child support and custody

[albrunson]

i have three kids which i pay child support to their mom. i have them on my insurance and i take good care of them. i have my children wednesday through sunday every week overnights. can i recieve joint custody and also pay lower child support?

[Attorney Cheri Hobbs]

From your post I am not sure whether you have a Final Judgment of Dissolution or Paternity. If you only have court ordered child support through the Department of Revenue then you can file an action for Paternity (I'm assuming you are not married to the mother?) or a Petition to Establish Time Sharing and Child Support. You can explain to the court the time sharing arrangement you have and get credit for the support you are providing (health insurance, etc.). If your support is not court ordered then you need to do this immediately. You might not get credit for the monies given to the mother as there is caselaw that states these monies, when not court ordered, are considered gifts. There is no longer "joint custody" in Florida. You can ask for Shared parenting.

Attorney Cheri Hobbs