Requesting An Increase In Fort Lauderdale Child Support Payments

Raising children costs significant amounts of money. Most of us are feeling the pinch due to the high price of housing, food, gas, and other costs, but these increases can hit parents particularly hard.

If you are single or divorced and rely on child support payments in Fort Lauderdale to help meet your child’s expenses, you may consider requesting modifications. Our Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer explains how the court determines child support amounts and factors that influence whether you can request an increase.

Determining The Appropriate Amount Of Child Support In Fort Lauderdale

Whether married, divorced, or single, parents have a legal obligation to provide for their children. Child support is automatically addressed in divorce cases and in the aftermath of paternity proceedings.

Child support payments are based on Florida’s Child Support Guidelines, which you can find listed under Section 61.30 of the Florida Statutes. The court uses a formula to determine an appropriate amount and who has to pay. Among the leading factors a Fort Lauderdale family court judge is likely to consider before approving any changes include:

• Each parent’s total income, including wages, bonuses, commissions, and investments;
• The number of children each parent provides for;
• Your Fort Lauderdale parenting plan and the overall amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home;
• The cost of providing basic care, including housing, health insurance, educational expenses, and any special needs the child has.

These guidelines help ensure child support payments accurately reflect the financial situation of both parents while prioritizing the child’s well-being. Once a child support order is issued through the Broward County Family Court, you may be able to request modifications to the amount, provided you can show a substantial change in circumstances warranting a change.

When Can You Request An Increase In Your Fort Lauderdale Child Support Payments?

While the price of homes, cars, groceries, and other essential items has increased in recent years, fluctuating costs due to inflation are generally not enough to warrant requesting changes in your child support order.

You must provide proof of a substantial, permanent, and involuntary change in circumstances before asking the court to make modifications. This may include:

• A significant increase in the other parent’s income or assets;
• A job loss or cut in hours or pay, reducing the receiving parent’s income;
• A substantial change in the child’s needs, such as newly diagnosed medical conditions or tutoring and other required educational expenses;
• A change in child time-sharing arrangements, which can increase your overall expenses.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Child Support Lawyer To Discuss Your Legal Options

Child support payments in Fort Lauderdale help ensure children have what they need to thrive. If you are receiving support but payments fail to cover increased costs, you may be entitled to request modifications.

Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer Vanessa L. Prieto reviews your case, files the required legal documents, and fights to get the maximum amount you deserve. Contact our office and request a consultation to discuss your legal options today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html

browardclerk.org/Divisions/Family