Calculating Child Support – Beyond The Basics
Transcript
Calculating child support in Florida probably isn’t done the way you think it is. Today, I’m going to explain how child support is calculated in a Florida divorce or paternity case.
Hi, everyone! I’m A.J. Grossman, CEO and managing attorney with Leap Frog Divorce. My entire legal career has been dedicated to helping people navigate divorce and paternity cases. At Leap Frog Divorce, we do divorce better.
Let’s get started!
What Income Counts Toward Child Support?
Believe it or not, income used to calculate child support includes much more than just your paycheck. Florida’s child support guidelines consider a range of potential income sources, depending on the circumstances.
These may include:
- Interest and dividend income
- Bonuses, commissions, and allowances
- Overtime pay and tips
- Gifts
- Business income and retained earnings
- Disability benefits and workers’ compensation benefits
- Legal settlements
- Unemployment benefits
- Pension, retirement, and annuity payments
- Social Security benefits
- Spousal support from a previous marriage or ordered in your current divorce case
- Rental income and royalties
- Trust income
- Reimbursed expenses
That’s a long list! The types of income included and how they’re treated depend on the applicable Florida law and the details of your situation.
Examples of Child Support Amounts
Let’s look at a few examples from 2022 to illustrate how child support amounts can vary based on family income and the number of children.
- Two children and a combined monthly family income of $10,000: Approximately $2,228 in total monthly child support.
- Four children and a combined monthly family income of $10,000: Approximately $3,148 in total monthly child support.
- Four children and a combined monthly family income of $5,000: Approximately $2,188 in total monthly child support.
These are historical examples from 2022, not current estimates or guaranteed support amounts. Actual child support calculations depend on the applicable guidelines and the specific facts of each case.
What Else Affects Child Support Calculations?
There are several considerations when determining child support in Florida, and the calculation can become complex depending on your circumstances.
In addition to both parents’ incomes and the number of children, factors such as parenting time, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other allowable expenses may affect the final amount.
Because every family is different, it’s important to understand how the Florida child support guidelines apply to your particular situation.
Conclusion: Get Help Understanding Florida Child Support
There’s a lot to consider when calculating child support, and we can’t cover every possible situation in one video.
If you have questions about child support in a Florida divorce or paternity case, I encourage you to reach out. I’d be happy to help you better understand your options.
That’s it for now. Have a wonderful day!
