Orlando Child Support Lawyer
Which parent will be paying child support after the divorce? How does the court decide the amount of child support, and what if a parent thinks the amount is too much or too little? Both parents are legally obligated to support their children financially, and the judge in a Florida divorce has the power to order either or both parents to pay support. Even if you were never married, the judge may still order the payment of support. Whether you will be paying or receiving child support, the Orlando child support lawyers at the Donna Hung Law Group in Orlando can help ensure that you and your child are treated fairly in your Florida divorce.
Florida Child Support Factors
Florida judges follow state guidelines in determining child support obligations in a divorce. These guidelines use a formula based on both parents’ incomes, the children’s needs, and the number of children to be supported, to arrive at an amount either parent is required to pay. Other factors, including the needs of the child, the parents’ ability to pay, and the timesharing arrangement, may also come into play.
Although the guidelines and formula come up with a presumptive amount of child support, the court has the authority to deviate from the guidelines amount based on a number of different factors. Some of these factors include:
- When a child has extraordinary medical expenses
- When a child has an independent income stream
- When a parent is also supporting a parent financially
- To account for seasonal variations in income
- The age of the child
- A child’s special needs
- The parenting plan and time-sharing schedule
- Other factors that would make a deviation equitable
Child Support Modifications
Even after a child support order is in place, circumstances can change for either parent or the child, warranting a modification. A significant change in financial situation, such as a job loss, a substantial raise, or changes in the child’s needs, may justify a request to modify the support order. Our experienced attorneys at the Donna Hung Law Group can help you petition the court for a modification, whether you need an increase or decrease in the support amount. We will carefully review your situation and present a compelling case to the court on why the modification is necessary.
Enforcement of Child Support
When a parent fails to meet their child support obligations, Florida law provides several enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. Our firm can assist in enforcing child support orders through actions like wage garnishment, property liens, and even seeking contempt of court, which can result in fines or jail time for the non-compliant parent. If you’re not receiving the child support your child is entitled to, our skilled lawyers can take immediate action to protect your rights and ensure proper support is provided.
How Our Orlando Family Law Attorneys Can Help
Although the guidelines and formula may seem fairly straightforward to calculate, you can see that there are actually a number of factors that go into the initial calculation, and a number of reasons the court may deviate from the guidelines amount. If you or your spouse are arguing for a deviation from the guidelines, we can help prepare a strong, persuasive argument why such a deviation is or is not appropriate.
An experienced family law attorney can also prove instrumental in the calculation of the guideline amount. This amount is based on both parents’ incomes, including income from all sources. If your spouse is self-employed or a business owner, he or she may not be reporting income fully or accurately. Our lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to determine whether income is being reported correctly. Also, if your spouse is unemployed or underemployed, we can argue for the correct amount of income the court should impute to your spouse, as if he or she were fully employed. Our office is also skilled and experienced in post-divorce modifications and child support enforcement actions.
Get Help from Skilled, Knowledgeable Orlando Child Support Lawyers
For effective, detailed assistance with the child support determination in your Florida divorce, call the Donna Hung Law Group in Orlando for help from a team of highly-qualified and experienced Orlando child support lawyers.
