Paulette Hamilton | March 1, 2026 | Child Support Cases in Orlando
Both parents have an obligation to contribute to their children’s financial support. During a divorce, child support payments are often a big issue that must be resolved. Supporting a child is expensive, so parents want to ensure their ex-spouse pays their fair share.
In Florida, several factors may be considered when determining the amount of child support payments. Keep reading below to learn all the details.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Florida?
Like most states, Florida uses a statutory formula to calculate child support payments. Judges rely on a child support worksheet that considers the parents’ financial information and applies the state’s child support guidelines. These guidelines provide a baseline amount of support, although judges may deviate from them in certain situations.
Florida law sets guideline support amounts based on the parents’ combined net income and the number of children involved. Each parent is typically responsible for a share of that amount based on their proportion of the total income. However, other circumstances may justify adjusting the final support obligation.
Factors Considered to Determine Child Support Payments
While the parents’ income is one of the main factors, several other factors may be considered when determining the final amount of child support payments. Some of those factors include:
- Custody arrangements
- Health and medical expenses
- Childcare expenses
- The earning capacity of each parent
- The number of children
- Other relevant factors
The judge has fairly broad discretion to deviate from the worksheet guidelines. Even if one parent has no income, the judge can assign income to that parent based on their ability to obtain employment and their income potential. Having an experienced child support lawyer on your side throughout the process can be crucial to getting a favorable outcome in your case.
How Parenting Time Can Affect Child Support
Parenting time can also influence the amount of child support ordered in Florida. When one parent has the child for a greater portion of the time, that parent often bears more day-to-day expenses related to housing, food, transportation, and other needs.
Florida’s child support guidelines account for the number of overnight stays each parent has with the child. If parents share a significant amount of parenting time, the court may adjust the support amount to reflect the time the child spends with each parent.
This helps ensure that financial responsibilities are shared fairly between both parents.
Can Child Support Payments Be Changed?
Yes, there are ways to get child support payments. If you have a significant change in your circumstances, you may be able to get child support payments changed. Some examples of changes that might qualify are:
- Unexpected job loss
- Job promotion resulting in significantly higher income
- Change in the child’s medical needs
- Education or other expenses not covered by insurance
To change child support, you must go to court and obtain a new order signed by a judge. You cannot simply begin paying a different amount on your own.
Typically, this process involves filing a Petition for Modification of Child Support and providing proof of the change, such as updated pay stubs or other documentation. In some cases, parents may agree on a new support amount without a formal hearing, but the judge must still approve the modification before it becomes official.
Contact Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Orlando Child Support Lawyer
Child support decisions in Orlando, Florida, can have a lasting impact on both parents and children. Because Florida courts consider multiple financial and practical factors when determining or modifying support, the process can sometimes become complex.
The experienced team at the Law Office of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers can help you with every detail of child support payments. Whether you need to establish child support or modify existing payments, our team is dedicated to helping you obtain the outcome you desire.
For more information, please contact the Law Office of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers in Orlando, FL for a confidential consultation with our experienced Orlando child support lawyers.
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About the Author
Paulette F. Hamilton is the owner and managing attorney at the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers in Orlando, Florida. She focuses exclusively on family law, handling complex matters involving divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and property division. Known for her personalized, client-first approach, Paulette takes the time to understand each client’s unique goals and challenges—delivering thoughtful guidance and strong advocacy when it matters most.
