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In Florida, child support is governed by the guidelines
established by Florida Statute.

The Child Support Guidelines is based on monthly income and the cost of medical and dental insurance.

The child support guidelines establish the basic child support obligation for parents in most cases. The basic amount must be adjusted for child care expense and cost of providing insurance for the child(ren). Every party, in a child support case, is required to complete a financial affidavit. The sections for income, deductions and expenses are used to determine net income. The available monthly income amounts shown on the affidavits is included in the child support guidelines worksheet.

WHAT ARE THE CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES BASED ON?

The child support guidelines amount is based on the number of children and combined income of the parents. The child support obligation is divided between the parents in direct proportion to their income or earning capacity. The parent with whom the child lives most of the time is paid the established support by the other parent.

The Support amount a parent pays is decreased is if the child stays overnight with that parent more than 40% of overnights. (20% of overnights beginning in 2011)

CAN THE CHILD SUPPORT AMOUNT EVER CHANGE?

Yes, child support can be modified by the court if there is substantial change in the financial circumstances.

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WILL THE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS BE PAID DIRECTLY TO ME?

After the court has decided the amount of the child support to be paid, a decision will be made as to whether child support payments should be paid directly to you or through the central depository and then to you.

WHAT IS THE STATE DISBURSEMENT UNIT?

The "State Disbursement Unit" is a governmental depository established by law to receive, record, report, disburse, monitor and otherwise handle alimony and child support payments.

Once the court enters an order for child support payments to be paid through the State Disbursement Unit, the depository will keep track of the payments made and sent out, and will maintain a written record for any later court hearings.

HOW WILL THE STATE DISBURSEMENT UNIT KNOW ABOUT THE CHILD SUPPORT OWED?

When the court enters an order beginning, enforcing or changing a child support duty, the court must enter a separate order for income deduction. The order makes the obligor's (the person ordered by the court to pay support) employer keep a certain amount of money each time the obligor is paid, and send it to the State Disbursement Unit.

WHEN WILL THE STATE DISBURSEMENT UNIT SEND OUT THE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT?

The Clerk's Office is required to disburse child support payments within 24 hours of receipt. If the court has ordered child support payments to be paid through the depository directly to you, you may wish to expedite receipt of the payment through the use of DIRECT DEPOSIT.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITORY?

You may call 727-464-4845 24 hours a day to find out if a payment was received in the State Disbursement Unit, when the payment was disbursed by the depository and the amount of the payment. Arrearage (delinquent child support obligation) information is also available.

If your child support payment is sent to you by the Department of Revenue, calling 1-800-507-6000 will tell you if the payment was received in their office and the date the payment was disbursed to you.

Be sure to have the case number available when calling either number.