When can Florida child support be modified?

Florida allows modification when there is substantial change in circumstances — typically 15%+ income change, custody changes, childcare cost changes, or a child reaching majority. The change must be involuntary, permanent, and material.

Florida Child Support Calculator

Q: How does Florida define income for child support?

Florida §61.30(2) includes wages, bonuses, business income, rental income, disability, Social Security, alimony, and unemployment. Courts can impute income to voluntarily underemployed parents. Public assistance and SSI are excluded.

Q: Are there minimum child support orders in Florida?

Yes. Florida courts typically order at least a nominal amount to keep the obligation active and modifiable. The minimum ensures enforceability even when calculated amounts are very low.

Q: Does Florida require childcare costs to be shared?

Yes. Florida mandates work-related childcare be added to base support and split proportionally. Only childcare enabling the custodial parent to work, study, or seek employment qualifies. This add-on is often one of the largest components.

Estimate FL child support using the §61.30 income shares model. Includes health insurance, childcare add-ons, and shared parenting adjustment for 73+ overnights.

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NCP Monthly Gross Income

Custodial Parent Monthly Gross

Number of Children

Florida Basic Child Support

$1,193/mo

Combined Net Income$7,800/mo

Base Support Schedule$1,989/mo

NCP Income Share60.0%

Florida uses the Income Shares model with a minimum need schedule. Both parents' net incomes are combined and the base support is split proportionally.

Advanced Calculator

FL §61.30 income shares schedule, overnights vs. support line chart with 73-night threshold, shared parenting adjustment table, and year-by-year projection.

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FL §61.30 Inputs

NCP Monthly Gross (annual)

CP Monthly Gross (annual)

Children

NCP Annual Overnights

nights

FL Income Shares Result

$1,168/mo base

Guideline Base$1,766/mo

NCP Income Share61.5%

Shared Parenting Adj.Applied

NCP Nights73 (20%)

Shared parenting adjustment applied (73+ overnights). Support reduced from standard $1,087/mo.

NCP Overnights/Year vs. Monthly Support

Health Insurance/mo

Work Childcare/mo

Total with Add-Ons

Base support: $1,168/mo

Health ins. (62% share): +$215/mo

Childcare (62% share): +$492/mo

Total: $1,876/mo

Professional Simulator

Full §61.30 worksheet, income breakdown (W-2, SE, rental, alimony), health insurance and childcare add-ons, retroactive support, what-if scenarios, and 20-year projection.

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NCP Income — Total: $85,000/yr

W-2 / Salary

Self-Employment

Bonuses

Rental Income

Alimony Received

CP Income — Total: $45,000/yr

W-2 / Salary

Self-Employment

Custody, Add-Ons & Retroactive

Children

NCP Annual Overnights

nights

Health Insurance/mo

Work Childcare/mo

Unreimbursed Medical/mo

Retroactive Months

mos

FL §61.30 Professional Analysis

$2,146/mo

NCP After-Tax

Gross: $85,000/yr

Federal tax: −$10,402

SE tax: −$2,119

Net after CS: $3,894/mo

Support Components

Base support: $1,263/mo

Health ins.: +$229/mo

Childcare: +$588/mo

Unr. medical: +$65/mo

Total: $2,146/mo

How Florida Child Support Works

Florida calculates child support under §61.30, Florida Statutes, using an Income Shares model with a minimum need schedule. Both parents' net incomes are combined, the base support amount is determined from a schedule, and each parent contributes proportionally.

Florida Net Income

Florida uses net income, defined as gross income minus federal and state income taxes, FICA, mandatory union dues, health insurance for the parent (not the children), court-ordered support for other children, and certain spousal support payments.

Mandatory Add-ons

Florida requires three mandatory add-ons to the base support amount, split proportionally by income:

Health insurance premiums for the children
Work-related childcare costs
Reasonable unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding $250/year per child

Shared Parenting Adjustment

When the non-custodial parent has 73 or more overnights per year (20% of the time), Florida applies a shared parenting adjustment. The base support is multiplied by 1.5, then each parent's time-share is factored in to calculate a net transfer amount. This can significantly reduce the support obligation.

Base Support = FL Schedule Lookup (Combined Net Income × Children)
NCP Obligation = Base Support × (NCP Net ÷ Combined Net)
+ Add-ons (health ins + childcare + medical) × NCP share

Shared Parenting (73+ overnights):
Adjusted = (Base × 1.5 × NCP time%) − (Base × 1.5 × Custodial time% × NCP income%)

Worked Example — Standard

Dad (NCP): $6,000/mo gross. Mom: $4,000/mo gross. Two children. Dad has 73 overnights/yr.

Dad's Net Income~$4,680/mo

Mom's Net Income~$3,120/mo

Combined Net~$7,800/mo

Base Support (2 children)~$1,989/mo

Dad's Income Share60%

Dad's Base Obligation$1,193/mo

+ Health & Childcare+$372/mo

Total Monthly Support$1,565/mo

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers Florida's shared parenting adjustment? ▼

Florida's shared parenting adjustment under §61.30(11)(b) applies when the non-custodial parent exercises 73 or more overnights per year with the children. This equals approximately 20% of the year. When this threshold is met, the base support is multiplied by 1.5 and then reduced based on each parent's actual time-share percentage and income share. The adjustment can substantially reduce the NCP's obligation.

How does Florida define income for child support? ▼

Florida §61.30(2) defines income broadly to include wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, business income, rental income, disability benefits, Social Security, alimony, workers' compensation, and unemployment. Courts can impute income to a voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parent based on recent work history and education. Income does not include public assistance, SSI, or child support received for other children.

Are there minimum child support orders in Florida? ▼

Yes. Florida has a minimum child support obligation. Even when the calculated amount would be very low, courts typically order at least a nominal amount to keep the obligation active. The minimum ensures that child support orders can be enforced and remain modifiable if circumstances change. Courts also consider the children's actual needs when income is very low.

Can the Florida child support schedule be changed? ▼

Yes. Florida allows modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances — typically a change in income of 15% or more, a change in custody arrangements, changes in childcare costs or health insurance, or when a child reaches the age of majority. The change must be involuntary, permanent, and material. Courts look at the difference between the current order and what a new calculation would produce.

Does Florida require childcare costs to be shared? ▼

Yes. Florida mandates that work-related childcare costs be added to the base support and divided proportionally between parents. Only childcare necessary for employment, job search, or education qualifies. After-school care and summer programs count if they allow the custodial parent to work. The childcare add-on is often one of the largest components of the total support obligation.