Boca Raton Child Support Lawyer
When your family faces changes that affect your children’s financial security, having an experienced Boca Raton child support lawyer becomes essential to protecting their future. Child support issues arise during divorce proceedings, modifications of existing orders, and enforcement of unpaid obligations, requiring legal expertise to navigate Florida’s statutory guidelines and ensure your children receive the financial support they deserve. At Williams & Varsegi, LLC, we practice exclusively in the area of family law, bringing over twenty years of experience to child support matters throughout Palm Beach and Broward County.
Our boutique firm’s focused approach means we understand the complexities of Florida child support law, the tendencies of local judges in Palm Beach County courts, and the strategies that lead to favorable outcomes for our clients. Whether you need to establish initial support, modify an existing order, or enforce collection of unpaid support, we provide the knowledgeable representation necessary to secure your children’s financial stability during challenging family transitions.
Understanding Florida Child Support Guidelines
Florida follows specific statutory guidelines to calculate child support obligations, creating a mathematical framework designed to ensure children receive adequate financial support from both parents. The guidelines consider each parent’s monthly net income, the number of overnight stays each parent has with the children throughout the year, health insurance costs, daycare expenses, and other child-related expenditures that impact the family’s financial needs.
The calculation begins with determining each parent’s net monthly income, which includes wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, investment returns, and other sources of regular financial support. Florida courts then apply a percentage-based formula that increases with the number of children, recognizing that larger families require proportionally more financial resources.
However, the guidelines serve as a starting point rather than an absolute requirement. Courts may deviate from the standard calculation when applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate based on specific circumstances. Our attorneys help clients understand when deviation might be appropriate and present compelling evidence to support adjustments that better reflect the family’s actual needs and circumstances.
Factors that might justify deviation include the child’s special needs, significant differences in the parents’ financial resources, the child’s independent income, or agreements between parents that provide equivalent or greater benefits. Successfully arguing for deviation requires thorough preparation and understanding of how Palm Beach County judges interpret these factors.
Child Support Modification and Enforcement
Life circumstances change, and Florida law recognizes that child support orders may need modification to reflect new realities. A substantial change in circumstances, defined as a difference of at least 15 percent or $50 in the monthly obligation, whichever is greater, can justify modification of an existing order. Common reasons for modification include job loss, significant income increases or decreases, changes in the time-sharing schedule, or modifications to health insurance coverage.
The modification process requires filing a petition with the court and demonstrating the substantial change through financial documentation. Our Boca Raton family lawyers help clients gather the necessary evidence and present compelling cases for modification while protecting against unfair attempts by the other parent to reduce legitimate support obligations.
When parents fail to pay court-ordered child support, Florida provides several enforcement mechanisms to collect unpaid obligations. Income withholding orders automatically deduct support payments from the obligor’s wages, while asset seizure can recover funds from bank accounts, investment accounts, and other property. The state can also suspend driver’s licenses, professional licenses, and recreational licenses for parents who fall significantly behind in their support obligations.
Contempt of court proceedings provide another powerful enforcement tool, potentially resulting in jail time for parents who willfully refuse to pay support despite having the ability to do so. Our attorneys pursue all available enforcement options to ensure children receive the financial support ordered by the court.
Complex Income and High-Asset Child Support Cases
Many families in the Boca Raton area involve complex income situations that require sophisticated analysis to properly calculate child support obligations. Self-employed parents, business owners, professionals with variable income, and individuals with substantial investment portfolios present unique challenges in determining accurate monthly income for support calculations.
Business owners may attempt to minimize their apparent income through various accounting methods, requiring forensic analysis of financial records to uncover the true extent of available resources. Our attorneys work with financial experts to examine business records, tax returns, lifestyle analysis, and other evidence to ensure child support calculations reflect the parent’s actual ability to provide financial support.
Stock options, deferred compensation, bonuses, and other forms of variable income also complicate support calculations. Florida courts must determine how to treat these income sources fairly, often requiring ongoing monitoring and adjustment of support obligations as income fluctuates over time.
High-net-worth families may face support calculations that exceed the guidelines’ upper income limits, requiring judges to exercise discretion in establishing appropriate support levels. These cases often involve detailed analysis of the children’s reasonable needs, private school tuition, extracurricular activities, healthcare costs, and other expenses that reflect the family’s standard of living.
Boca Raton Child Support FAQs
How long does child support continue in Florida?
Child support typically continues until the child reaches age 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, but not beyond age 19. Support may continue longer for children with disabilities or when parents agree to support college expenses.
Can child support be modified if I lose my job?
Yes, involuntary job loss may constitute a substantial change in circumstances justifying modification. However, you must file a petition promptly and demonstrate that you are actively seeking new employment and minimizing the income reduction.
What happens if my ex-spouse moves out of state with our children?
The child support order remains enforceable across state lines through interstate enforcement mechanisms. The obligation continues regardless of where the children live, though relocation may affect the calculation if it significantly changes costs or the time-sharing schedule.
Can I reduce child support if my ex-spouse remarries?
The receiving parent’s remarriage alone does not justify reducing child support. However, if the remarriage significantly improves their financial situation or affects the children’s needs, it might factor into a modification analysis.
How is child support calculated when I have children from multiple relationships?
Florida law provides specific procedures for calculating support when parents have children from different relationships. The court considers all support obligations and may apportion the parent’s income among all children entitled to support.
What expenses are included beyond basic child support?
Basic child support covers routine living expenses. Additional expenses like health insurance, uninsured medical costs, daycare, and extracurricular activities may be allocated between parents separately from the basic support calculation.
Can child support be paid directly between parents without going through the state?
While parents can make direct payments, Florida strongly encourages payment through the State Disbursement Unit to maintain accurate records and provide protection for both parents in case of disputes about payment history.
Serving Throughout Boca Raton
- Palmetto Park
- Camino Gardens
- Boca Raton Hills
- Spanish River
- Broken Sound
- Mission Bay
- Woodfield Country Club
- Royal Palm Yacht Club
- Boca West
- Mizner Park
Contact a Boca Raton Child Support Attorney Today
Child support matters require immediate attention to protect your children’s financial security and your parental rights. At Williams & Varsegi, LLC, our experienced team understands the complexities of Florida child support law and the local court procedures in Palm Beach County. We have successfully handled child support cases ranging from straightforward guideline calculations to complex high-asset matters requiring detailed financial analysis and expert testimony.
Our experienced divorce attorneys provide personalized attention to each client’s unique circumstances, whether you need to establish initial support, pursue modification of an existing order, or enforce collection of unpaid obligations. We believe children deserve the financial support necessary for their wellbeing and development, and we work tirelessly to ensure court orders reflect their actual needs and both parents’ true financial capabilities. Contact our child support attorney team today to discuss your case and learn how we can help secure your children’s financial future.
