Florida uses an income-based formula, not a fixed amount
Florida does not have a single child support number that applies to everyone. Instead, the state uses a guideline calculation based on both parents' gross monthly income and the number of children. The formula produces a base amount, which a judge can then adjust based on factors like custody time, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses.
The calculation starts with a combined parental income table. If both parents earn $10,000 per month combined, the base support differs from a family where both earn $5,000 combined. The more income involved, the higher the base amount — but the increase is not dollar-for-dollar.
Florida law assumes that both parents have a financial obligation to support their children, regardless of who has custody. The non-custodial parent (the one the child does not live with most of the time) typically pays the custodial parent, though in shared custody situations, the parent with the lower income may still owe support to the other.
Key Takeaways
- Florida calculates child support using a percentage of combined parental gross income, with different percentages for one child, two children, three children, and so on.
- The base guideline amount assumes the non-custodial parent pays a percentage of their own income, adjusted by the custodial parent's income.
- Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and some benefits — but not child support or spousal support already being paid.
- A judge can order more or less than the guideline amount if circumstances like high income, low income, or significant childcare costs apply.
- The amount can be modified if either parent's income changes by 15 percent or more, or if custody arrangements change.
The percentage-of-income formula and income caps
Florida's guideline uses these percentages of combined parental gross income:
| Number of Children | Percentage of Combined Income |
|---|---|
| One child | 20 percent |
| Two children | 25 percent |
| Three children | 30 percent |
| Four children | 35 percent |
| Five or more children | 40 percent |
The state sets an income cap. Combined parental income above that cap is not automatically included in the calculation — though a judge can order support based on income above the cap if they find it appropriate. The cap changes yearly; as of 2024, it is $10,000 per month in combined income, but you should confirm the current year's figure with the Florida Department of Revenue or your local court.
Once the base percentage is calculated, the amount is split between the parents based on their individual income shares. If one parent earns 60 percent of the combined income and the other earns 40 percent, the support obligation is divided proportionally. The parent with the higher income typically owes more.
What counts as gross income for child support
Gross income in Florida child support cases includes most forms of money coming in, not just a paycheck. Wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, overtime, and self-employment income all count. So do rental income, interest and dividend income, retirement distributions, and military allowances.
Some benefits count: unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and disability payments are included. Social Security benefits paid to a parent (not to the child directly) count as income. However, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) do not count as parental income.
Income already being paid out for other child support or spousal support obligations is subtracted before the calculation. If a parent is already paying support for another child in another case, that amount reduces their available income for the current case.
Deductions like federal income tax, Social Security tax, and health insurance premiums are not subtracted from gross income for the guideline calculation. The guideline uses gross income, meaning the full amount before taxes and withholdings.
How custody time affects the amount
The percentage formula assumes the non-custodial parent has the child less than 20 percent of the time (roughly 73 days per year). If the non-custodial parent has the child 20 percent or more of the time, the calculation adjusts downward. More time with the child means lower support, because that parent is spending money directly on the child's care during those days.
In true 50-50 shared custody, the support obligation may be minimal or zero, depending on income differences. If both parents earn the same and split time equally, one parent may owe little to nothing. If one parent earns significantly more, they may still owe support even in equal time-sharing.
The court looks at the actual overnight schedule. A parent who has the child every other weekend and one weeknight does not reach 20 percent time-sharing. A parent with the child three or four days per week likely does. The exact calculation depends on the specific schedule.
Adjustments judges can make to the guideline amount
The guideline amount is a starting point, not a ceiling or floor. A Florida judge can order more or less than the guideline if specific circumstances apply. These include:
- Income above the state cap (the judge can include high income if they find it in the child's best interest)
- Significant childcare or health insurance costs that one parent pays
- Special needs or medical expenses of the child
- Each parent's financial resources and standard of living
- The child's actual needs
- Tax consequences to either parent
- Whether either parent receives spousal support
A judge must state in writing why they are deviating from the guideline if they order an amount that differs. This written explanation is important because it becomes part of the record if either parent later asks to modify the order.
How to modify child support if circumstances change
Child support orders are not permanent. Either parent can ask the court to modify the amount if there is a substantial change in circumstances. Florida law defines this as a change in either parent's income of 15 percent or more, or a significant change in custody time.
A job loss, a significant raise, a return to work after unemployment, or a change in how much time the child spends with each parent can all trigger a modification request. The parent seeking the change must file a motion with the court and show proof of the changed circumstance — pay stubs, a job offer letter, or a new custody agreement, for example.
Modifications are effective from the date the motion is filed, not from the date the change actually happened. If you wait a year to file after losing your job, the court will not usually go back and adjust the prior year's payments. Filing promptly protects you from owing a large arrearage.
Where to find the current guideline table and calculate an estimate
The Florida Department of Revenue publishes the official child support guideline table each year. You can find it on the department's website under the child support section. The table shows the exact base amount for every income level and number of children.
Many Florida county court websites also post the guideline table and sometimes offer a simple calculator tool. These calculators give you a rough estimate based on income and number of children, but they do not account for custody time, childcare costs, health insurance, or other adjustments a judge might make.
If you are involved in a child support case, your attorney or the court's family law facilitator can walk you through the calculation with your actual numbers. The state also offers a free child support estimator tool on the Department of Revenue website, though it is meant for general information only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does child support stop at age 18 in Florida?
Child support typically ends when the child turns 18, unless the child is still in high school. If the child is still enrolled in high school at 18, support continues until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. Support also continues past 18 if the child is dependent due to a disability.
What if one parent has no income or is unemployed?
The court does not assume zero income. If a parent is unemployed, the judge may impute income based on their earning capacity — what they could earn given their age, education, and work history. A parent cannot deliberately quit a job to avoid child support. The court looks at whether the unemployment is voluntary or involuntary and may order support based on potential income rather than actual income.
Can child support be ordered retroactively?
Yes. If a child support case is filed after the child is born, the court can order support back to the date the case was filed, or in some cases to the date the child was born. This is called arrearage. The parent owing support becomes responsible for the full amount owed from that earlier date, not just from the date the order is signed.
Does the guideline amount include health insurance and childcare costs?
The guideline percentage is the base amount. Health insurance premiums for the child and childcare costs are usually added on top of the guideline amount. One or both parents may be ordered to carry health insurance, and childcare costs are often split between parents or assigned to one parent. These are separate line items in the final order.
What if both parents have equal income and equal custody time?
If income and custody time are truly equal, the guideline calculation may result in little or no support owed. However, the court still has discretion to order support if the child's needs are not being met or if one parent's standard of living is significantly higher. The judge looks at the whole picture, not just the formula.