Child support is not optional in Florida. It’s the law. Whether two people were married or not, if they have a child together, both must help provide for that child. Florida courts take this seriously. The law protects children first. That’s the heart of it. Once paternity is established, support follows. The courts don’t care if one parent wants to “let the other off the hook.” A child still needs food. A child still needs a place to sleep. School supplies. Shoes that fit. That’s why Florida makes child support mandatory.
What Florida Law Says About Child Support
Florida Statute 61.30 lays out how child support is calculated. It’s based on income. That means both parents’ earnings matter. The court adds them up and uses a chart to find the correct amount. It also factors in health insurance, childcare costs, and how many overnights each parent has with the child. It’s all math. But it’s math with a purpose. The goal is to make sure the child has the same standard of living in both homes. Imagine a child living like royalty in one house and barely scraping by in the other. That’s what the law wants to avoid. One parent might say, “I give money directly to my kid.” That’s not good enough. If there’s a court order, payments have to go through the state. That way there’s a record. That way no one can say, “I paid,” when they didn’t.
Why You Can’t Waive Child Support
In Florida, parents can’t agree to skip child support. Even if both say they’re fine with it. Even if they write it in a custody agreement. The court won’t accept it. Because the money isn’t for the parent. It’s for the child. The law sees child support as the child’s right. Not the parent’s. That’s a big difference. Let’s say two parents agree to split everything 50/50. They live in the same neighborhood. They share custody equally. Even then, if one earns more, they may still have to pay. It might not seem fair. But that’s how the law keeps things balanced.
What Happens If Child Support Isn’t Paid?
Skipping child support isn’t just wrong. It’s dangerous. The state can come after unpaid amounts. That’s called arrears. They can garnish wages. Suspend licenses. Put liens on property. Even jail is possible in serious cases. It can ruin credit. It can cost more in the long run. All because someone tried to avoid their responsibility. That doesn’t just hurt the parent. It hurts the child. Florida has a system in place to track and enforce payments. The Department of Revenue handles most of it. But sometimes, the courts have to step in. That’s when things get heavy. Judges don’t take kindly to someone dodging their duty.
Looking Back to Look Ahead
Think of it like this. In the early days of our country, parents worked hard to feed their kids. There were no safety nets. If one parent walked away, the other had to beg or go hungry. We’ve come a long way. Now we have laws that say, “You don’t get to walk away.” That’s what child support does. It puts the child first. Every time.
Talk to a Tampa Family Law Attorney Today
Child support laws can feel overwhelming. But they exist to protect what matters most. If there’s confusion about what’s owed or how much is fair, don’t guess. Don’t wait. Speak with a Tampa Family Law Attorney who understands the system and will fight for what’s right. At Buchholz Family Law, we help parents through every step. From filing to enforcement. From negotiation to modification. We’ve seen it all and we’re here to help.
Need help with child support or other custody issues? Call us today at (813) 902-9100 or visit buchholzfamilylaw.com. Your child’s future matters. Let’s protect it together.