In general, traditional gifts to children do not count towards child support obligations. But it is not that simple, as people can construe what a “gift” is or its purpose in numerous ways. And because it is not that simple, Florida courts have had to examine in...
Child Support
Florida child support: When is income wrapped up like a gift?
It is not unusual for parents of a married adult to give money to the son or daughter or to the couple to help with expenses or for a specific purpose like a down payment on a home or a vacation. Or a grandparent, other relative or friend might do the same. But when a...
Mummies (or daddies)? Who has a leg up in Florida family law?
Are you a Floridian haunted by potential outcomes in your divorce if arrangements in the decree are in accord with historical family roles based on gender? Some of those frightful stereotypes include: Mothers should have custody because they are better at nurturing...
Can parental gifts to a child count towards child support in Florida?
Like so many other questions in Florida family law, the answer is that it depends on the circumstances. Usually, tangible gifts of items like toys or bikes cannot substitute for monetary child support payments, but food and clothing may. For older children, items...
What if my child turns 18 and my ex-spouse still owes child support?
Are you in the situation where your former spouse or the parent of your son or daughter failed to make child support payments they owed that were due before your child reached their 18th birthday? Even if the support obligation ended when your child became an adult,...
Locked up means a locked bank account: If my ex is in jail, how do I get child support?
As one Florida court put it, “The tension between a child’s need for support and an incarcerated parent’s inability to provide such support is unavoidable.” That parent is unable to work much, if at all, yet because of the legal duty of a parent to support their...
Florida child support: It’s more than the guideline formula, part 2
In part 1 of this post, we explained the basics of the Florida child support guidelines – what they are and how they work to set the minimum amount of child support parents need to provide. As we said, the scheduled child support amount is just the beginning. The...
Calculating Florida child support: There’s more than just punching in numbers, part 1
Florida has child support guidelines contained in numerical tables using the combined net income of the parents and the number of children they have. It sounds like you could punch in the numbers and it would spit out the amount of support the children need. Of...
The Law Office of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC represents individuals in Fort Lauderdale in high-asset divorce matters. Daniel Forrest is board-certified family lawyer and mediator serving the South Florida area.
