Parents Worksheet for Child Support Amount Child Support Order: The Parent Worksheet and the Child Support Order are designed to work together. The Parents Worksheet breaks down the assets and debts, along with the wages of the parents, in order to to determine the appropriate amount of child support to be paid. The second document, a Child Support Order, once signed by the judge, legally binds the parents to the child support amount requested in said order. This form is available in both Word and Rich Text formats.
Child support is a mandatory financial obligation that a noncustodial parent in Florida is required to pay to the custodial parent or guardian to assist with the upbringing and welfare of their child or children. The child support amount in Florida is determined by several factors and follows specific guidelines established by the state. The primary factor influencing the child support amount in Florida is the income of both parents. The court considers the income of the custodial parent as well as the noncustodial parent to calculate a fair and equitable amount. The income of both parents is inclusive of wages, bonuses, commissions, tips, self-employment earnings, and even potential income from investments or rental properties. If either parent is not currently employed, the court may impute an income based on their earning potential or past income. Apart from income, various other factors come into play when determining the child support amount in Florida. These factors include the number of children involved, healthcare expenses, childcare costs, educational expenses, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. The court also considers the child's age, special needs, and any extraordinary medical or educational needs. In Florida, there are different types of child support amounts depending on various circumstances: 1. Basic Child Support: This is the regular child support amount determined using the income and other relevant factors mentioned above. 2. Shared Parental Responsibility: If both parents share custody or parenting time equally, the court may deviate from the standard child support guidelines and adjust the child support amount accordingly. 3. Modified Child Support: In certain cases, one of the parents may have extraordinary expenses related to the child's healthcare needs, such as medical treatments or therapy. The court may order an additional child support amount specifically for these expenses. It's important to note that the child support amount in Florida may be subject to modification if there are significant changes in the financial circumstances of either parent or the needs of the child. Parents can seek court-approved modifications if they can demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances. In summary, in Florida, child support is determined based on the income of both parents and various factors related to the child's needs. The court uses guidelines to calculate the child support amount, but there can be deviations based on shared parental responsibility or extraordinary expenses.
