On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
We’ve all heard the nightmares about child support. How many times have you heard the following:
“One parent doesn’t pay, or maybe they don’t pay enough.”
“It is impossible to recover money if the other parent doesn’t pay.”
“You really don’t have to pay if you don’t want to.”
“If you were a woman, you wouldn’t have to pay.”
“Men have to pay more than they should.”
At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., we want you to know that child support doesn’t have to be a mystery. We know it can seem confusing at first, but we want to help you through the process. Contact us if you need a child support attorney in Fort Lauderdale.
You Aren’t Alone
Whether you are the mother or father of a child, we know that going through a divorce when there are children involved can be heartbreaking. We want to work with BOTH parents to ensure an acceptable outcome is reached for the welfare of your child.
In Florida, both parents are obligated to support their children, even after separation. How much each parent must pay is determined by the court using specific methods of calculation. The court will look at how many children there are, the income of both parents, and custody arrangements (which will likely be worked out at the same time).
Since there are different kinds of physical custody arrangements that alter the amount of time a child is with each parent, the child support will be adjusted based on a final custody decision. Also taken into account will be which parent is covering childcare costs, insurance, medical expenses, and school tuition (if necessary).
There are very few occasions when a court will decide that a parent doesn’t have to pay child support, and even then, it is usually temporary.
Can Payments Be Modified?
Yes, child support payments can be modified, both with an increase and decrease depending on the situation. If a parent loses their job, they may not be able to continue to pay at the current amount. Conversely, if a parent gets a promotion or a new job, and their income increases, they may be required to pay more.
There are also instances when the court could order a one-time payment for things like a medical emergency, braces, camps, or a school trip.
What To Do
Please know that child support is not meant to be a punishment for either parent. These payments are necessary to ensure that children are taken care of by both parents. In a divorce, children suffer the most, but these payments, along with regular interaction with both parents, help ease the transition and keep their lifestyle as unchanged as possible. At The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A., we want to help you come up with the best solution for everyone involved. If you need a child support lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, our experienced attorneys can take you through the entire child support process. We know this is a difficult time in your life and we want to help. You can contact us by clicking here or calling 954-533-2756 for a free consultation.
