{"id":372529,"date":"2018-05-18T05:42:41","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T10:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-child-support-modifications.html"},"modified":"2025-03-05T15:01:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T20:01:29","slug":"florida-child-support-modifications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-child-support-modifications.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida Child Support Modification Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Florida Child Support Modification Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When parents separate or divorce, they typically negotiate a child custody agreement. This agreement, or parenting plan<\/a>, dictates which parent will ultimately pay child support.<\/p>\r\n

Sometimes, parents agree on custody<\/a> without the help of a family law attorney. Other times, they go to court, where a judge decides custody. Either way, once the parents resolve their custody issues, they must determine child support.<\/p>\r\n

When the judge issues a child support order<\/a>, it can remain in place until the children reach adulthood. Of course, this rarely happens. Circumstances change, and there’s a chance the parents will change custody, which, in turn, will change the amount of child support.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we will explain how to request a child support modification<\/a> under Florida’s child support law. We will also discuss how the Florida courts decide whether to grant your request for more (or less) support.<\/p>\r\n

How Do the Courts Determine Child Support in Florida?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Ideally, parents will agree on which party will pay child support<\/a> and how much the payments will be. If this isn’t possible, the parties must go to court, where a judge will determine child support.<\/p>\r\n

Federal law requires that every state maintain child support guidelines. According to Federal Regulation Title 45 \u00a7302.56<\/a>, each state must publish its child support guidelines at least once every four years. Like 40 other states, Florida uses an income-shares model<\/a> to determine child support.<\/p>\r\n

Under this model, children should get the same proportion of their parents’ income they had while their parents were together.<\/p>\r\n

Florida’s child support calculations<\/a> depend on a host of factors, including:<\/p>\r\n