Florida child support calculator: how the math actually works

Last updated 2026-07-09

What formula does Florida use to calculate child support?

Florida runs the Income Shares Model. The logic is plain: a child should get roughly the same slice of combined parental income they'd have gotten if the family stayed intact. Both parents' net incomes add together. The statutory schedule turns that combined number into a base support figure. Then each parent covers a share proportional to what they earn.

The governing statute is Florida Statute § 61.30, titled 'Child support guidelines; retroactive child support.' ^[1] It has been amended several times, most recently to refresh the income schedule. The schedule starts at a combined net income of $800 per month and runs past $10,000 per month. The table value climbs with income and with the number of children.

This differs from what a state like Iowa does. Iowa uses a percentage-of-income model that looks only at the paying parent's income. Florida pulls both parents in. If you've been searching for a child support calculator that works everywhere, stop and find a Florida-specific tool. The inputs and outputs are genuinely different.

The court treats the guideline amount as a rebuttable presumption. A judge can deviate, but only with written findings that explain why the deviation fits the child's best interest. Any deviation of more than 5% needs those written findings. ^[1]

What counts as income for Florida child support purposes?

Florida defines income broadly. Section 61.30(2)(a) lists wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, allowances, overtime, tips, and other earnings. It also pulls in business income, disability benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment, pension or retirement benefits, Social Security, rental income, interest and dividends, and royalties. ^[1]

If a parent is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed, the court can impute income based on recent work history, occupational qualifications, and prevailing local earnings. That's a big deal in contested cases. In an uncontested divorce where both parents agree on the income figures, the imputation fight rarely surfaces. You still have to disclose every source honestly on the financial affidavit.

Net income, not gross, feeds the formula. To get from gross to net, Florida allows deductions for federal and state income taxes, FICA and Medicare, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement deductions, health insurance for the parent (not the child), and court-ordered support for other children. ^[1] Start with your gross, subtract each allowable deduction, and the net is what you plug into the guidelines.

Here's what people miss. If you're self-employed, net income is gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses, then adjusted again by the tax and retirement deductions. Your Schedule C bottom line is a starting point, not the answer.

How do you use the Florida child support calculator step by step?

The Florida Courts self-help center at flcourts.gov posts a free child support guidelines worksheet that mirrors what judges use. ^[2] Here's how to work it by hand so you understand what the calculator is doing.

Step 1: Calculate each parent's monthly net income. Start with gross monthly income, then subtract the allowable deductions above. Be precise. A $200 swing in net income can move the guideline amount $30 to $60 per month depending on where you land on the schedule.

Step 2: Add both net incomes together. That's your combined net monthly income.

Step 3: Look up the base obligation. The statutory schedule in § 61.30(6) gives a dollar figure by combined income and number of minor children. ^[1] As of the most recent schedule update, a combined net income of $4,000 per month for two children produces a base obligation near $1,120 per month. Always verify against the current statute, because the schedule gets updated.

Step 4: Add child-related expenses. Health insurance premiums for the children and work-related daycare get added to the base obligation. ^[1]

Step 5: Allocate by income percentage. Divide each parent's net income by the combined figure to get their percentage share. Multiply that percentage by the total obligation (base plus expenses) to find each parent's share.

Step 6: Apply the overnight credit. If the child spends more than 20% of overnights (73 or more per year) with the paying parent, a second calculation adjusts the number down to reflect that parent's direct costs. The statute calls this the substantial time adjustment. ^[1]

The Florida Courts calculator at flcourts.gov automates steps 1 through 6. Use it. It cuts arithmetic errors, and it produces output that looks familiar to judges and mediators.

What is the Florida child support guidelines income schedule?

The schedule is a table built into § 61.30(6). It lists combined net monthly income in $50 increments and gives a total minimum support obligation for one through six children. ^[1] The table below pulls a sample of values from the statute so you can see the scale.

Combined net monthly income	1 child	2 children	3 children
$2,000	$538	$756	$878
$3,000	$757	$1,063	$1,237
$4,000	$934	$1,310	$1,524
$5,000	$1,082	$1,518	$1,766
$6,000	$1,228	$1,722	$2,003
$8,000	$1,477	$2,072	$2,409
$10,000	$1,681	$2,358	$2,743

These figures show the statute's scale. Verify against the current statutory text or the court calculator before you rely on any single number, because the Florida Legislature updates the schedule periodically. ^[1]

For combined net incomes above the top of the schedule, the court sets support by percentage: 5% of combined net for one child, 7.5% for two, 9.5% for three, 11% for four, 12% for five, and 12.5% for six or more. ^[1]

For combined net incomes below the schedule's floor, the court is not required to order the minimum if either parent's net income sits at or below the federal poverty level. For 2024, the federal poverty level for a single person is $15,060 a year, or $1,255 a month. ^[3]

How does shared custody or parenting time affect the Florida calculation?

