When Fort Lauderdale Child Support Payments Fail To Cover Your Child’s Costs

Raising children is expensive, and in South Florida, it is especially so. If your Broward County child support order no longer covers what your children actually need, you’re not alone, and you’re also not without options.

Florida law allows courts to revisit support amounts when circumstances have significantly changed. Our experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer explains factors the court considers when calculating payments and what you need to know about requesting modifications.

The Reality of Raising Children in Fort Lauderdale Today

Broward County consistently ranks among the most expensive places in Florida to raise a family. Housing costs, childcare, health insurance, school-related expenses, and everyday necessities have all climbed significantly in recent years, and a Fort Lauderdale child support order set two or three years ago may not reflect what it actually costs to meet your children’s needs today.

Under the Florida Statutes (Section 61.30), the Broward County Family Court calculates child support payments based on both parents’ incomes, factoring in food, clothing, housing, and other costs to reach a reasonable monthly amount. However, other common expenses that frequently push costs beyond what a current Broward County child support order covers include:

• Health insurance and out-of-pocket medical, dental, and prescription costs;
• Childcare and after-school care;
• Private schools and tutoring costs;
• Extracurriculars, sports, and recreational programs;
• The cost of taking the child to school or traveling between the parents’ homes.

If you find yourself struggling to meet your child’s needs, requesting modifications to your Broward County child support order may be necessary.

Requesting Child Support Modifications in Fort Lauderdale

The Broward County Family Court does not automatically adjust child support payments to keep up with the high cost of living. To increase your current order, you need to file a petition and demonstrate a substantial change in your circumstances.

Fortunately, a genuine increase in your child’s needs or a meaningful change in either parent’s income can satisfy that threshold. Steps to take when requesting child support modifications in Fort Lauderdale include:

• Document your current monthly child-related expenses, including receipts, invoices, and account statements.
• Get proof of increases in childcare, health insurance, or school-related costs.
• Document any increase in the other parent’s income through pay stubs, tax returns, or business records.
• If the Florida Department of Revenue is involved in your child support case, contact them about a review, as their modification threshold is lower than the standard required when parents file independently.

If your current situation is causing immediate financial hardship, our experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer may be able to request temporary relief while modifications are pending.

Consult Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Support Lawyer Today

With the increasingly high cost of living, your current Broward County child support order may no longer meet your child’s needs. At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, our experienced Fort Lauderdale child support lawyer can advise you on your rights in requesting modifications.

To get the total amount you and your child are entitled to, call or contact us online and request a consultation today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html

floridarevenue.com/childsupport/change_support_orders/Pages/change_support_orders.aspx