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Child Support Law in Florida

This page covers child support law as it applies in Florida — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what child support protects generally, see the national overview.

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Quick answer

Florida law requires both parents to financially support their children, with support amounts set by a statewide formula based on both parents' incomes under Chapter 61 of the Florida Statutes. You can open a case with the Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Program at no cost for most services, or file a petition in circuit court. Some deadlines are short—for example, you have only 60 days to rescind a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity—so acting quickly matters if you have any concerns.

Laws that govern child support in Florida

Florida state law

  • Child Support GuidelinesFla. Stat. § 61.30

    Establishes the income shares formula used to calculate child support amounts and governs retroactive support awards.

  • Support for Children; Parenting and Time-SharingFla. Stat. § 61.13

    Governs when support orders are entered, when support terminates, health insurance requirements, and standards for modification.

  • Enforcement and Modification of Support OrdersFla. Stat. § 61.14

    Authorizes courts and the Florida Department of Revenue to modify child support orders when the financial circumstances of either party change substantially.

  • Income Deduction OrdersFla. Stat. § 61.1301

    Requires automatic income deduction (wage withholding) in every child support order and sets employer compliance timelines.

  • Determination of Parentage — Voluntary AcknowledgmentFla. Stat. § 742.10

    Establishes the legal effect of a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity and the 60-day window within which it may be rescinded.

  • Title IV-D Child Support Enforcement — Administrative ProceedingsFla. Stat. § 409.2564

    Governs the Florida Department of Revenue's authority to establish, modify, and enforce child support orders through administrative processes.

Browse all of Florida’s statutes →

Federal law

Florida-specific deadlines for child support cases

Enter the date your problem happened to see which deadlines may already have passed. Not every deadline applies to every situation — this is a general estimate, not legal advice. Deadlines can be shorter, paused, or extended.

  • Deadline to rescind a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity: 60 days

    After the 60-day window closes, a signed acknowledgment can be challenged in court only by proving fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. Act quickly if you have any doubts about whether a paternity acknowledgment is correct.

    Fla. Stat. § 742.10(1)

  • Maximum lookback period for retroactive child support: 24 months before the support petition is filed

    A court may award past-due support going back up to 24 months before the date the petition was filed. Support owed for periods more than 24 months before filing generally cannot be recovered, making it important to file promptly.

    Fla. Stat. § 61.30(17)

  • Deadline to contest an income deduction (wage withholding) notice: 15 days

    If you believe the amount stated in a delinquency notice is incorrect, you must apply for a hearing within 15 days. Missing this window can result in your employer beginning withholding before any dispute is resolved.

    Fla. Stat. § 61.1301(2)(c)(1)

  • How often the Florida Department of Revenue must review a support order in a state-handled case: At least once every 3 years, upon request

    Either parent in a Florida Department of Revenue case may request a review every three years. Under Florida Statutes § 61.14(1)(d), if the recalculated guideline amount differs from the current order by at least 10 percent (minimum $25), the Department may seek a modification without requiring proof of a separate substantial change in circumstances.

    Fla. Stat. § 409.2564(11)(a)

These deadlines are general estimates. They can be shorter than they appear, and can be paused (“tolled”) or extended in specific situations. This is not legal advice. If any deadline is near or has passed, talk to a lawyer right away.

Where to go & how to get help

Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for child support in Florida.

How to take action in Florida

  1. 1

    Establish legal paternity if the parents were not married

    If the parents were not married when the child was born, legal paternity must be established before a court can order child support. This can be done by signing a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity at the hospital, through the Florida Department of Revenue, or through a court proceeding under Florida Statutes Chapter 742.

  2. 2

    Apply for services through the Florida Department of Revenue or file in court

    The Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Program provides free or low-cost help establishing, collecting, and enforcing support orders. Alternatively, you may hire a private attorney and file a petition directly in Florida circuit court.

  3. 3

    Learn how the support amount is calculated

    Florida uses the income shares model under Florida Statutes § 61.30: both parents' monthly net incomes are combined, applied to a guidelines table, and then split proportionally. A judge may deviate from the guidelines for reasons such as extraordinary medical expenses, a child's special needs, or significant differences in parenting time.

  4. 4

    Make sure the order includes automatic wage withholding

    Florida law requires every new child support order to contain an income deduction provision directing the paying parent's employer to send payments automatically. This applies in almost all cases and reduces the risk of missed or late payments.

  5. 5

    Request a review if your financial situation changes

    Either parent in a Florida Department of Revenue case may ask for a review of the support amount at least once every three years. In other cases, you may file a motion in court showing a substantial change in circumstances, such as a major income change or a shift in parenting time.

  6. 6

    Use enforcement tools if payments are not being made

    The Florida Department of Revenue can garnish wages, intercept state and federal tax refunds, suspend driver's and professional licenses, place liens on property, and seek a court contempt order against a parent who is not paying as ordered.

A general roadmap, not legal advice — the right steps depend on your situation and deadlines.

Common questions about child support in Florida

How is child support calculated in Florida?

Florida uses the income shares model under Florida Statutes § 61.30. Both parents' monthly net incomes are added together and matched against a guidelines table that sets a base support amount for the number of children involved. Each parent's share is then proportional to their contribution to the combined income. A judge may adjust the amount up or down for reasons such as extraordinary medical costs, a child's independent income, or significant parenting-time arrangements.

When does child support end in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes § 61.13, child support generally ends when the child turns 18. Support continues until age 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school and is making a good-faith effort to graduate before turning 19. Support also ends earlier if the child becomes legally emancipated, marries, joins the military, or dies.

What can I do if the other parent is not paying child support?

You can report the non-payment to the Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Program, which can take enforcement actions including wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, suspension of licenses, property liens, and contempt proceedings. Income deduction orders—which direct money straight from an employer's payroll—are the most common and automatic enforcement tool in Florida.

Can a child support order be changed after it is entered?

Yes. Under Florida Statutes § 61.14, either parent may ask the court to modify the amount if there has been a substantial change in circumstances—such as a significant income change, a change in the child's needs, or a major shift in parenting time. In cases handled by the Florida Department of Revenue, a review may also trigger a modification without requiring proof of a separate substantial change if the recalculated amount differs enough from the current order.

Does paternity have to be established before a parent can get child support?

Yes, if the parents were not married at the time of the child's birth, legal paternity must be established first. Florida Statutes Chapter 742 allows this through a voluntary acknowledgment form, an administrative process through the Florida Department of Revenue, or a court proceeding. Once paternity is legally established, a support order can be entered.

What is the Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program and is it free?

The Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support Program is the state agency responsible for helping parents establish paternity, set up support orders, collect and disburse payments, and enforce orders when a parent does not pay. Most services are free; an annual fee of up to $35 may apply in cases where the family has never received public assistance. The program serves every Florida county.

Can parents agree to waive child support entirely?

No. In Florida, child support is a right that belongs to the child, not to the parents, so one parent cannot waive it on the child's behalf. A court reviewing a private agreement that eliminates child support is likely to reject it as contrary to the child's best interests. Both parents remain legally obligated to support their child regardless of any private agreement between themselves.

Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.