North Port Child Support Lawyers

In Florida, child support ensures that children’s needs are met regardless of whether their parents are together. If you’re going through a divorce or paternity case, or need help modifying or enforcing a support order, our skilled North Port child support lawyers can make all the difference.

At Luhrsen Goldberg, our team of compassionate and tenacious child support attorneys understands the financial and emotional toll these cases can take. We guide parents through the legal process with clarity and purpose, whether you’re seeking child support or facing an unfair payment burden. With nearly 50 years of combined experience and a deep understanding of Florida law, we are here to advocate for your child’s future.

Understanding Child Support in Florida

Florida law requires both parents to contribute to the financial needs of their child. Regardless of your timeshare arrangement, parents have a legal obligation to provide support that covers housing, education, food, medical care, and other essential needs. In most cases, one parent pays support to the other based on income and the amount of time each parent spends with the child.

Child support may be established as part of a divorce, separation, or paternity proceeding, or it may be ordered in standalone support cases. Once an order is in place, it becomes legally binding, and failure to comply can result in serious consequences.

How Child Support Amounts Are Determined

There are different factors that affect payment amounts. Our child support attorneys serving North Port, FL can discuss these matters with you during the consultation process.

Florida’s Child Support Guidelines

Florida uses a standardized formula to calculate child support based on the income of both parents, the number of children, healthcare expenses, child care costs, and the number of overnight stays each parent has with the child. The formula is intended to create predictable and equitable outcomes.

Additional Considerations for Child Support Amounts

While Florida’s child support guidelines provide a baseline for calculating payments, judges have the discretion to deviate from these amounts if unique circumstances justify it. The goal is to ensure that the child’s best interests are met in a way that reflects the realities of each family’s situation.

Medical and Education Costs: For example, if a child has extraordinary medical or educational needs, the court may order higher support to account for long-term therapies, specialized care, or private schooling.
Child Support for Additional Children: If one parent has a legal duty to support other children from another relationship or previous marriage, the court may consider how additional obligations affect their ability to contribute.
Travel Costs for One Parent: If a parent incurs significant travel expenses to maintain parenting time, the court may adjust the support obligation.
Other Factors Courts Consider: Judges may also consider extracurricular activities, seasonal income fluctuations, and other unusual but relevant circumstances.

Timesharing Impacts on Child Support

Timesharing, the division of overnight parenting time between parents, plays a significant role in determining child support in Florida. Generally, the more overnights a parent has, the less child support they may be required to pay.

If both parents share at least 20% of overnights annually (about 73 nights), this triggers a different formula that adjusts the support obligation.

Examples of Timesharing and Changes in Child Support

In a 50/50 timesharing arrangement, both parents share costs equally, and income disparity becomes the focus. Conversely, if one parent has the child most of the time, the other parent typically pays more support. Courts discourage manipulating schedules purely for financial reasons.

Establishing a Child Support Order

In most cases, child support is ordered as part of a divorce or paternity case. If parents are not married, paternity must be established first. In North Port, FL, child support cases are handled through the Sarasota County courthouse under Florida’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit.

Filing for Child Support

The process begins with filing a petition, serving documents to the other parent, and submitting financial affidavits. The court may issue temporary or permanent orders, or approve a written agreement if both parents consent.

Enforcing Child Support Orders

Our firm can help enforce child support orders if payments are late.

Consequences of Nonpayment

Income withholding (wage garnishment)
Tax refund interception
Suspension of licenses
Contempt of court charges

Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) Involvement

The DOR can establish, enforce, and modify support administratively, though the process may be slow. A private attorney can provide more personalized representation.

How a Lawyer Can Help With Child Support Enforcement

A lawyer can file enforcement motions, present evidence, and seek remedies such as wage garnishment or interest on overdue support. We also represent clients accused of nonpayment.

Modifying a Child Support Order

Child support orders may be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as job loss, changes in income, new child needs, or a shift in timesharing schedules.

The Modification Process

To change an order, a Supplemental Petition must be filed. Informal agreements are not binding without court approval.

Common Issues in North Port Child Support Cases

Out-of-State Moves: Enforcement is possible through UIFSA.
Self-Employed or Cash-Income Parents: Determining income may require tax audits and subpoenas.
Financial Hardship: Parents should request modifications rather than stop paying.

Why Hire a North Port Child Support Lawyer?

Child support law is complex. An experienced lawyer ensures your rights are protected and your child’s needs are prioritized.

Personal Attention and Advocacy

At Luhrsen Goldberg, we tailor strategies to your family’s situation.

Local Experience and Resources

We know the Sarasota County courts and procedures. We also provide bilingual legal support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support

How Long Does Child Support Last in Florida? Until 18, or until high school graduation if before 19. It may last indefinitely for special needs children.

Can I Still Collect Past-Due Child Support? Yes. Florida allows indefinite collection of arrears.

Can I Pay Support Directly to the Other Parent? Generally no. Payments should go through the State Disbursement Unit.

Can I Be Jailed for Nonpayment of Child Support? Yes. Courts can impose jail time if nonpayment is willful.

Contact Our Experienced North Port Child Support Lawyers Today

The right legal guidance can make all the difference in your child support case. Contact us online to schedule your free consultation. Our team is here to protect your rights and your child’s future.