Florida draws a real line between two levels of parenting time. If the child spends fewer than 73 overnights a year with the paying parent (under 20%), the basic calculation applies with no overnight adjustment. Hit 73 or more overnights, and you run a separate substantial time formula that lowers the obligation to reflect the direct costs the paying parent covers during those nights. ^[1]

The substantial time calculation multiplies the base obligation by 1.5, then multiplies that by each parent's time-sharing percentage, then nets the two figures against each other. It sounds complicated. It is. The Florida Courts calculator does it automatically once you enter each parent's overnights. ^[2]

Here's why it matters day to day. At 50/50 time-sharing, the overnight adjustment can cut the transfer payment sharply compared to a 90/10 split, even when incomes are identical. Parents building a parenting plan in an uncontested divorce often run the calculator under a few overnight scenarios before they sign anything. That gives you real numbers to argue over instead of guesses.

The 73-night threshold is a hard floor. If the paying parent has 72 overnights, the substantial time adjustment does not apply. Courts have held that line even when 72 versus 73 looks arbitrary. ^[1]

What adjustments can raise or lower the guideline amount?

Several things move the final number away from the raw guideline figure.

Health insurance premiums for the children get added to the base obligation before the income-percentage split. If one parent carries the children on an employer plan, that premium gets shared proportionally. ^[1]

Work-related childcare, meaning daycare or after-school care that lets a parent work, gets added the same way. Pay $800 a month in daycare, and that amount drops into the pool and splits by income percentage. ^[1]

Net child support from other relationships already in place can be deducted from a parent's gross before the net income calculation, which lowers that parent's contribution to the combined total.

The court can deviate from the guideline if it finds the amount unjust or inappropriate. Section 61.30(11) lists factors a court may weigh, including the child's extraordinary medical, psychological, or educational needs, seasonal swings in a parent's income, the age of the child, and payments for the children's health or life insurance. ^[1] A judge cannot deviate just because both parties want a different number. The deviation has to serve the child's best interest, and the court has to put the reasoning in writing.

No automatic cost-of-living adjustment is built into a Florida support order. When circumstances change materially, either parent files a Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support to change the number. The standard is a 'substantial change in circumstances,' which generally means at least a 15% or $50 change in the guideline amount, whichever is greater. ^[1]

How do you file child support paperwork in a Florida divorce?

In an uncontested divorce with children, you don't file for child support on its own. The support amount goes straight into your marital settlement agreement and parenting plan, which become part of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage.

Both parents file a Family Law Financial Affidavit. Florida Family Law Form 12.902(b) is for parties earning under $50,000 a year. Form 12.902(c) is for parties earning $50,000 or more. ^[4] These are mandatory. You can't skip them even in an uncontested case. The affidavit is where the income figures that feed the guideline calculation come from.

You also file the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(e). ^[4] That's the formal version of the step-by-step math above. Your settlement agreement should reference the worksheet and state that the agreed support amount equals the guideline calculation, or intentionally deviates from it with reasons stated.

Filing fees for a divorce with minor children are set by the clerk of court. Most Florida counties charge around $408 to file a petition for dissolution of marriage with children, though it varies slightly by county. ^[5] Check your county clerk's website for the exact figure.

For people handling an uncontested divorce with children on their own, the divorce papers and parenting plan forms take the most time to get right. DivorceClear's $149 document packet includes the financial affidavit, guidelines worksheet, and parenting plan forms pre-populated from your answers, which removes the formatting errors that get filings bounced.

Florida's self-help resources for pro se filers are genuinely good. The Florida Courts self-help center at flcourts.gov has every approved form and county-specific filing instructions. ^[2]

Can parents agree to a different child support amount than the guideline?

Yes, with a catch. Parents can agree to more than the guideline with no trouble. Courts routinely approve agreements where parents choose to pay above the calculated minimum.

Parents can also agree to less than the guideline, but only if the court signs off. The judge reviews the settlement agreement and has to be satisfied the agreed amount fits the child's best interest. In practice, if the deviation is small (say 5% or less), both parents clearly understand the gap, and they've tied their reasons to the child's needs, judges in uncontested cases often approve it without comment.

