Florida Child Support Calculation Guide

Florida uses an income-shares model to calculate child support, meaning both parents' incomes are combined to determine the child's needs as if the family were still together. The guidelines are codified in Florida Statute §61.30. Whether you're navigating an uncontested or contested divorce, understanding these calculations is essential.

The Income-Shares Model

Unlike percentage-of-income states, Florida's income-shares model considers both parents' incomes:

• Step 1: Calculate each parent's monthly net income
• Step 2: Combine net incomes to find the "minimum child support need" from the statutory schedule
• Step 3: Divide the obligation proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income
• Step 4: Apply adjustments for parenting time and add-ons

Calculating Net Income

Florida's definition of gross income is broad and includes: wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, disability, unemployment, pensions, Social Security, court-ordered spousal support received, rental income, and more.

Allowable deductions to reach net income include: federal/state/local income taxes, FICA or self-employment tax, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement, health insurance premiums (excluding the child), and court-ordered support paid for other children.

The Guideline Schedule

The statutory schedule covers combined monthly net incomes from $800 to $10,000. Sample values for reference:

• Combined $3,500: 1 child = $738, 2 children = $1,149
• Combined $5,000: 1 child = $1,000, 2 children = $1,551
• Combined $10,000: 1 child = $1,437, 2 children = $2,228

High-Income Cases (Over $10,000)

For combined net income exceeding $10,000/month, add these percentages of the excess to the $10,000-row value:

• 1 child: 5%
• 2 children: 7.5%
• 3 children: 9.5%
• 4 children: 11%
• 5 children: 12%
• 6 children: 12.5%

Estimate Your Florida Child Support

Use our calculator for a preliminary estimate. For official calculations, complete the Florida Supreme Court Form 12.902(e) worksheet.

The Gross-Up Method (Shared Custody)

When a child spends at least 20% of overnights with each parent (≈73 nights/year), Florida requires the "gross-up" method:

• Calculate each parent's base support share
• Multiply each share by 1.5 (the gross-up)
• Weight each grossed-up amount by the other parent's overnight percentage
• The difference is the base transfer amount
• Then add child-care and health costs, allocated by income share

This adjustment recognizes that both parents incur significant costs in shared-custody arrangements.

Add-On Expenses

Florida adds certain expenses to the basic obligation, then allocates by income share:

• Child care: Work-related, job-search, or education-related expenses from licensed providers
• Health insurance: Incremental cost of the child's coverage (presumed reasonable if ≤5% of responsible parent's gross income)
• Uninsured medical: Medical, dental, and prescription expenses not covered by insurance

Credits are given to the parent who actually pays these expenses.

Low-Income Protection

Florida provides a dynamic "self-support reserve." If the obligor's net income is very low, support is capped at the lesser of:

• The obligor's actual share from the guideline schedule
• 90% of the difference between the obligor's net income and the HHS poverty guideline for a single person

Deviation Factors

Courts may deviate from guidelines based on:

• Extraordinary medical, psychological, or educational expenses
• Seasonal or fluctuating income
• IRS dependency exemption and tax credit impacts
• Special needs of the child
• 55% of gross cap: Support cannot force payment of more than 55% of gross income under one order

Deviations up to ±5% need no findings; greater deviations require written justification.

Modification Rules

Florida allows modification when:

• The guideline amount differs by at least 15% or $50/month, whichever is greater
• For DOR-reviewed cases: difference of at least 10% and $25
• A parent fails to exercise timesharing that justified a shared-custody adjustment (retroactive modification allowed)

Key Takeaways

• Income-shares model: Both parents' incomes determine the child's needs
• Guideline schedule: Covers combined net income $800–$10,000; over-cap percentages apply above
• 20% overnight threshold: Triggers mandatory gross-up (multiply by 1.5)
• Add-ons: Child care, health insurance, and uninsured medical allocated by income share
• Low-income cap: 90% of (net income minus poverty guideline)
• Modification: 15% or $50 difference threshold

For more information about Florida divorce processes, see our Florida divorce timeline and filing checklist.