Co-Parenting In Fort Lauderdale: Does Equal Time Eliminate Child Support?
When divorced or separating parents in Fort Lauderdale agree to a 50/50 child time-sharing arrangement, many assume that child support is no longer necessary. After all, if both parents are spending equal time with the children, shouldn’t they be equally responsible financially?
While this may seem logical, Florida’s child support laws take a more complex view. If you’re considering a co-parenting plan or already have one in place, working with an experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer can help clarify your rights and responsibilities.
Determining Child Support In Fort Lauderdale When Parenting Duties Are Split 50/50
In calculating child support in Fort Lauderdale, the Broward County Family Court relies on the “Income Shares Model.” Under the Florida Statutes, family court judges factor in each parent’s earnings, the number of overnight stays the children have with them, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other financial factors.
Even when time is split 50/50, one parent may still have to pay. Common situations where child support is still required despite equal time-sharing:
- One parent earns substantially more than the other.
- One parent pays little or no out-of-pocket for health insurance or extracurriculars.
- The parenting plan includes frequent exchanges, increasing one parent’s travel burden.
- One parent fails to fully utilize their scheduled time with the children.
- The cost of living in each household is significantly different.
It’s important to note that the formula used to calculate child support in Florida is not optional; Broward County Family Court judges must follow the statute unless there’s a compelling reason to deviate.
Co-Parenting? How To Protect Your Rights To Child Support In Fort Lauderdale
Whether currently negotiating a Florida parenting plan or already in a co-parenting situation, it’s important to be aware of your rights to child support and how your individual financial picture factors into the equation.
Our experienced Fort Lauderdale child time-sharing and support lawyer is here to help and can make sure the numbers used in your case are accurate and fair. Ways to protect your financial security on your own include:
- Keep records of visits and overnight stays as evidence of actual parenting time, which may deviate from your court order.
- Request a child support worksheet to review how the court calculated your obligation.
- Ensure your income and the other parent’s income are correctly reported.
- Calculate shared expenses, such as school supplies, activity fees, and recreational costs.
- Ask about credits or adjustments for paying health insurance or covering the majority of expenses.
To Protect Your Financial Security When Co-Parenting, Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Support Lawyer
Equal time-sharing does not automatically cancel out the need for child support in Fort Lauderdale. Whether negotiating a parenting plan, modifying a current order, or navigating enforcement issues, get legal guidance from someone you can trust to protect you and your child’s financial security.
Vanessa L. Prieto helps Broward County parents in child time-sharing and support negotiations, ensuring their rights are protected. To get the support your child is owed, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html
flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Office-of-Family-Courts/Family-Court-in-Florida/Family-Law-Forms/Parenting-Plan-12.995-Forms-A-C
