Support in Florida

How Florida Calculates Child Support

Florida uses an income shares model, which means both parents’ incomes are combined to determine the total support obligation. The idea behind this approach is that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents had stayed together.

The calculation begins with each parent’s net income, which is gross income minus allowable deductions such as federal and state taxes, Social Security contributions, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement payments, and health insurance costs (excluding the child’s portion). Both net incomes are then combined and compared against the state’s child support guidelines schedule found in Florida Statutes Section 61.30, which sets a base support amount according to the combined income and the number of children.

Each parent’s share of the total obligation is proportional to their share of the combined income. If one parent earns 60% of the combined income, that parent is responsible for 60% of the child support obligation.

For more detail on how income shares models work across all states, see our guide on how child support is calculated.

Adjustments to the Guideline Amount

Several factors can adjust the base guideline amount in Florida:

• Child care costs necessary for a parent’s employment or education are added to the base obligation and divided proportionally.
• Health insurance premiums for the child are added to the base amount.
• Non-covered medical, dental, and prescription expenses exceeding $250 per year are typically split proportionally.
• Overnight time-sharing adjustments. When a parent exercises at least 20% of overnight stays (73 or more overnights per year), the court applies a formula that reduces the noncustodial parent’s obligation to reflect the direct costs they incur during those overnights.

Courts may deviate from the guidelines by up to 5% without a written finding, but deviations beyond 5% require the court to explain why the guideline amount is unjust or inappropriate.

You can estimate your potential support amount using our child support calculator.

Modifying Child Support in Florida

Either parent may petition for a modification of child support upon showing a substantial change in circumstances that was not anticipated at the time of the original order. Florida law also allows modification when there is at least a 15% change (or $50 per month, whichever is greater) between the existing order and the amount that would result from applying current guidelines to the parties’ present circumstances.

Common grounds include a material change in income for either parent, a change in the time-sharing schedule, a change in the child’s needs (such as new medical or educational expenses), or the emancipation of one child in a multi-child order.

Child support in Florida generally continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is still in high school and expected to graduate before turning 19.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Florida’s Department of Revenue, Child Support Program, has broad enforcement authority. Available remedies include:

• Income deduction orders (wage garnishment), which are automatic in most cases
• Interception of federal and state tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, and professional licenses
• Reporting to credit bureaus
• Passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500
• Contempt of court proceedings, which can result in incarceration

Past-due child support in Florida accrues interest, and arrears cannot be retroactively forgiven — courts can only modify obligations going forward.

Alimony in Florida: The 2023 Reform

Florida’s alimony landscape changed significantly with the passage of SB 1416 in 2023, which Governor DeSantis signed into law. The most notable change: Florida eliminated permanent alimony for all new cases filed after July 1, 2023. This made Florida one of the first large states to fully abolish permanent spousal support.

Under the reformed statute (Florida Statutes Section 61.08), the following types of alimony remain available:

• Bridge-the-gap alimony. Designed to help a spouse transition from married to single life. It addresses short-term, identifiable needs and is limited to a maximum of 2 years. It cannot be modified in amount or duration.
• Rehabilitative alimony. Intended to help a spouse acquire education, training, or work experience needed to become self-supporting. The requesting spouse must present a specific rehabilitative plan. This type can be modified if the plan is completed, is not being followed, or circumstances change.
• Durational alimony. Awarded when permanent alimony is not available (which is now always the case for new filings) and the other forms are insufficient. Its duration is capped based on the length of the marriage.

Marriage Length and Durational Alimony Caps

Under the 2023 reform, Florida classifies marriages by duration:

• Short-term marriage: Less than 10 years
• Moderate-term marriage: 10 to 20 years
• Long-term marriage: 20 years or more

For durational alimony, the award generally cannot exceed 50% of the length of the marriage for short-term marriages, 60% for moderate-term marriages, and 75% for long-term marriages. In exceptional circumstances, the court may exceed these caps, but it must make specific written findings to justify doing so.

Factors the Court Considers

When determining whether to award alimony and in what amount, the court evaluates factors listed in Florida Statutes Section 61.08, including:

• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The duration of the marriage
• The age and physical and emotional condition of each party
• The financial resources of each party, including non-marital and marital assets and liabilities
• The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of each party
• The contribution of each party to the marriage, including homemaking, child care, education, and career-building of the other party
• The responsibilities each party will have regarding minor children
• All sources of income available to each party
• Any other factor necessary to do equity and justice between the parties

The 2023 reform also added a provision stating that adultery may be considered when determining alimony, including the financial impact of the adultery on the parties.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Florida’s 2023 alimony reform fundamentally changed the analysis for anyone going through a divorce in the state. If your case involves support issues — whether you expect to pay or receive alimony — understanding the new durational caps and the elimination of permanent alimony is critical. For child support, cases involving high income, self-employment, or complex time-sharing arrangements benefit from professional analysis. Consider scheduling a free consultation to discuss your circumstances.

Statutes referenced: Florida Statutes Sections 61.29-61.30 (child support), Section 61.08 (alimony).