Child Support Modification

Child Support Modification in Florida 

Parents have the legal responsibility to provide for their child until he or she reaches the age of 18, or graduates high school - whichever happens later. However, if the minor child cannot graduate from high school prior to attaining the age of 19, the child support is terminated upon the child's 18th birthday.

Child support may be modified by the court from time to time upon the showing by a party that there has been a substantial change in circumstance since the entry of the last court order. Usually the change in circumstance involves a parent's income going up or going down, or one of the children emancipating. Other changes in circumstance exist that can cause a modification as referenced below.  

At the Law Offices of Mark Abzug, PA, we assist clients in child support modifications. For a free consultation in our Coral Springs law office, please call an attorney at (954) 753-1003, or fill out our online contact form.

When Circumstances Change

The court has the power to modify child support when needed. However, this isn't done automatically - for example, when one parent loses his or her job. You return to court and demonstrate the reason for the modification.

Certain life events can require modification of child support amounts. Some examples include:

• When one parent becomes unemployed
• When a child stops needing daycare
• When child's medical needs change
• When a child's educational needs change: Needing tutoring, going to a private school, higher tuition costs, special needs education, etc.
• If there is more than one child for which support is being paid and one of the children becomes emancipated

Current Economic Difficulties

The child support worksheet is used to determine how much a parent pays each month. The final amount is primarily governed by income - the more money you make, the more money you will pay.

Considering the current economic climate - jobs are being lost, incomes are going down - more and more people are requiring a child support modification. At the Law Offices of Mark Abzug, we work with clients who have suffered a job loss and are seeking a change in child support. Our aim, just like yours, is to ensure that your child's needs are met.

Determining Income

The main determining factor in calculating child support is income. Each parent is required to report his or her income. However, the court doesn't have to accept the figures provided. Sometimes people are voluntarily unemployed and/or under-employed. Some are self-employed and aren't forthcoming with accurate numbers. In such cases, the court looks at a number of factors: Past employment history, education, earning potential, etc. Occasionally, expert witnesses come in and report a parent's income-related information to the court. The court will go to great lengths to get the information needed to determine child support.

Contact Us

For more information about divorce decree modifications, please contact a lawyer by calling (954) 753-1003. We offer free consultations in our Broward County law office.

The Law Offices of Mark Abzug, P.A. serves clients throughout Florida, including Coral Springs, Margate, Tamarac, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Parkland, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Palm Beach, Palm Springs, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Sunrise, and the counties of Palm Beach County and Broward County.