Family Law · Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices

Florida Child Support Attorney
Establish, Modify, or Enforce.
Your Children’s Financial Security Matters.

Florida’s child support guidelines appear straightforward — but income calculation, imputed income for voluntarily underemployed parents, childcare costs, healthcare expenses, and time-sharing percentages all significantly affect the final number. Joseph Grant handles child support establishment, modification, and enforcement throughout the Treasure Coast with precision and genuine care for your children’s wellbeing.

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Joseph Grant
Joseph Grant
Attorney at Law · FL Bar #97315
13+
Years Florida Family Law
2023
SB 1416 & HB 1301 Reform Expert
4.9★
Google Rating · 260+ Reviews
“Family law cases are some of the most important decisions of your life. You deserve an attorney who treats them that way — and is actually available when you need them.”
Where Child Support Disputes Arise
●Income disputes: one parent hides income, works for cash, or is voluntarily underemployed to reduce support obligations
●Imputation of income: courts can impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on earning capacity
●Childcare and healthcare cost disputes that significantly affect the final support calculation
●Time-sharing percentage disputes: the number of overnights directly affects the support calculation under Florida’s guidelines
●Modification petitions where the other parent claims circumstances have changed to justify reduction in support

What the Evidence Shows —
and Where It Can Be Challenged

Florida’s child support guidelines are not as simple as they appear. The calculation depends on accurate income figures from both parents — and one of the most common disputes in child support cases is whether the income reported is the actual income earned. Voluntarily underemployed parents, parents who work for cash, and parents who own businesses can all manipulate their apparent income to reduce support obligations. Exposing that manipulation requires thorough financial investigation.

Joseph Grant handles child support cases at every stage — initial establishment, modification when circumstances change, and enforcement when the other parent simply isn’t paying. He approaches every matter with the understanding that child support is not about winning a legal argument; it is about ensuring that your children have the financial resources they need from both parents who are responsible for them.

⚖️ Florida Child Support Law
Florida child support is governed by Florida Statute §61.30 (Income Shares guidelines). Key elements: Net income: gross income minus allowable deductions (taxes, existing support obligations, health insurance, etc.). Basic support obligation: from the statutory table based on combined income and number of children. Adjustments: healthcare insurance, childcare costs, and overnights (time-sharing percentage). Deviation: courts may deviate from guidelines with written findings; deviation of 5% or more requires written justification. Imputation: Florida Statute §61.30(2)(b) allows income to be imputed to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents based on earning capacity. Modification threshold: substantial change that would result in 15%+ change in support amount.
Florida Statute §61.30 (Child Support Guidelines) · Florida Statute §61.13 (Parental Responsibility) · Florida Statute §61.1301 (Income Deduction Orders)

How We Fight This Charge

Income Investigation
We obtain tax returns, bank records, business financials, and employment records to establish accurate income for both parents — not just what is self-reported.
Income Imputation
When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, we present evidence of their earning capacity and request that the court impute income at the appropriate level.
Accurate Cost Documentation
Childcare costs, health insurance premiums, and extraordinary child expenses all affect the calculation. We document every qualifying expense accurately and completely.
Time-Sharing Coordination
Because the overnights calculation directly drives the support number, we coordinate child support and time-sharing strategy to achieve the right outcome on both fronts.
Modification Petitions
When income changes significantly, we file modification petitions promptly to adjust support in our client’s favor before the difference becomes a significant arrearage.
Enforcement
When the other parent doesn’t pay, we pursue all available enforcement tools simultaneously — income deduction, license suspension, contempt — to compel compliance.
Notable Results
ESTABLISHED
Child Support · Business Owner · Income Properly Calculated · Full Obligation
MODIFIED
Support Increased · Other Parent’s Income Imputed · Voluntary Underemployment Found
ENFORCED
Arrears Collected · Contempt Motion · Income Deduction Order Entered

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case details available upon request.

Common Questions

Child Support Attorney FAQ

How is child support calculated in Florida? +
Florida child support is calculated using the Income Shares Model under Florida Statute §61.30. The calculation begins with both parents' combined net monthly income and the number of children. The guidelines table provides a basic support obligation. This amount is then adjusted for health insurance costs, child care costs, and the number of overnights each parent has with the child. The final amount is allocated between the parents in proportion to their respective incomes. Significant deviations from the guidelines require written findings.
Can child support be modified in Florida? +
Yes. Florida child support orders can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered — typically defined as a change of 15% or more in the support amount that would result from recalculating under the current guidelines. Common grounds for modification include a significant change in either parent's income, a change in the child's healthcare or childcare costs, a change in the time-sharing schedule, or a change in the child's needs. Modification requires filing a petition with the court.
What happens if a parent doesn't pay child support in Florida? +
Florida provides multiple enforcement mechanisms for unpaid child support: income deduction orders that garnish wages directly; driver's license suspension; professional license suspension; passport denial; contempt of court proceedings that can result in incarceration; seizure of tax refunds and lottery winnings; and reporting to credit bureaus. The Florida Department of Revenue also provides child support enforcement services for qualifying cases. An attorney can pursue all available enforcement remedies simultaneously.
Is child support taxable income in Florida? +
No. Child support payments are not taxable income to the recipient and are not tax-deductible by the payer under federal and Florida tax law. This is different from alimony arrangements entered before December 31, 2018. The tax treatment of child support is fixed by federal law and does not change based on state agreements or court orders.
Related Practice Areas
Child Custody
Time-sharing percentages directly affect Florida child support calculations.
Divorce
Child support is established or modified in conjunction with divorce proceedings.
Alimony
Alimony and child support are both income obligations addressed in dissolution proceedings.
Free Consultation · 24/7

Child Support Issues?
Your Children Deserve
Accurate, Enforced Support.

Whether you are establishing support for the first time, modifying an outdated order, or enforcing one that isn’t being paid, Joseph Grant handles it with precision and genuine care. Call (772) 888-8888.

(772) 888-8888 PSL: (772) 236-5203 Free Online Consultation

Free initial consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Florida Bar Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.20 apply.