What you cannot do is waive child support entirely because you and your spouse agree to. Child support belongs to the child, not the parent. A parent cannot sign away a child's right to support. A court will not approve a settlement that sets support at zero absent truly extraordinary circumstances.

When your incomes and custody arrangement are straightforward, the guideline figure is usually the smoothest path in an uncontested case. Agree to the guideline amount and the judge has no reason to scrutinize your numbers, which speeds approval.

How does Florida child support compare to other states like Iowa?

Florida's Income Shares Model is used by most U.S. states. Iowa's model differs in a way that changes the result: Iowa uses a Percentage of Income formula that counts only the paying parent's income, not both parents combined. ^[6]

Under the Iowa system, the non-custodial parent pays a fixed percentage of net income: 17% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, and 40% for five or more. ^[6] The Iowa child support calculator at the Iowa Judicial Branch website applies these percentages and adjusts for shared care. If you want the child support calculator Iowa families use, it's at iowacourts.gov.

The practical difference is real. In Florida, a high-earning custodial parent lowers the other parent's obligation, because their income raises the combined total and their own percentage share goes up with it. In Iowa, the custodial parent's income is irrelevant. That's exactly why you can't use a general or multi-state calculator for a Florida case. The inputs are built differently.

Both states allow deviations for extraordinary circumstances, and both treat the formula amount as a rebuttable presumption rather than a rigid mandate. Courts in both states take deviations seriously and expect written justification.

If the parents live in different states, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) decides which state's formula applies. Usually it's the state where the child lives. ^[7]

What happens if a parent doesn't pay Florida child support?

Once the court enters a support order, payment usually routes through the Florida State Disbursement Unit (FLSDU), which processes payments, distributes them, and keeps the records. ^[8] Income withholding (direct deduction from the paying parent's paycheck) is automatic in Florida unless the court specifically waives it.

When a parent falls behind, the overdue amount is called arrears. Florida does not cap how far back arrears can pile up. The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) Child Support Program is the enforcement agency, and its tools are broad: income withholding, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's, professional, even hunting and fishing), passport denial, contempt proceedings, and credit bureau reporting. ^[9]

A parent more than 15 days late on a payment can face enforcement through the DOR. The paying parent carries the burden to prove any payment made. Cash payments with no documentation are almost impossible to prove.

If circumstances have genuinely changed (job loss, disability, income drop), file a Supplemental Petition to Modify right away instead of just stopping payment and hoping for an informal handshake. Arrears that pile up before a modification order is entered are generally not forgiven retroactively by Florida courts.

For a wider look at how courts handle post-divorce financial obligations, the alimony piece on this site covers the enforcement framework that parallels child support.

How do you modify a Florida child support order?

Either parent can file a Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support when there's been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order. Florida defines 'substantial' as a change producing at least a 15% or $50 per month difference in the guideline amount, whichever is greater. ^[1]

Common triggers include a big raise or pay cut, job loss, a parent remarrying and taking on new dependents (though a new spouse's income does not automatically enter the formula), a material change in a child's health needs, or a shift in the time-sharing arrangement.

The modification process looks a lot like the initial divorce filing. Both parents file updated financial affidavits, run a fresh guidelines worksheet, and either agree on the new amount (which the court approves) or litigate it.

Modification is not retroactive to the day circumstances changed. It runs from the date you file the petition. That's why moving fast matters. Every month you wait to file is a month of arrears at the old rate that you can't undo.

Florida also allows reviews every three years when either parent asks, even without proving a substantial change. ^[1] The DOR Child Support Program can start these reviews for families in the DOR system.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum child support in Florida?

Florida's statutory schedule starts at a combined net monthly income of $800. At that floor, the base obligation is roughly $170 per month for one child, though the exact figure depends on the current schedule in § 61.30(6). Courts can go below the schedule if either parent's income sits at or below the federal poverty level, which for 2024 is $15,060 a year for a single person.

Does Florida child support automatically end at 18?

Generally yes. Florida support ends when the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later, but not past age 19. ^[1] There's an exception for children with a physical or mental incapacity that began before age 18, where support can continue past 18. Parents can also agree in a settlement to extend support through college, but a court cannot order that on its own.

Does a new spouse's income affect Florida child support?

No. A new spouse's income is not included in the calculation. Florida's formula uses only the biological or adoptive parents' incomes. If a new spouse's income lets a parent cut their own work hours voluntarily, a court might consider income imputation in that context. The new spouse's income itself stays off the table.

How do self-employment income and cash income get handled in the Florida formula?

