retroactive child support reduction

[Godsgirl001]

Since guardians can file retroactive for child support, is the paying parent also given the opportunity to file retroactive for reduction? If so, how far back?

[Attorney Cheri Hobbs]

The Florida Department of Revenue will not give a parent a retroactive reduction in child support beyond the date of filing the Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support. An exception is if/when the other parent will agree to the reduction retroactively and sign a joint stipulation. Or the parties can agree to give a "credit" for child support. That is why it is imperative to file a modification as soon as there is a substantial change in circumstance (loss of job, decrease in salary, change in time sharing) in order for the court to go back to that date of filing.