Child Support Enforcement in Florida - The Long Arm of the Law

   There are some general policies in Florida that judges, courts, and other government agencies follow:

•     Parents owe a duty of support to their children
•     Patents cannot mutually agree to pay zero support
•     There will be severe sanctions for the person refusing to pay support
•     The parent paying child support has no way to control how that money is used.

   Support is normally ordered from the non-custodial parent (Secondary Residential Parent) to the custodial parent (Primary Residential Parent).  In the rare case where there is Rotating Custody, no child support will be ordered.  But Rotating Custody is never ordered where the parties have any type of disagreement over the child.

   The amount of support due is determined from Child Support Guidelines, published by the state of Florida.  While these guidelines are normally black and white, there is some wiggle room.  The wiggle room comes into play if one spouse has special circumstances, such as a severe disability, unusual expenses, or the children have special needs.

The Bottom Line:  If you have a child, be prepared to support that child.  Each parent has powerful means at their disposal to force the other parent to pay support.  If you are the parent receiving support: don't condition visitation on the payment of support.  That can backfire on you (read our child custody section.)

Child Support Lawyer

   Child Support is an important issue whether you pay or receive support.  The Divorce Center can provide a child support attorney that can help you protect yourself.  A lawyer is not an expense in a child support case - they are an investment. We help clients in Hernando County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, and Hillsborough County. Our service area includes Tampa, Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey, Brooksville, Dade City, and the New Tampa area. CONTACT US NOW or call 888-469-3486