Self-employment income for Florida child support is gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses, then adjusted for taxes and retirement deductions like any other income. Cash income has to be disclosed on the financial affidavit. Courts take unreported cash seriously; if a parent's lifestyle doesn't match reported income, a judge can impute income. Hiding cash income is perjury on the affidavit.

Can I use an online Florida child support calculator before filing?

Yes, and you should. The Florida Courts self-help center at flcourts.gov posts a free online guidelines calculator that mirrors the statutory formula. Use it before filing to gauge the likely number, run different time-sharing scenarios, and check whether your proposed agreement lands in the right range. Third-party calculators exist, but the official court version is the one judges and mediators recognize.

What is the Florida child support guidelines worksheet form number?

The official form is Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. You file it alongside your Family Law Financial Affidavit (Form 12.902(b) or 12.902(c), depending on income level) in any dissolution of marriage case involving minor children. All these forms are free at flcourts.gov.

How does 50/50 custody affect child support in Florida?

In a true 50/50 arrangement (182 or 183 overnights each), Florida applies the substantial time formula. Each parent's obligation is calculated, then offset against the other. If incomes are equal, the transfer payment may land near zero. If incomes differ a lot, the higher earner still pays the lower earner the difference. The court calculator handles this once you enter equal overnights.

Can Florida parents agree to no child support in an uncontested divorce?

No. Child support cannot be waived by agreement between parents. The right belongs to the child, not the parent, and a court will not approve a settlement setting support at zero without extraordinary circumstances. Parents can agree to deviate below the guideline with court approval, but a complete waiver is off the table regardless of mutual consent.

How long does it take for a Florida child support order to go into effect?

In an uncontested divorce, child support takes effect when the judge signs the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. If you're in a hurry, you can request a temporary support order (through a Motion for Temporary Relief) while the divorce is pending, which takes effect when the court enters the temporary order. Temporary orders end when the final judgment issues.

What is the difference between Florida's formula and the Iowa child support calculator formula?

Florida uses the Income Shares Model, which combines both parents' net incomes and splits the obligation proportionally. Iowa uses a Percentage of Income Model, which applies fixed percentages (17% for one child, 25% for two, and so on) only to the paying parent's income. The custodial parent's income never enters Iowa's formula. Results can differ substantially even at similar income levels.

Does child support in Florida cover college tuition?

Not automatically. Florida courts cannot order parents to pay college tuition as part of a support order once the child is 18 or has graduated high school (up to 19). Parents can voluntarily agree in a settlement to contribute to college costs. That contractual obligation is enforceable even though a court could not have ordered it.

How does Florida handle child support if a parent lives in another state?

The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), adopted by Florida in Chapter 88, Florida Statutes, governs cross-state cases. Generally, the state where the child lives has jurisdiction to establish and modify the order. If one parent lives in Iowa and one in Florida, the state with the child sets the formula. Enforcement can happen in either state through UIFSA mechanisms.

Sources

1. Florida Legislature, Florida Statute § 61.30, Child Support Guidelines: Florida uses the Income Shares Model; both parents' net incomes combine; base obligation comes from the statutory schedule; substantial time threshold is 73 overnights; deviation requires written findings; substantial change for modification is 15% or $50, whichever is greater; support ends at 18 or high school graduation not past 19
2. Florida Courts Self-Help Center, flcourts.gov: Florida Courts provides a free online child support guidelines calculator and all approved family law forms
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines: 2024 federal poverty level for a single person is $15,060 annually
4. Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Forms, flcourts.gov: Financial Affidavit forms 12.902(b) and 12.902(c) and Child Support Guidelines Worksheet 12.902(e) are mandatory in all dissolution cases with minor children
5. Florida Courts, Clerk of Court Filing Fees: Most Florida counties charge approximately $408 to file a petition for dissolution of marriage with minor children
6. Iowa Judicial Branch, Child Support Guidelines: Iowa uses a Percentage of Income formula applying fixed percentages (17% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, 35% for four, 40% for five or more) to the paying parent's net income only
7. Florida Legislature, Chapter 88 Florida Statutes, Uniform Interstate Family Support Act: UIFSA governs jurisdiction and enforcement of child support orders when parents live in different states
8. Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Program, Florida State Disbursement Unit: Child support payments in Florida are processed through the Florida State Disbursement Unit (FLSDU); income withholding is automatic unless the court waives it
9. Florida Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Tools: Florida DOR enforcement tools include income withholding, tax refund interception, license suspension, passport denial, contempt, and credit bureau reporting