Arnelle Strand, P.A.

Child support is normally paid to the person who has a substantial or majority of the parenting time with the child(ren).  If the parties have equal time, then the parent with the greater income may pay some amount to the other parent.  Unlike alimony, child support is non-tacable to the person receiving it, and is not deductible to the person paying it.  However, the person paying child support may negotiate for, or be awarded the tax exemptions for the children for federal tax purposes.  The amount of child suppport ordered is generally established by applying the "Child Support Guidelines" which were established by the Florida Legislatiure.  The amount of child support depends on the respective income of each parent.  Child Support may be automatically deducted from any employed persons paychecks, whether or not the payor has ever defaulted in the past.  Day care, health insurance premiums and medical care expenses may also be added to the child support obligation.

Child support obligations in Florida usually terminate upon the child attaining the age of majority (18), however, if the child is still in high school, but will gradfuate prior to their 19th birthday, child support would continue until graduation from high school.

The parent paying child support, may be required to carry life insurance for the benefit of the children to secure the child support obligaiton.