Florida Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)
Overview of Florida Child Support
Florida calculates child support using the Income Shares Model as defined in Florida Statutes § 61.30. This model estimates the amount that parents would spend on their children if they lived together, then divides that amount between the parents based on their proportional shares of combined income.
The Florida Child Support Guidelines Worksheet is used to calculate support, taking into account both parents' net incomes, healthcare costs, childcare expenses, and the number of children.
How Child Support Is Calculated in Florida
The calculation follows these steps:
- Determine gross income for both parents (salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment, disability, Social Security, etc.)
- Calculate net income by subtracting allowable deductions (taxes, Social Security, Medicare, health insurance, mandatory retirement, union dues)
- Combine net incomes to get the total household income
- Find the base obligation from the Florida Child Support Guidelines table based on combined income and number of children
- Add healthcare and childcare costs to the base obligation
- Allocate proportionally — each parent's share is based on their percentage of the combined income
- Adjust for time-sharing if the non-custodial parent has substantial parenting time
Example Calculation
| Factor | Parent A | Parent B |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Net Income | $4,000 | $2,500 |
| Combined Income | $6,500 | |
| Base Obligation (2 children) | ~$1,560 | |
| Income Share | 61.5% | 38.5% |
| Each Parent's Share | $959 | $600 |
| Parent A pays Parent B | ~$959/month | |
Key Factors in Florida Calculations
Income Definition
Florida considers all sources of income including employment income, self-employment income, disability benefits, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, pension and retirement income, rental income, and recurring gifts or income from any source.
Children and Custody
The number of children directly affects the support amount. Florida's guidelines provide different base obligations for 1 through 6+ children at various income levels. Custody arrangements determine which parent pays and how time-sharing adjustments are applied.
Health Insurance and Childcare
Health insurance premiums for the child and work-related childcare costs are added to the base obligation and shared proportionally between parents based on their income shares.
Minimum and Maximum Amounts
Florida does not have a fixed statutory minimum or maximum child support amount. The court uses the guidelines as a rebuttable presumption — the calculated amount is presumed correct unless either parent can show that it would be unjust or inappropriate.
The court may deviate from guidelines by up to 5% without written findings, or more than 5% with written justification.
Modification and Enforcement
Modification
Either parent can request a modification by filing a supplemental petition with the court. A substantial change in circumstances must be demonstrated, such as:
- Significant increase or decrease in either parent's income
- Change in custody or time-sharing arrangement
- Change in the child's needs
- Relocation of either parent
Enforcement
The Florida Department of Revenue enforces child support through:
- Income withholding orders
- Tax refund interception
- Driver's license suspension (arrears over $5,000)
- Professional license suspension
- Credit bureau reporting
- Property liens
- Contempt of court proceedings
Get your Florida child support estimate now: Use our free calculator or read about recent Florida law changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated in Florida?
What is the minimum child support in Florida?
Does shared custody reduce child support in Florida?
What income is counted for Florida child support?
How do I modify child support in Florida?
Who enforces child support in Florida?
Legal Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Child support laws vary by state and are subject to change. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified family law attorney in your jurisdiction.