Child Support
Fla. Stat. 61.30 — a guideline amount the court presumptively orders, within 5 percent unless it explains why
The guideline amount worked out under the section presumptively establishes what the court must order, in a first proceeding and in a modification. The court may vary from it by plus or minus 5 percent after considering the child's needs, age, station in life and standard of living and each parent's financial status and ability. A variance of more than 5 percent needs a written finding explaining why the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate.
Who handles this in Florida: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Florida directory.
Past 18, while still in high school. Support can continue for a child who is dependent in fact, between 18 and 19, still in high school, and performing in good faith with a reasonable expectation of graduating before 19. A court can also require support past 18 for a dependent person whose mental or physical incapacity began before majority.
Time with each parent changes the figure. Where a parent exercises time sharing for at least 20 percent of the overnights of the year, the court adjusts the award using each parent's share of the overnights, and a parent's failure to regularly exercise that schedule, where the other parent did not cause it, is a substantial change of circumstances for modifying the award.
| The question | What the section says |
|---|---|
| The questionChanging an order because of the guidelines | What the section saysThe difference has to be at least 15 percent or $50, whichever is greater |
| The questionSupport for the time before filing | What the section saysBack to when the parents stopped living in the same household with the child, but not more than 24 months before the petition |
The guidelines schedule, the income definitions and the credits for day care and health insurance run for pages in the section itself. How they apply to a particular household are questions for a licensed Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Fla. Stat. 61.30 — Child support guidelines; retroactive child support
- Fla. Stat. 743.07 — Rights, privileges, and obligations of persons 18 years of age or older
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.