Name: Lebron Law, PLLC
Address: 15 S. Orlando Avenue, Kissimmee, FL, 34741, US
Telephone: (321) 800-5195
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Home \ Kissimmee Child Support Lawyer

A Kissimmee child support lawyer helps navigate the complexities of child support agreements and modifications. They advocate for fair support calculations to ensure your child’s needs are met. For professional assistance with your child support case in Kissimmeem FL, contact Lebron Law, PLLC today at (321) 800-5195.

Whether you are paying too much or unsure whether you’re receiving a fair amount, an experienced Kissimmee child support lawyer can help. We know that no two families are exactly the same. Your circumstances will be different from anyone else’s. Because we focus on family law, we have the skills to help you navigate any challenges you encounter.

If you have any questions about your rights and obligations under the law, contact our law offices in Kissimmee, Florida, to schedule a consultation today.

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How Can Lebron Law, PLLC Help With My Child Support Case in Kissimmee, FL?

Most parents want to make sure their kids have the financial support they need. That said, child support is an extremely complex issue. You deserve a child support arrangement that is both reasonable and sufficient to support your child.

Discussions about money can be difficult at the best of times. When divorce is on the table or two parents are in conflict, having an experienced Kissimmee family law attorney in your corner can make a world of difference.

Our team at Lebron Law, PLLC is prepared to help by:

Calculating child support obligations accurately
Ensuring that you understand your legal rights and obligations
Making sure your co-parent’s disclosures are accurate
Using our mediation skills to minimize disruptions and facilitate an amicable agreement
Fighting to enforce an existing court-ordered child support arrangement
Helping with a child support modification
Advocating for you in court and during all hearings

Our Kissimmee family lawyer has helped countless clients like you resolve difficult issues. To learn more about how we can help, call our law firm today.

Overview of Florida’s Child Support Laws

All parents in Florida have a legal obligation to support their children financially.

After a divorce, a judge often orders one parent to pay child support to the parent with primary custody. However, that’s not always the case–especially when parents share equal parenting responsibilities. The court can also impose child support obligations when the parents have never married.

When two parents get along, determining child support obligations can be relatively straightforward. The situation can quickly become complex when emotions are heightened and finances are strained.

One parent, or both parents, can request a child support determination. Once the family law judge issues a child support order, it’s legally binding.

Typically, child support orders are necessary when:

The child’s parents are divorcing
A dispute over paternity arises
The parents have never married
A domestic violence restraining order is in place

Each parent has a duty to financially support their child. That doesn’t mean that each parent’s obligations will be exactly the same. Most often, the two parents are in different positions–whether financially or with respect to physical custody of the child.

Understanding the Duration of a Parent’s Child Support Obligations in Kissimmee

Child support typically lasts until the child turns 18. However, that’s not always the case.

Child support obligations can be extended beyond the child’s 18th birthday if:

The child suffers from a physical or mental incapacity that began before the child turned 18
The child is between the ages of 18 and 19 and is still in high school, yet reasonably expected to graduate before turning 19

In reality, many parents agree to extend child support obligations beyond the child’s 18th birthday. For example, the parents may wish to continue an existing arrangement or reach a new agreement once their child begins college.

How Does the Family Court Determine the Amount of Child Support a Parent Must Pay in Florida?

When the parents can’t agree on child support, the courts will step in and determine the amount that will be paid.

Child support guidelines apply to help the judge calculate the amount of child support that will be awarded.

Under Florida law, the judge considers the following factors:

The net income of the parties
Basic child care expenses, such as health insurance and other necessities
How many children the parent is obligated to support
How much time each parent spends with the child

The baseline child support amount is determined using a formula. However, the judge has the discretion to deviate from the formula slightly when the circumstances justify a change. The judge can vary the amount by 5% more or less than the guideline amount without having to state specific reasons for the deviation. If the deviation is greater than 5%, the judge must state the specific reasons for the deviation in the court order.

Circumstances that the judge may consider include:

Whether one party is obligated to pay spousal support and the amount
The parent’s financial status and ability to pay
Whether the child has any special needs and the associated costs

Note that these laws only apply when the parents cannot agree independently. When parents can agree, the judge may simply finalize an order that reflects that agreement. As in all cases involving children, the relevant consideration will be whether the agreement is in the child’s best interests.

What Factors Are Relevant When Determining a Parent’s Child Support Obligations?

Each parent’s income is really the primary factor that will be relevant in child support cases.

Courts will evaluate each parent’s financial resources, considering:

W-2 wages and income
Self-employment income
Interest income
Disability benefits
Social Security benefits
Workers’ compensation benefits
Rental income
Pension, retirement, and annuity income
Unemployment compensation
Bonuses, tips, and commissions

Again, when the parties are honest, determining child support obligations can be relatively straightforward. However, when one parent tries to hide income or is unemployed, the process becomes much more complicated.

Parents who own their own businesses may be able to manipulate their income to avoid fulfilling their child support obligations–or to obtain additional child support. In some cases, a parent may actively avoid reaching their full earning potential because they know it would increase child support.

It’s critical to have an experienced attorney represent you if you’re struggling to obtain the support your child deserves. Our team at Lebron Law, PLLC will carefully investigate and collect evidence on your behalf. To learn more about how our Kissimmee child support attorney can help you, contact our law firm for a consultation today.

What Happens If Circumstances Change and I Need to Modify a Child Support Order?

We all know that life can change in unexpected ways. Florida law allows parents to petition for modifications to existing child support orders upon experiencing a substantial change in circumstances.

Typically, the required change in circumstances is demonstrated in one of two ways:

One parent’s financial circumstances significantly change, whether because they received a raise, lost their job, or experienced some type of financial windfall

One parent begins spending significantly less time with the child so that the other parent is handling more in terms of parenting responsibilities

The parent requesting the modification must formally petition the court. It’s also the parent’s responsibility to provide evidence about the relevant change in circumstances.

What Can I Do If My Child’s Other Parent Fails to Make Child Support Payments?

Florida courts take failure to satisfy child support obligations very seriously. If your child’s other parent refuses to pay child support, contact a lawyer right away. Our law firm in Kissimmee can help you understand all legal options to enforce their obligations.

Typically, your child’s other parent will first be served with a notice of delinquency. If they still refuse to pay, they can be ordered to appear in court.

Possible penalties for failure to pay child support include:

Requiring the party to satisfy all past-due payments
Garnishing the delinquent party’s wages
Accessing the party’s bank account
Seizing a federal income tax refund or other assets
Contempt proceedings, which can result in jail time and additional financial penalties if the parent willfully refused to provide child support when they had the ability to do so

The punishments and penalties will vary depending on how long the parent has failed to provide support. They also depend on whether the violation is willful or supported by some type of excuse, such as unemployment. However, note that courts also have the authority to require the non-paying party to seek employment.

In reality, it can be extremely difficult to obtain child support payments from a parent who’s simply refusing to pay. It’s critical to have an experienced attorney by your side at every turn. We’re here to help through the entire process. Call to arrange a free consultation today.

Contact an Experienced Kissimmee Child Support Lawyer to Arrange a Case Review

Whether you’ve just filed for divorce or are seeking to modify or enforce an existing child support order, Lebron Law, PLLC is here to fight for you. Having an experienced Kissimmee child support lawyer in your corner can make a world of difference for your family. Get the legal advice you deserve by calling our offices or contacting us online today.