EZ Florida Divorce Child Support
In EZ Florida Divorce, both parents are obligated to support their children, regardless of their time sharing arrangement. Timesharing is a crucial factor in determining child support, alongside the parents’ incomes. The more time one parent spends with the child, the greater the financial responsibility on the other parent. When timesharing is equal, both parents share the duty to provide support based on their respective incomes.
Many parents mistakenly believe they can agree to waive child support. However, the court must always prioritize the child’s best interests when making any orders, including child support. This means that even if parents agree to waive child support, the court will usually reject this agreement. In rare cases, the court may not order child support, such as when both parents earn the same income and share equal timesharing. Generally, even in equal timesharing situations, the parent with the higher income may still be required to pay support to the lower-earning parent.
Calculating Child Support
Child support in EZ Florida Divorce is calculated based on both parents’ gross monthly income and statutory guidelines. The guidelines consider the income and the amount of time sharing each parent exercises. If a parent is unemployed but able to work, child support will be calculated based on minimum wage earnings. Health insurance costs are also included in the child support calculations.
The court must find the child support amount to be in the child’s best interest. If the ordered amount deviates from the EZ Florida Divorce State Child Support Guidelines, the court must specify reasons for this deviation and explain why the alternative amount is in the child’s best interest. If parents agree to a lower amount than the statutory guidelines, the court is likely to reject the agreement unless there are compelling reasons for the lower amount.
Income Withholding
Most EZ Florida Divorce courts require an Income Withholding Order in cases where child support is ordered. This order mandates that the paying parent’s employer withhold the child support amount from their paycheck and send it to the state for payment.
Typically, all child support payments are processed through the EZ Florida Divorce Disbursement Unit in Tallahassee, meaning the paying parent does not pay the other parent directly.
Failure to Pay Child Support
EZ Florida Divorce courts take non-payment of court-ordered child support very seriously. Parents who fail to pay may face contempt of court charges, suspension of their driver’s license, seizure of IRS refunds, and even jail time.