Overwhelmed With Back-To-School Costs? When Your Ex Fails to Pay for Agreed-Upon Child Expenses in Fort Lauderdale

As Fort Lauderdale families head into another busy back-to-school season, many parents find themselves juggling not only supply lists and extracurricular sign-ups but also frustration when an ex refuses to pay their share of agreed-upon child expenses. From soccer team fees to orthodontist bills, these costs add up quickly, and when one parent doesn’t follow through, the other is left covering more than their fair share.

If you’re in this situation, you may wonder: How can I enforce our agreement? The good news is that Florida law gives you options for holding your ex accountable and ensuring your child’s needs get met.

Shared Expenses and Fort Lauderdale Parenting Plans

Section 61.13 of the Florida Statutes dictates how child support payments are determined. Parenting plans and child support orders may include provisions for dividing certain costs beyond basic support.

There are a wide range of expenses vital to your child’s well-being and development that should be shared between you and the other parent:

• School-related expenses, including uniforms, supplies, lab fees, and tutoring;
• Extracurricular activities, including school-sponsored sports and other programs;
• Medical expenses not otherwise covered, such as co-pays, dental care, and orthodontics;
• Transportation expenses related to school or parenting time;
• Childcare costs not previously factored into the main support order.

When your ex refuses to contribute, it not only causes financial stress. It can create tension that your child may sense during what should be a positive and supportive time in their life.

Steps to Enforce Fort Lauderdale Child Support Payments For Agreed-Upon Expenses

The court takes failure to comply with financial obligations seriously. If your ex consistently refuses to pay, there are steps you can take to protect your rights. These include:

• Save receipts, invoices, and communication regarding expenses.
• Send a formal written request and document your demand for payment before escalating further.
• Ask the court for help in holding the other parent accountable for failing to follow a Broward County child support order.
• Seek reimbursement through the Florida Department of Revenue, which may include wage garnishment and seizure of assets, including tax returns and government benefits.
• If you prevail, you can request payment of any legal fees you incur while pursuing enforcement efforts.

Showing the court you’ve acted reasonably and kept thorough documentation strengthens your case. It also increases the likelihood of swift enforcement, ensuring your child has what they need to thrive.

Talk to Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Support Lawyer About Enforcing Shared Expenses

Back-to-school should be about new beginnings for your child, not financial battles with your ex. If you’re dealing with unpaid extracurricular, school-related, or other expenses, you don’t have to carry the burden alone.

At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, we help parents throughout Broward County enforce existing support orders and take enforcement actions to get the total amount you need and your child deserves. Call or contact us online today. Request a consultation to talk with our experienced Fort Lauderdale family lawyer.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13.html

floridarevenue.com/childsupport/Pages/default.aspx