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State Guide · Florida
Child Support in Florida: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Florida child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
Net income. Gross income is reduced by taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement/dues, health insurance (excluding the child), other court-ordered support, and alimony.
Florida uses the Income Shares model under Fla. Stat. § 61.30. It is a net-income state: each parent's gross income is reduced by allowable deductions (taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement/dues, health insurance excluding the child, other court-ordered support, alimony) to reach net income. Combined net income drives a statutory basic-obligation schedule; health insurance, work-related childcare, and uninsured medical costs are added and split proportionally. Deviations over 5% require written findings, and a 'substantial time-sharing' gross-up applies at 73+ overnights.
Open the Florida child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Florida calculator.
How a support order is established in Florida
Open a case through the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) Child Support Program, or file a petition with the clerk of court (often in a dissolution or paternity action).
Establish paternity if the parents were not married (voluntary acknowledgment or court-ordered DNA test).
Both parents disclose income and financial information; DOR or the court completes the Florida Child Support Guidelines Worksheet using the § 61.30 schedule.
The court enters a support order; the amount is presumptive and deviations beyond ±5% need written findings.
Support is typically paid by income withholding; DOR can enforce through license suspension, tax refund interception, and liens.
To modify, file under § 61.14 showing a substantial change (presumed when recomputed support differs by 15% or $50, whichever is greater).
Worked examples
Illustrative example — net-income split (two children) — Parent A net income $2,000/mo; Parent B net income $1,000/mo; combined net $3,000/mo; two children; child health insurance $150/mo; work childcare $200/mo. Parent A earns 67% of combined net income. The § 61.30 schedule basic obligation for $3,000 combined net and two children is about $902 (illustrative schedule figure). Add-ons = $350. Parent A\'s share = 0.67 × ($902 + $350) ≈ $839/mo. Florida splits the basic obligation plus add-ons in proportion to each parent\'s net income.
Illustrative example — substantial time-sharing gross-up — Same finances, but each parent has 73+ overnights/year. Under § 61.30(11)(b) the basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5 before allocation by time-sharing and income shares, which usually reduces the net amount the paying parent transfers in near-equal households. At 73+ overnights the formula grosses up to reflect two households, often lowering the cash transfer.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Florida can be modified when there is a substantial change in income, custody, or circumstances. Use the modification eligibility check and the cross-state comparison tool to see how a move would change the outcome. Enforcement runs through the state agency and can include income withholding and contempt proceedings.
Official sources
Florida Department of Revenue — Child Support Program — https://floridarevenue.com/childsupport
Florida Statutes § 61.30 (Child Support Guidelines) — http://leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html/
Is Florida based on gross or net income?
Net income. Gross income is reduced by taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement/dues, health insurance (excluding the child), other court-ordered support, and alimony.
When does time-sharing change the calculation?
When each parent has at least 73 overnights per year, a 1.5x gross-up applies under § 61.30(11)(b).
Can the court deviate from the guideline?
Up to ±5% presumptively; more than 5% requires written findings explaining why the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate.
How do I modify an order?
Under § 61.14, by showing a substantial change in circumstances; Florida presumes a change when recomputed support differs by 15% or $50.
When does support end?
At age 18, or 19 if the child is still in high school; longer if the child is incapacitated.
What if the other parent won\'t pay?
DOR can suspend licenses, intercept tax refunds, place liens, and report to credit bureaus.
Florida child support calculator
Estimate for Florida
Florida uses the Income Shares model.
Enter the paying parent’s net (after-tax/deductions) monthly income.
Florida Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: net · Statute: Fla. Stat. § 61.30
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$1,179.44per month
Official schedule: Florida Statutes 61.30(6) - Schedule of Basic Obligations (combined monthly NET income). Values from the 2024 Florida Statutes. (2024)
Annual estimate$14,153.28
Effective rate23.6%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official Florida schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
View calculation breakdown
Combined parental income
$9,000
Total basic obligation (schedule)
$2,123
Obligor income share
55.6%
Obligor basic obligation
$1,179
Estimated monthly support
$1,179
How the basic obligation splits between parents
56%
44%
Paying parent: $1,179 Other parent: $944
Each parent pays their proportional share of the combined basic obligation.
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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