Boca Raton Child Support Lawyer
Here to help with child support issues.
Boca Raton Child Support Attorney
Per Florida Law, every parent has the legal obligation to financially provide for their child’s care, maintenance, training, and education. Each parent retains this obligation regardless of whether they are married, divorced, or single.
This legal obligation seems pretty straightforward, but you’d be surprised at how complicated child support issues can get.
If you’re currently attempting to establish a child support order or you’re about to get placed on one, then it’s a good idea to hire a Boca Raton child support lawyer to help with the process.
A good lawyer will be your best legal advocate. They’ll make sure your rights get upheld throughout the process, and they’ll ensure that you’re treated fairly when it comes to payment amounts.
Contact the Boca Raton child support lawyers at Braaten Law today for a free case consultation.
Learn more about Florida’s child support laws and how they apply to you as a parent in Boca Raton below.
Establishing Paternity in Boca Raton
Before you address child support concerns, it’s important to establish paternity. If a child was conceived during a marriage, then paternity is assumed by the law. If the child was conceived outside of marriage, then action will need to take place first to establish legal paternity. Both parents can sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity form when the youngster is born, or the father can seek out a DNA test to prove paternity.
Understanding Florida’s Child Support and Child Custody Laws
Once paternity is established, courts will immediately focus on establishing a child custody arrangement and a child support order. Per Florida law, both parents have specific obligations and rights. Courts will attempt to put these orders in place based on what’s best for the child. The child’s wellbeing is considered above everything else. Per Florida law, each child has a legal right to get financial support from their parents.
Boca Raton Child Support Attorney
If you are in need of a Boca Raton child support attorney, Braaten Law is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential case consultation.
What Do Child Support Payments Cover?
The child support Boca Raton, FL offers should cover a child’s basic necessities including:
- Food
- Clothes
- Expenses related to education
- Medical costs
- Entertainment, activities, and hobbies
How Will Boca Raton Courts Determine a Child Support Amount?
So, how do courts determine how much is an appropriate child support amount? Courts will use Florida’s Child Support Guidelines and each parent’s financial situation to determine how much support is warranted. Courts will also take into account each parent’s custody rights and the number of children each parent needs to support.
If you and your spouse share equal parenting time, then the non-custodial parent will likely still need to pay support to the other parent. It is very rare that courts will not include a support order because it’s not common for both parents to have equal custody and have the exact same income levels.
Shared custody arrangements are the most common. First, Boca Raton courts will determine how much child support payments would be required via the state’s Guidelines. Then, they’ll determine what each parent would be obligated to provide. From there, courts will determine each parent’s share based on each party’s monthly income and the combined income of both. Finally, courts will look at the custody arrangement to make a final decision. If each parent has 50% custody, then each parent will be 50% financially responsible for their share of the support.
How to Make Child Support Payments
Have you been ordered to make child support payments to your former partner? If so, then it is very important not to simply pay that party cash and call it a day. You need proof that you made your payments to avoid further conflict. Plus, getting proof of your payments protects your own interests because failing to pay your child support payments could lead to significant consequences under Florida family law.
We advise making payments through the child support office in Boca Raton. That way, you can get a clear receipt that proves you made your payment in full and on time.
What Happens if You Miss a Child Support Payment in Florida?
So, what happens if you do end up missing a child support payment in Florida? If you’ve only missed one payment, then it shouldn’t be too much of an issue to simply make the payment and move forward. If you show a pattern of non-payment, though, then things can get pretty serious. Failing to make your payments is considered violating a court order, which is a crime.
In other words, you could face both criminal and civil consequences if you don’t pay. Unlike other types of debts, child support debt can never get erased or discharged. You’ll be held responsible for those payments forever until you make them. If you genuinely can’t afford your payments, then it might be in your best interests to petition the courts for a Boca Raton child support modification order. This could reduce (but not eliminate) your payments.
Get More Child Support Answers From a Boca Raton Child Support Attorney
If you have more questions about child support orders in Boca Raton, then we advise speaking one-on-one with a lawyer. They’ll be able to give you specific legal advice that you can feel confident acting on.
Are You Ready to Hire a Boca Raton Child Support Lawyer?
If you’re facing a child support issue here in Boca Raton, then we advise hiring the best Boca Raton child support lawyer you can. Once you do, you can have all your legal questions answered. You can also experience greater peace of mind knowing that your attorney will fight to ensure your wishes are heard.
Unfair child support arrangements can cause conflict in an already tense situation. If you and your former partner are constantly in conflict over child support, visitation, and obligation-related issues, then we want to help you put some plans into writing. Once the two of you are bound by a court support plan, you can reduce the conflict and focus on what’s most important: your child.
If you’re ready to speak with a child support attorney in Boca Raton Florida, then we’re ready to help. Contact us now to discuss your situation in detail.
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Boca Raton Child Support FAQs
Can my spouse and I waive child support?
No! Child support is the right of the child, not the right of the parents. Parents cannot contract away their child’s right to support.
What does child support cover in Florida?
Child support covers basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. It also covers things like education, sports, and activities. Child support may cover travel or fun too. The court will make sure a parent has health insurance for the child too.
How long does the child support process take?
It takes a while to get a child support order. This is because the process depends on many things, like how much information you can provide and how cooperative everyone is. There are also some things that can delay the process, like successfully locating and then serving the parent who owes support. You can help speed things up by cooperating fully.
What is the minimum child support in Florida?
The minimum child support in Florida is $50 per month. This amount may be increased or decreased, depending on the specific case. The calculation of child support takes into account both the gross and net monthly income of both parents. Factors that can affect the amount of child support due each month include the number of children involved, the type of income earned by each parent, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child.
What age does child support stop in Florida?
In Florida, child support usually ends when the child turns 18 years old. But if the child is still in high school, support can continue until the child turns 19. If the child has special needs, support may be extended past 19 years of age.