What is the definition of Child Support Guidelines?
Child support guidelines are the statutory formula in Florida Statutes section 61.30 that sets support amounts. The formula uses both parents’ net incomes and the number of overnights each parent spends with the child.
What Goes Into the Calculation
- Each parent’s monthly net income after taxes and deductions
- Health insurance and childcare costs for the child
- The timesharing split, measured in overnights per year
- Mandatory retirement contributions and union dues in limited cases
How Deviations Work
A judge may depart from the guidelines figure only in writing, explaining why the result would be unfair. Common examples include a child’s special medical needs or a parent who is voluntarily unemployed, where income can be imputed. Imputed income means the court assigns earning potential rather than actual pay.
Related Terms
Questions About Your Support Number?
For help with a guideline calculation dispute, visit our Tampa child support attorney page, or call Mindi Lasley, P.A. at (813) 873-9047.