Florida Child Support Calculator

Estimate Florida child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under Fla. Stat. § 61.30. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Florida follows the Income Shares model under Fla. Stat. § 61.30. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

Parenting time changes the Florida number through the Substantial Time-Sharing Adjustment under Fla. Stat. 61.30(11)(b). That adjustment kicks in only when each parent has at least 20% of the overnights, which is about 73 nights per year. Once you cross that threshold, the formula accounts for the cost of caring for the child in two homes and generally reduces the paying parent's amount. Below 73 nights, your share of overnights does not change the guideline result.

Florida treats the children's health and dental insurance premium as an add-on to the basic support obligation, not as a deduction the paying parent simply keeps. The cost of covering the children is added to the basic amount from the guideline schedule, and the total is then prorated between the parents by their percentage share of combined net income. The parent who actually pays the premium typically receives credit for it in the final calculation.

Reasonable work-related child care and daycare costs are added to the basic obligation in Florida, the same way the children's health insurance is handled. Under Fla. Stat. 61.30, these care costs are combined with the basic guideline amount and then split between the parents in proportion to each one's share of the combined net income. To count, the child care generally needs to be reasonable and tied to a parent's employment, job search, or training.

The guideline number is presumptively correct, but a Florida judge can order more or less after making written findings that the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate. Fla. Stat. 61.30 lists reasons a court may consider, such as a child's special needs, extraordinary expenses, or the impact of time-sharing. The parent asking the court to depart from the guideline carries the burden of showing why the deviation is justified, and the court must explain it in the order.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Florida?

Florida uses the Income Shares model under Fla. Stat. 61.30. The court first combines both parents' monthly incomes. Each parent starts from gross income from nearly any source, then subtracts allowable deductions like taxes, FICA, mandatory retirement, union dues, and health insurance for the parent, which produces net monthly income. The combined net income and the number of children are matched to the state's guideline schedule to find the basic support obligation. That obligation is then prorated between the parents by each one's percentage share of the combined income, with add-ons for the children's health insurance and child care. The on-page tool is an estimate only, not legal advice.

Is there an official Florida child support worksheet I have to use?

Yes. Florida requires a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, and the Florida Family Law Forms maintained by the courts are the controlling forms a judge actually relies on. You can find them through the Florida Courts family law forms page, and the Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Program also provides guidance. Any calculator on this site, including ours, is built to mirror Fla. Stat. 61.30, but it only gives you an estimate to help you prepare. The official worksheet, the statute, and a licensed Florida attorney control the real number, so always confirm your figures against the official form before relying on them in court.

How do overtime, bonuses, and self-employment income count in Florida?

Florida defines income broadly under Fla. Stat. 61.30. Gross income includes salary, wages, overtime, bonuses, and commissions, along with business income from self-employment, rental income, royalties, disability, workers' compensation, unemployment, pensions, Social Security, trust income, annuities, and interest. For a self-employed parent, income generally means gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses, not personal spending dressed up as a business cost. Because bonuses and overtime can swing, courts often look at a realistic average rather than one unusual paycheck. This calculator can only estimate, so document all income sources and confirm the treatment with a Florida attorney.

Does 50/50 time-sharing change child support in Florida?

It can, but equal time does not automatically erase support. Florida applies the Substantial Time-Sharing Adjustment under Fla. Stat. 61.30(11)(b) once each parent has at least 20% of the overnights, roughly 73 nights a year, which a 50/50 schedule easily meets. Even with equal time, if one parent earns more, that parent usually still pays something, because the Income Shares formula is driven by the gap in incomes as well as overnights. The adjustment lowers the paying parent's amount to reflect the cost of two homes. Our estimate applies this logic, but the official worksheet controls the final figure.

Can a Florida court assign income to an unemployed or underemployed parent?

Yes. Under Fla. Stat. 61.30, a Florida court can impute income to a parent it finds is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, so a parent cannot dodge support by quitting or taking a low-paying job on purpose. The court looks at the parent's recent work history, education, qualifications, and the prevailing earnings in the community for similar work, then calculates support as if the parent earned that amount. Imputation does not apply when the lack of income is genuinely beyond the parent's control. Because this is fact-heavy, a Florida attorney can help you present or challenge an imputed-income claim, and this tool only estimates.

When does child support end in Florida?

Florida child support normally ends when the child turns 18. It extends to age 19 if the child is still in high school full-time and is reasonably expected to graduate before turning 19. Support does not automatically stop the day the child turns 18 if a younger sibling is still covered, since the order may need recalculation. A dependent adult child whose disability began before age 18 may receive continuing support under Fla. Stat. 743.07. If you think an order should end or be adjusted, file in circuit court rather than simply stopping payments, and confirm timing with a Florida attorney.

How do I modify a Florida child support order?

Either parent can ask to change support by filing a Supplemental Petition for Modification in the circuit court, or by requesting an administrative review through the Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Program. The standard threshold under Fla. Stat. 61.30(1)(b) is a substantial change that produces at least a 15% or $50 per month difference between the current order and a fresh guideline calculation. Job loss, a new income level, changes in time-sharing, or new child care costs are common triggers. Until a judge signs a new order, the existing one stays in force, so keep paying. This calculator can help you estimate whether you cross the threshold.