CHILD SUPPORT

Child support in the State of Florida is determined by Child Support Guidelines that account for the income of both parents. The Child Support Guidelines take into account numerous factors, including income, parenting plans, health insurance and child care costs. Our firm helps clients with a wide range of child support issues. Our firm is prepared to represent all of our clients personally and professionally in these difficult matters. For example, many people do not know that you are not entitled to a change of your court ordered obligation prior to filing an actually lawsuit even if your changed circumstance has existed for an extended period of time.

 

Every parent is required to provide financial support for their children in accordance with guidelines determined by the state. These guidelines are used to determine the amount of child support and child support will be paid. Provisions are also made for payment of health insurance premiums, uncovered health care expenses, and work or education-related childcare expenses. Depending on the circumstances in your particular case, provision may be made for visitation transportation costs, extra-curricular activities, private school tuition, and other child-related expenditures. The judge may also deviate from the guidelines in setting parents’ respective child support obligations.

 

Child support orders may be modified upon a material change in circumstances, including an increase or decrease in the needs of the child, an increase or decrease in the income of the parents, changes in child care expenses, changes in the cost of health insurance, or when one of the children in the child support order reaches the age of majority or otherwise ceases to be entitled to support pursuant to the child support order.

 

Also, many people do not realize that the non-payment of child support, and alimony, is one of the few third party debts for which one can be incarcerated in this county. These are issues that should always be discussed with legal counsel. Flaherty Law Firm ensures each client properly understands these complex issues. Give us a call today.

 

The primary concern of most divorcing parents is the well being of their children. This can make child custody and child support issues the most contentious parts of a divorce. The attorneys at Flaherty Law Firm compassionately and skillfully represent their clients through this difficult transition.

 

If you have questions about your rights and obligations as to child support or are seeking a modification of child support in your particular case, please contact us to schedule a free, confidential legal consultation.

 

Child Custody:

When parents divorce, provisions must be made for future parenting decisions and scheduling of time with the children. Ideally, parents will be able to co-parent their children under a Joint Child Custody Plan. If parents are unable or unwilling to co-parent, then the court will decide who should have decision-making authority and what the visitation schedule will be.

In making custody and visitation decisions, a judge will determine what is in the children’s best interests. While each case is unique and the judge’s ultimate decisions will be based on the specific facts of your case, there are some common factors that are typically taken into consideration. These factors include determining which parent makes decisions in the child’s best interest, which parent is most likely to provide access to the children without hindering the relationship with the other parent, and any history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental instability. Post-divorce modification of custody orders can occur when a permanent, material, and substantial change in circumstances can be demonstrated. Joint child custody plans may also be modified upon a substantial change in circumstances or terminated if the joint custody plan is just not working.

The child custody attorneys at Flaherty Law Firm can provide you with a confidential legal consultation to discuss the facts and circumstances of your child custody dispute and provide you with a legal opinion as to your options and potential outcomes.

 

Please contact us to schedule your free consultation.