Florida courts use a calculation under Florida Statute § 61.30 to determine child support. It considers net income, custody schedules, fixed expenses, and more. But here’s the truth—a paycheck doesn’t tell the full story.
The state has a formula that looks clean on paper. But real life is messy.
For example, one parent might be hiding their full income. Another parent might be taking on more parenting time than the court order reflects. Medical bills can pile up, and expenses can shift. The numbers in your child support order might not reflect the reality you live every day.
What happens when the numbers don’t add up? You hire us to help you fight back.
How Income Really Works in Child Support
Child support starts with net income. But net income isn’t just salary—it includes bonuses, commissions, rental income, pensions, disability benefits, and even self-employment earnings. If money is coming in, the court counts it.
What if a parent quits their job to dodge payments? Florida courts aren’t fooled. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can impute income—assigning an earning potential based on past wages and job market data.
If you suspect the other parent is playing games with their income, you can challenge it. The right legal strategy can expose hidden earnings and make sure your child gets the support they deserve. In fact, Vera Bergermann has a master’s degree in taxation and knows exactly what to look for when someone is trying to hide income.
Time-Sharing and Custody: Who Pays More?
Child support isn’t just about money—it’s about time.
Florida courts reduce support obligations for parents who spend substantial time with their child. If one parent has primary custody, the other pays more. But if both parents share time equally or near equally, child support can drop dramatically—or even be eliminated.
Florida law applies a different calculation if the non-custodial parent has at least 73 overnight stays per year, and the child support base goes up by 50% at that point. The court recognizes that feeding, housing, and clothing a child costs money—no matter whose house they’re in. If your support amount is outdated because your custody schedule has changed, modification may be an option.
Medical Costs and Insurance: The Hidden Factor
Providing health insurance for your offspring isn’t optional—it’s a legal requirement. Florida law mandates that both parents share the cost of medical coverage for their child. If one parent provides the insurance, they get credit for it in the child support order.
But insurance is only part of the equation. Co-pays, prescriptions, deductibles, therapy, and specialized medical care add up fast. If one parent earns significantly more, the court may order them to take on a larger share of uncovered medical expenses.
Think medical costs are unfairly stacked against you? You may be able to challenge the way they’re calculated.
Childcare, Education, and Extra Expenses
Everything about raising a child costs money, from daycare costs to private school tuition, tutoring, and playing on sports teams.
If a child requires daycare while a parent works, that cost is built into child support. If a child attends private school or has special educational needs, those costs may also be factored in—but only if the court deems them reasonable.
Judges ask three key questions:
- Did the child attend private school before the divorce?
- Can both parents afford it?
- Is there a legitimate need for this expense?
One parent can’t unilaterally decide on private school and expect the other to pay unless there’s a clear and established need.
Modifying Child Support: When the Numbers Need to Change
Life doesn’t stand still, and neither should your child support order.
Florida allows modifications when there’s a substantial, involuntary change in circumstances. That could mean losing a job, getting a raise, changes in time-sharing, or an increase in medical expenses.
To qualify for modification, the change must result in a 15% or $50 difference in the support amount. A small shift won’t cut it—you need real financial movement.
Think you’re overpaying or getting too little? If the numbers don’t reflect your reality, it’s time to challenge them.
How a Family Lawyer Can Protect You
Child support isn’t just math. It’s a strategy.
Parents fight over numbers, manipulating income, disputing custody schedules, and inflating expenses. Without legal guidance, you could be overpaying, under-receiving, or stuck in an outdated order that no longer makes sense for your or your child’s living circumstances.
At Bergermann, our Naples family lawyers can:
- Ensure income calculations are accurate—no hidden earnings, no underreported wages.
- Fight for fair time-sharing adjustments—so your payments match your actual custody schedule.
- Defend against inflated expense claims—because child support should be fair, not excessive.
- File modifications when circumstances change—so you’re never stuck with an outdated order.
Without legal representation in Naples, you risk being trapped in an unfair agreement. With the right lawyer, you can take control of your financial future.
Take Control of Your Child Support Case
Child support is supposed to help kids. But too often, it becomes a fight between parents.
Some parents pay too much, and others don’t pay enough. Some struggle to get a fair shake when circumstances change. If your support order doesn’t reflect reality, it’s time to act.
Numbers can be challenged. Orders can be modified. The law is on your side—but only if you use it.
If you’re ready to take control of your child support case, call our office today at (239) 334-0075 for a consultation.
