Florida Child Support
Estimate for Florida
Florida uses the Income Shares model.
Florida Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Paying parent income: $5,000.00/mo · Other parent: $4,000.00/mo · Overnights: 0/yr · Child care: $0.00/mo · Health ins.: $0.00/mo · Children: 2
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.
Official schedule: Florida Statutes 61.30(6) - Schedule of Basic Obligations (combined monthly NET income). Values from the 2024 Florida Statutes. (2024)
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
Estimated monthly support by number of children
Typical amounts in Florida
| Scenario | Obligor income/mo | Other parent | Est. monthly support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower earner | $2,500 | $4,000/mo | $447/mo |
| Typical case | $5,500 | $4,000/mo | $792/mo |
| Higher earner | $9,000 | $4,000/mo | $947/mo |
Florida uses the income shares model on net income. Your numbers will differ — run the calculator above with your own inputs. Estimates are educational, not a court order.
§ How Florida calculates support
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.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case 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).
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: 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.
Walk-through: 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.
Takeaway: Florida splits the basic obligation plus add-ons in proportion to each parent's net income.
Scenario: Same finances, but each parent has 73+ overnights/year.
Walk-through: 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.
Takeaway: At 73+ overnights the formula grosses up to reflect two households, often lowering the cash transfer.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://floridarevenue.com/childsupport · http://leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html/ · Fla. Stat. § 61.30