In Florida, child support is calculated based on the parent’s combined net income and the number of children in the household. The parent who owes child support will pay a percentage of their income to the other parent to help cover the costs of raising their child. 
In most cases, child support covers basic living expenses, educational expenses, medical expenses, and child care expenses.
Read on to learn more about how these costs are divided between parents in Florida.
Basic Living Expenses
These include the costs of food, clothing, and shelter. The laws governing Florida child support state that the parent who owes child support is typically responsible for covering these costs. However, the court may order both parents to contribute to basic living expenses if they agree on a reasonable amount.
Educational Expenses
When a child is enrolled in school, the costs of tuition, books, and other educational materials typically fall on the parents. A court may determine that one parent should pay for all of these expenses or that each parent should contribute a percentage of the costs based on their income.
Medical Expenses
Children require medical care for illnesses, injuries, and routine check-ups. Medical expenses include doctor’s visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and dental care. The parent who has better medical cover could be asked to pay for all of the child’s medical expenses.
For instance, if one parent has a better health insurance plan that covers more of the child’s medical costs, the court may order that parent to pay for all of the child’s medical expenses.
Other Expenses
Child support may also cover other miscellaneous expenses such as extracurricular activities, tutoring, and transportation costs. These expenses are typically divided between the parents based on their income. Child care expenses, for example, may be split based on the number of hours each parent works. Also, child care includes the cost of hiring a babysitter, sending a child to daycare, or paying for enrollment in a day camp.
Other Considerations
There are a few other things to keep in mind regarding child support in Florida. First, the court may order one parent to provide for the child’s health insurance and dental insurance. The court will typically order the parent responsible for these expenses to pay them out of their child support payment.
Second, the court may order that a portion of the child support payments be placed into a savings account for the child’s future education expenses. The court will determine the amount that is placed into the account and how it is used.
Finally, it is important to note that child support payments are typically not tax-deductible for the parent who owes them. However, the parent who receives child support payments can generally claim them as income on their tax return.
To Sum It Up
When it comes to child support in Florida, parents need to know the four expenses that child support covers. If you are going through a divorce or are currently paying or receiving child support, make sure you understand these four areas, so there are no surprises down the road.
And remember, if there are any changes in your situation that could impact your child support payments, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. We want to help all families succeed and provide the best possible life for their children.
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