Four Corners Child Support Attorney

Clear Guidance For Florida Child Support Issues

Child support affects everything from your monthly budget to your child’s day-to-day stability. When you live in the Four Corners area, and you are facing a new support case, a modification, or unpaid support, it can feel like you have more questions than answers. A child support lawyer can help you sort through the issues and protect what matters most.

At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, we work with parents across the communities around Four Corners who are trying to do right by their children and also keep their own finances afloat. Some are worried the amount will be too high, others are concerned it will not be enough to meet a child’s needs. Many are confused about what Florida law actually requires.

Our firm brings over 40 years of combined legal experience to these situations, along with a deep understanding of how family courts in Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Polk counties handle child support. We respond quickly when you reach out, explain your options in plain language, and build a structured plan so you know what comes next.

Call (888) 835-5840 to schedule a consultation with our Four Corners child support lawyer.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a court-ordered financial obligation paid by one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising a child. In Florida, both parents are legally required to support their children financially, regardless of marital status. Child support is intended to ensure that a child maintains a standard of living as close as possible to what they would have had if the parents lived together.

Child support typically covers basic living expenses such as:

• Housing and utilities
• Food and clothing
• Health insurance and medical expenses
• Educational costs
• Childcare expenses
• Other necessary costs related to the child’s care

Our Four Corners child support lawyer can help ensure that support orders are fair, accurate, and reflective of each parent’s financial circumstances.

Florida Child Support Laws

Florida child support laws are governed primarily by Florida Statutes §61.30, which establishes statewide child support guidelines. These guidelines are designed to promote consistency and fairness in support awards across the state.

Key principles of Florida child support law include:

• Both parents share responsibility for financially supporting their child
• Support amounts are based on each parent’s income and time-sharing schedule
• The child’s best interests are always the top priority
• Child support obligations generally continue until the child turns 18, or 19 if still in high school

Florida courts follow the guideline amount unless there is a valid reason to deviate.

How The Court Determines Child Support in FL

Florida courts use a standardized formula to calculate child support, but each case is unique. Several factors are considered when determining the final support amount, including:

Income of Both Parents

The court reviews each parent’s gross monthly income, including wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and certain benefits.

Time-Sharing Arrangement

The number of overnights each parent spends with the child significantly affects child support calculations. Parents with substantial time-sharing may pay less support.

Health Insurance & Medical Costs

The cost of health insurance for the child and uninsured medical expenses are factored into the support order.

Childcare Expenses

Necessary childcare costs related to employment or education are included in the calculation.

Other Relevant Factors

In certain cases, the court may consider special needs of the child, extraordinary educational expenses, or other relevant circumstances.

Our Four Corners child support attorney from The Law Offices of Justin Rickman can review financial documents, ensure accurate calculations, and advocate for a fair result.

Modifying Child Support Orders in Florida

Child support orders are not always permanent. Florida law allows for modifications when there is a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances, such as:

• Job loss or significant income change
• Change in time-sharing arrangement
• Increased medical or educational expenses
• Disability or illness

If you believe your current support order no longer reflects your situation, a Four Corners child support lawyer can help you pursue a modification or defend against an unfair request.

Enforcing Child Support in Four Corners, FL

When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, enforcement actions may be necessary. Florida provides several enforcement options, including:

• Wage garnishment
• Driver’s license suspension
• Tax refund interception
• Contempt of court proceedings

Our team can assist parents seeking enforcement while also helping those accused of nonpayment address legitimate financial hardships.

Child Support FAQs

How long does child support last in Florida?

In most cases, child support continues until the child turns 18, or 19 if the child is still in high school and expected to graduate before age 19.

Can child support be waived?

Generally, child support cannot be waived because it is considered the child’s right, not the parents’. Courts rarely approve agreements that eliminate support entirely.

What if the other parent is self-employed?

Self-employed income can be more complex to calculate. A Four Corners child support lawyer can help uncover true income through financial records and forensic analysis if needed.

Can child support be modified without going to court?

No. Any change to a child support order must be approved by the court to be legally enforceable.

Why Parents Choose Our Firm

Parents who speak with us are often under pressure. They may have just been served with papers, be facing an upcoming hearing, or be trying to support a child without reliable payments. We step in to bring order and clarity to that chaos. From our first meeting, we walk you through possible outcomes so you can make decisions with your eyes open.

Our attorneys have more than four decades of combined experience, including a founder with over 20 years in practice and a litigator who spent nearly a decade in the public defender’s office. That background gives us real courtroom capability when child support hearings become contested, income is disputed, or enforcement actions are on the table.

Contact us today for more information about our firm.