Paulette Hamilton | July 17, 2026 | Child Support Cases in Orlando
A common assumption among parents going through a separation is that joint child custody in Orlando (known as time sharing in Florida) means neither side will owe child support. It makes sense on the surface, but Florida law does not work that way in practice. In most cases, one parent will still be required to make payments to the other, including in situations when parenting time is split right down the middle.
The deciding factor usually comes down to income. If one parent earns more than the other, the court will almost always order some level of support to keep the child’s standard of living consistent across both homes. Our Orlando family law attorneys can help you determine how this process works and what it means for your situation; in the meantime, read on to learn more.
How Florida Calculates Child Support
Florida uses what is called the Income Shares Model under Florida Statutes § 61.30. The court starts by looking at each parent’s net monthly income, then combines those numbers. From there, a statutory chart is used to determine the base child support obligation based on combined income and the number of children involved.
Each parent is then responsible for a share of that total that matches their portion of the combined income. For example, if one parent earns 65% of the household’s combined income, that parent would cover 65% of the support obligation.
On top of the base amount, the court will also factor in additional costs like health insurance premiums and childcare expenses related to employment. Those costs are also divided based on each parent’s income percentage.
Does Joint Custody Eliminate Child Support?
Almost never. This is one of the biggest misconceptions in Florida family law. Even with a true 50/50 time-sharing arrangement, one parent will typically still owe support if there is a meaningful gap in income.
Here is why:
- Florida’s system is built around the child’s standard of living: The goal is to make sure a child does not experience a drastically different quality of life depending on which parent they are with that week.
- Equal time-sharing does not mean equal financial responsibility: The only scenario where child support might not apply is when both parents earn nearly identical incomes and share equal parenting time. That situation is rare.
- Overnight stays affect the formula: When both parents have at least 73 overnights per year (roughly 20% of the year), the court applies a different method known as the “gross-up” calculation. This adjusts the base obligation because there may be duplicated living expenses.
The bottom line is that in nearly every equal time-sharing arrangement, the higher-earning parent will still be expected to pay some level of support. How much depends on the specific income gap and how parenting time is divided.
What the Court May Consider in Addition to Income
While income is the primary driver of any child support calculation, the court also takes other factors into account:
- The total number of overnights each parent has with the child
- Health insurance costs for the child, including dental and vision
- Childcare expenses that are necessary because of a parent’s work schedule
- Whether either parent is supporting children from another relationship
- Any special needs the child has that require additional financial resources
Judges in Florida can deviate from the standard guideline amount if circumstances call for it. Deviations over 5%, however, require written findings explaining why the standard calculation would be unfair or inappropriate.
Contact the Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers To Schedule a Consultation With an Orlando Child Support Lawyer
Child support with equal time-sharing in Florida is rarely as simple as people expect. The formula can get complicated quickly, most prominently in circumstances where both parents have substantial time-sharing or significant differences in income.
Law Office Of Paulette Hamilton Divorce Lawyers can walk you through the numbers and help you prepare for what comes next. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with an Orlando child support attorney so we can start working on a plan that protects both you and your child.
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.
