Florida Child Support Calculator

• Factors that determine child support in Florida
• How to calculate estimated child support
• Can you modify child support payments in Florida?
• References

How much you are likely to owe (or pay) in child support isn’t always intuitive, but the process is explained fairly thoroughly in Florida's statutes. Broadly, the amount owed will be determined by the combined net income of a child’s parents. Child support is equal to a certain percentage of that net income. 

That said, many different factors can cause a court-ordered amount of child support to differ from that basic calculation.

Factors that determine child support in Florida

Florida law sets the factors that judges use to determine child support. The goal is to have a parent pay to support their kids if the partners separate. 

Florida judges have some leeway when determining how much child support will be paid. Specifically, the law allows for a variation from the guidelines of up to 5% for any reason. Even more variation may be allowed with a written argument about why the amount would be “unjust or inappropriate.”

Number of eligible children

A factor that significantly impacts how much a parent might pay in child support is the number of eligible children.

Child support payment guidelines don’t rise proportionally. In other words, the support required for one eligible child isn’t half the support required for two eligible children. But each eligible child does add to the recommended minimum child support.

Gross income

One of the first factors considered in Florida law is the parents’ gross incomes. Gross income includes, but isn’t limited to, the following:

• Salary and wages
• Bonuses, commissions, and similar sources of “extra” pay
• Most business income
• Disability benefits
• Workers’ compensation
• Social Security benefits
• Spousal support from previous marriages 
• Interest and dividends
• Rental income
• Reimbursed expenses and similar payments intended to reduce living expenses

Note that this income isn’t looked at in isolation. Eventually, it will be used to help determine the combined net income of a child’s parents.

Taxes and other deductions

With gross income calculated, net income can then be calculated by subtracting the appropriate deductions, perhaps most notably the relevant taxes. 

Also considered are similar monthly deductibles, such as the wages withheld to pay for health insurance.

Parenting timeshare

According to the Florida Department of Revenue, child support payments are typically reduced if a child is expected to spend “20% or more of [their] overnights with the parent who is ordered to pay.” This is one of the more common ways that child support payment requirements might deviate from the norm. 

How to calculate estimated child support in Florida

Accurately anticipating how much one is likely to pay in child support isn’t always easy, even though you can perform calculations on your own. That’s because a judge has leeway when deciding how much child support to order. 

Follow these steps to get an estimate of your likely child support amount:

1. Calculate each parent's monthly net income

First, determine each parent’s monthly net income. Depending on where you are in the child support process, you may need to estimate the other person’s net income. The final true calculation will use their true net income (assuming the procedure is followed) regardless of your estimate.

2. Determine monthly combined income

With each parent’s net income, combine the totals. Then, consult the chart provided in the 2023 Florida Statutes to determine the minimal child support requirement based on how many eligible children there are. 

3. Calculate percentages of financial responsibility

With the child support need calculated, each parent’s percentage share of that need must be determined. This is calculated by dividing each parent’s net monthly income by the combined net monthly income. 

4. Determine estimated monthly obligation

At this stage, you will have a rough idea of what you can expect to be financially responsible for regarding child support. However, certain factors could alter the actual obligation. 

For example, if a child has certain extraordinary expenses or either parent sees significant seasonal variation in their income or expenses, the amount can be adjusted. 

5. Calculate each parent's obligation

Depending on a child or children’s circumstances and the circumstances of the parents, the actual calculation for each parent’s obligation can vary significantly. Childcare costs need to be added to the basic “standard” obligation. These additional costs are divided in a way similar to basic minimum child support. 

6. Adjust monthly obligations for time-sharing

Time-sharing may cause an adjustment to a parent’s obligation. If a parent exercises time-sharing at least 20% of the overnights of the year, they are considered to spend a “substantial amount of time” with a child. The math for such adjustments is relatively complex, so it’s wise to reference Florida law regarding how it is calculated. This can be found in Chapter 61, Section 30 of the 2023 Florida Statutes.

7. Determine the monthly estimated payment amount

With all the above done, you can estimate the amount of child support you’d be expected to pay. Keep in mind that, even if you perform all calculations correctly, this is only an estimate. A judge may decide to factor in details you didn’t expect, or they may otherwise deviate from the guidelines. 

Can you modify child support payments in Florida?

It is possible to modify your child support payment obligation in some cases. Usually, this is possible if you can show that there has been a large change in your life (such as losing a job) or if a support order won’t end within the next six months and you haven’t had it changed or reviewed in the last three years.

Either parent can petition the circuit court for a support order modification. The Florida Department of Revenue discusses this topic in more detail here, and this is also a topic we’ve discussed in more detail as well.

References