Florida combines both parents’ income to set a family-wide support number, then splits it based on who earns what. Here’s the process courts follow under Florida Statute §61.30.
Florida’s Income Shares Model
Florida uses the Income Shares Model: courts estimate what parents would spend on their children if the household were still intact, then divide that number between the two parents based on income.
Step 1: Find Each Parent’s Net Income
Income counted includes salary, wages, bonuses, and commissions; self-employment or business income; rental income; and retirement, Social Security, or disability benefits. Allowable deductions to reach net income include taxes, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement contributions, health insurance premiums for the parent, and support already ordered for other children.
Step 2: Use the Guidelines Schedule
Both parents’ net monthly incomes are added together, and the combined figure is matched against the schedule in §61.30(6) to find the state’s minimum support need for that number of children. For combined incomes above $10,000 a month, the court adds a set percentage of the amount over $10,000 — there’s no statutory ceiling.
Step 3: Split It Proportionally
Each parent’s dollar share equals the total minimum need multiplied by that parent’s percentage of the couple’s combined net income. A parent earning 60% of the combined income covers 60% of the baseline obligation.
Adjustments That Change the Math
- Time-sharing gross-up — if a parent has at least 20% of overnights (about 73 nights a year), the base obligation is increased by 50% before it’s split, reflecting the direct costs of that parenting time.
- Health coverage — health insurance premiums and uninsured medical costs are added on top of the base obligation.
- Deviation factors — extraordinary medical, educational, or dental expenses; seasonal income swings; a child’s age; and special needs can all justify moving away from the guideline number.
Estimate Your Florida Child Support
The Child Support Calculator can walk you through Florida’s income-shares math and give you an estimate to compare against a full worksheet.
Official Resources
- Florida Department of Revenue – Child Support Program
- Florida Statute §61.30 (Child Support Guidelines)
- Child Support Calculator (childpaycalc.com)
This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Formulas, percentages, and dollar caps change over time and courts can deviate from the guideline result — confirm current figures with the official resources above or a family law attorney before relying on any number.