Calculate child support using Florida's income shares model with substantial time-sharing adjustments
Free calculator based on official Florida Statutes § 61.30. Get accurate estimates including 20% time-sharing threshold adjustments (73+ overnights).
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*This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Every family's situation is different. Always consult a licensed Florida family law attorney before making decisions about child support.* ---
Florida uses a method called the **Income Shares Model**, which is based on the idea that a child should receive the same share of both parents' combined income they would have received if the family lived together. The state has a published schedule that looks up a "Basic Support Obligation" — the estimated monthly cost of raising the child — based on both parents' combined monthly income and the number of children. That amount is then divided between the parents in proportion to each one's income. The parent who spends fewer nights with the child typically pays their share to the other parent. ---
Florida has a broad definition of income. It includes wages, salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, tips, self-employment earnings, rental income, Social Security benefits, disability payments, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, pension distributions, interest, dividends, and even spousal support you receive from a previous relationship. **What is generally not counted:** Public assistance payments (like Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF) and child support you receive for other children. If a parent is working less than they could be — or not working at all voluntarily — a court may "impute" income to them based on their earning capacity, education, and work history. ---
The standard calculation gives each parent a share of the support obligation based on their income. The parent who spends fewer nights with the child pays their share to the other parent. **If both parents have significant time with the child**, Florida law has a special formula. When each parent has at least **73 overnights per year** (about 20% of the year), a different calculation applies — the total support amount is multiplied by 1.5 to reflect the cost of running two households, and then each parent's share is further adjusted based on how many nights the child actually spends with them. This often results in a lower payment than the standard formula because both parents are absorbing more of the day-to-day costs directly. ---
There is no set minimum monthly dollar amount in Florida. However, if the parents' combined income is below $800 per month, a special low-income rule applies (see below). There is no hard maximum, but Florida's schedule only goes up to $10,000 in combined monthly net income. Above that level, a formula is used to extend the calculation — the guideline amount continues to grow, just at a specified percentage of the excess income. Florida courts may also consider whether the calculated support would exceed **55% of the paying parent's gross income**. If it does, that can be grounds for the court to adjust the amount, though it requires a written explanation. ---
Add-ons are costs on top of the basic support amount that are automatically included in the calculation: - **Child's health insurance premium** — The cost of covering the child (not the parent's own coverage) is added to the total support obligation and split between parents proportionally to their incomes. The parent who actually pays the premium gets a credit for that payment. - **Work-related childcare costs** — If a parent pays for childcare so they can work or go to school, those costs are added and split the same way. The parent who pays gets a credit. - **Uninsured medical, dental, and prescription expenses** — Costs not covered by insurance are shared proportionally based on each parent's income. Educational expenses (private school tuition, for example) are not automatically included — those require a separate court decision. ---
Yes. Either parent can ask the court to modify child support if there has been a **substantial change in circumstances**. In Florida, a change is generally considered substantial if it would result in at least a **15% or $50 difference** in the monthly payment (whichever is greater). Common reasons include a significant change in income, a change in the parenting schedule, or a change in the child's needs. Changes are generally effective from the date the modification is filed with the court, not the date the change actually happened. In some cases, courts can order support back up to 24 months before the filing date. ---
Child support typically ends when the child turns **18**. There are exceptions: - If the child is still in **high school at age 18** and is expected to graduate, support can continue until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. - If the child has a **disability** that prevents them from becoming self-supporting, the court may order support to continue indefinitely. - If the parents have a written agreement incorporated into the court order that extends support (for example, through college), that agreement is enforceable. Florida does not require parents to pay for college or post-secondary education unless they have voluntarily agreed to do so in a court order. ---
If the parents' combined monthly net income is below **$800**, Florida uses a special low-income calculation. The court still uses the minimum schedule amount as the starting point, and the lower-income parent's share is calculated normally from that floor. However, there is a cap — the amount owed cannot exceed 90% of what remains after the paying parent subtracts the federal poverty guideline from their income. This is meant to protect a parent from being ordered to pay more than they can reasonably afford while still providing something for the child. If the paying parent's income is itself below the poverty line (about $1,304/month for a single person in 2025), the poverty cap does not apply — the normal proportional share of the floor amount is still owed. ---
Self-employment income in Florida is calculated as **business revenue minus ordinary and necessary business expenses** — not necessarily what shows up on a tax return. Courts frequently look carefully at business expenses claimed by self-employed parents to make sure only legitimate costs are being deducted. Self-employed parents also pay **both sides of Social Security and Medicare taxes** (called self-employment tax, totaling 15.3%), which is deducted from income before calculating the support obligation. Because self-employment income can be complex and variable, cases involving self-employed parents often benefit from a forensic accountant or attorney assistance. ---
If parents have children together but those children live primarily with different parents (called "split custody"), Florida courts handle this at their discretion on a case-by-case basis. This is a more complex situation where the standard formula may not directly apply without legal guidance. ---
Yes, but there are rules. Courts can deviate from the guideline amount if they have a valid reason. Small deviations (within 5% of the guideline) don't require a written explanation. Larger deviations require the judge to write specific findings explaining why the guideline amount would be unfair or inappropriate in that case. Factors that might lead to a higher amount include special needs, significant medical expenses, or the greater financial needs of older children. Factors that might lead to a lower amount include other financial obligations, limited income, or significant parenting time that doesn't quite meet the 73-overnight threshold. --- *This FAQ is intended to help you understand how Florida's child support system generally works. It does not account for the specific facts of your case. For advice tailored to your situation, please consult a licensed Florida family law attorney.*
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This calculator provides estimates based on Florida state guidelines. Actual court orders may differ based on individual circumstances. Consult with a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.