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Are you a parent in Duval County, Clay County, Nassau County, St. Johns County, Baker County, or Putnam County, Florida, navigating child support after a divorce or separation? Whether you live in Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Macclenny, or Palatka, understanding how Florida child support laws apply to your situation is essential to protecting your child’s financial future.
At Cooper & Cooper, P.A., we help families across Northeast Florida understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to child support. In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ How Florida courts calculate child support
✅ Who pays child support in Florida
✅ How income, custody, and expenses affect support payments
✅ What happens if a parent fails to pay
✅ How to modify or enforce a child support order in Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Baker, or Putnam County courts
What Are Florida Child Support Laws?
Florida child support laws are designed to ensure both parents contribute financially to their child’s basic needs. These include:
✔ Housing & utilities
✔ Food & groceries
✔ Clothing & personal items
✔ Medical care & insurance
✔ Educational expenses
✔ Extracurricular activities
Florida law requires both parents to provide financial support, whether they are married or not.
How Do Florida Courts Calculate Child Support?
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Florida follows a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet to calculate support amounts based on:
✅ Each parent’s income (wages, bonuses, self-employment, disability, etc.)
✅ The number of children involved
✅ Time-sharing schedules and overnight stays
✅ Health insurance costs (medical, dental, vision)
✅ Childcare expenses (daycare, babysitting, etc.)
✅ Other education and special needs expenses
Courts in Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Baker, and Putnam Counties use this method to ensure fair and consistent outcomes.
Who Pays Child Support in Florida?
Typically, the non-custodial parent (fewer overnight stays) pays child support to the custodial parent (primary caregiver).
Even in equal custody situations, support may still be required if one parent earns significantly more.
How Does Custody or Time-Sharing Impact Child Support?
Florida courts consider how many overnights each parent has with the child:
✔ More overnights = Lower support obligation
✔ Equal time-sharing = Support may still apply due to income disparities
Custody and time-sharing schedules heavily influence the final child support figure.
What Happens If a Parent Doesn’t Pay Child Support in Florida?
Courts in Florida enforce child support obligations through penalties such as:
🚨 Wage garnishment
🚨 Driver’s license suspension
🚨 Seizure of bank accounts or tax refunds
🚨 Property liens
🚨 Contempt of court (possible jail time)
Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Baker, and Putnam County courts take child support enforcement seriously.
How to Modify Child Support in Florida
A parent may file to modify support if there’s a substantial, unexpected change in:
✔ Income (increase or decrease)
✔ Custody or time-sharing
✔ Child’s medical or educational needs
File with the court in the county where the order was issued or where the child lives.
How Long Does Child Support Last in Florida?
Support typically ends when the child:
✔ Turns 18 or graduates high school before age 19
✔ Is emancipated
✔ Has a qualifying special need (support may extend beyond age 18)
Does Child Support Apply to Unmarried Parents in Florida?
Yes. Unmarried parents are still legally obligated to support their child. Paternity must be established if the father is not on the birth certificate, either voluntarily or by court order.
Key Takeaways: Florida Child Support Requirements
✅ Parents must financially support their child
✅ Support is based on income, custody, and expenses
✅ Non-custodial parents usually pay support
✅ Equal time-sharing doesn’t always eliminate support
✅ Legal consequences apply for unpaid support
✅ Modifications are available if circumstances change
Location-Specific Child Support FAQs
Q: Do judges in Clay County follow the same guidelines as Duval County when calculating child support?
A: Yes. All Florida counties follow the statewide Child Support Guidelines, but judges in each county—including Clay and Duval—may interpret financial situations slightly differently based on local case law and discretion.
Q: Can I file to enforce a child support order in Putnam County if the other parent moved out of state?
A: Yes. Putnam County courts can still enforce an existing Florida child support order, even if the other parent now lives in another state, through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).
Q: I live in Macclenny (Baker County). Do I need to go to court in Jacksonville (Duval County) for a modification?
A: No. You will file your modification request in Baker County, where your original order was entered or where your child currently resides.
Q: Are there child support enforcement resources available in St. Augustine or St. Johns County?
A: Yes. The Florida Department of Revenue provides child support enforcement services in St. Johns County, including assistance with wage garnishment, payment tracking, and contempt actions.
Q: How long will child support continue if my child in Nassau County has special needs?
A: In Nassau County—and throughout Florida—child support may continue beyond age 18 if the child has physical or mental special needs and cannot become self-supporting.
Need Help with Child Support in Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Baker, or Putnam County?
📌 Meet the attorneys at Cooper & Cooper, P.A.
Whether you’re seeking to calculate child support, modify an existing order, or enforce payments through the court, Cooper & Cooper, P.A. provides compassionate, strategic legal guidance for families throughout Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Baker, and Putnam Counties, including Jacksonville, Middleburg, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, Macclenny, and Palatka.
We understand the local court systems, including the Fourth Judicial Circuit, the Seventh Judicial Circuit, and the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and we’re here to advocate for your child’s best interests at every stage.
📞 Call (904) 717-2327 for a FREE 30-minute consultation
🌐 Visit us online at: coopercooperpa.com