Florida Child Support Enforcement can be a complex and difficult process for anyone to navigate on their own. The purpose of this blog is to provide an overview of Florida’s child support enforcement process, including how the process works, what resources are available, and what to do if you need help.

First, it is important to understand what child support is and why it exists. Child support is financial support paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to help cover the cost of raising a child. This can include expenses such as food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. In Florida, child support guidelines are set by statute and based on the income of the parents, the number of children they have and the number of overnights the children spend with each parent.

If a parent fails to make their court-ordered child support payments, the Florida Department of Revenue can step in to help enforce the order, or you can hire attorney to assist with enforcement. There are several enforcement tools available, including wage garnishment, intercepting tax refunds, and suspending driver’s licenses or professional licenses. In addition to these tools, legal action against the non-paying parent can lead to fines, jail time, or other penalties.

It is important to note that the department’s enforcement efforts are focused on collecting past-due child support and enforcing current orders. They are not responsible for resolving custody disputes.

If you need assistance with child support enforcement in Florida, there are several resources available to you. The Florida Department of Revenue operates a Child Support Enforcement Program that can provide assistance with establishing paternity, collecting and distributing child support payments, and enforcing court orders. You can also seek assistance from private attorneys, pro bono legal clinics, or legal aid organizations, if you qualify financially. These resources can help you navigate the complex child support enforcement process and ensure that your child receives the financial support they deserve.

In conclusion, Florida Child Support Enforcement can be a challenging process for anyone to navigate. However, by understanding how the process works, utilizing available resources, and seeking the advice of an attorney when needed, you can ensure that your child receives the financial support they need to thrive.

What can happen if a parent continually misses child support payments, and what recourse does that parent have?   A majority of child support is paid by wage garnishment, which means that child support payments are taken out of the individual's paycheck.  However, this is not always the case, and an individual who changes jobs often may not keep up with the payments. 

When child support is being enforced by the Department of Revenue (the “DOR”), the DOR will take escalating enforcement actions that include, negative reports to credit reporting bureaus, driver’s license/registration suspension, U.S. Passport revocation,  up to incarceration.  If a noncustodial parent leaves the state, the state will continue to pursue child by registering the child support order in the state the parent resides in and enforcing in there. 

All of this requires quite a bit of leg work on the part of the parent who is entitled to receive the support.  The attorneys at Lebron Law have experience in child support and custodial issues.  They can explain your options and fight for your rights.  Call us today for a consultation.

After going through Hurricane Irma, one thing is for sure. Preparation is key. Securing your home, knowing where local shelters are, and planning meals for days without power are just a few things to consider. However, few people fail to plan for child custody during emergency situations. 

Have you considered what to do if your ex planned to ride out the hurricane with your child against your wishes? Or, about what you would do if you wanted to evacuate with your child and the child’s parent didn't agree with that?

These are all things to consider when drafting child custody agreements (also called parenting plans). During a state of emergency is not the time to start addressing these issues as they could lead to more legal drama. The more detailed the custody plan, the better! This will enable you to prepare for hurricanes and other unexpected emergencies that might arise. While there are variables that no one can predict, having a child custody plan during emergency situations is important for the child’s safety as well as with each parent. This advanced preparation can help relieve some of the stress when disasters loom, and both parents can set their differences aside to ensure everyone's safety.

If we can help you create a child custody plan for emergencies, please contact Lebron Law at 321-800-5195 for a consultation. Hablamos español!!