Child Support Lawyer in Sarasota

Counseling-Informed Child Support Guidance Backed by More Than 20 Years in Family Law

Child support questions often arise alongside divorce, time-sharing disputes, income changes, or missed payments. At Boeller Law, P.A., we help parents understand the financial information and Florida legal standards that may affect an initial order, a modification request, or enforcement of an existing obligation.

Our child support representation is focused on the details that matter to each family, including both parents’ net income, the time-sharing schedule, health insurance, and child-care costs. We serve parents throughout Sarasota and surrounding Southwest Florida areas, including Sarasota County, Manatee County, and Charlotte County.

Contact our child support attorney in Sarasota at (941) 315-8598 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Is Child Support Mandatory in Florida?

Yes, child support is mandatory in Florida. A parent’s financial support is the child’s legal right under Florida law, which means that parents can’t waive their obligation to pay it.

A support order may establish the payment amount, paternity, health insurance responsibilities, and the allocation of other medical expenses. Depending on the circumstances, an order may be established or changed through an administrative process or a court proceeding. Legal guidance can be especially important when parents disagree about income, paternity, time-sharing, or the terms of a proposed order.

Do You Have to Pay Child Support with 50/50 Time-Sharing?

Even when parents split physical custody 50/50, a parent may still owe child support. Florida child support guidelines generally consider the parents’ respective net incomes, allowable expenses, and the number of overnights assigned to each parent. Complete financial records are important because a shared schedule can produce a support obligation when the parents have different incomes or allowable child-related costs.

Can You Go to Jail for Unpaid Child Support in Florida?

Falling behind on child support doesn’t automatically become a felony after a fixed number of months or at a specific arrears amount. Enforcement depends on the proceeding, the available remedies, and the court’s findings. In a civil contempt matter, incarceration for willful nonpayment requires findings that include the parent’s present ability to pay the amount ordered.

A parent whose financial circumstances have materially changed may need to pursue a formal modification. The existing obligation generally remains enforceable until it’s changed through the appropriate legal process.

How Florida Child Support Is Calculated

A Florida child support guideline calculation may consider:

We use Florida’s child support guidelines to estimate the amount a parent may pay or receive. Because the result depends on complete financial information and any legally permitted adjustments, we explain both the estimate and the factors that could change it.

The guideline amount is generally presumed to be appropriate, but Florida law permits deviations when legally relevant factors make that amount unjust or inappropriate. We review the financial information behind the calculation, explain how the figures were reached, and identify issues that may require additional evidence or legal argument.

What Happens If You Marry Someone Who Owes Back Child Support?

If you marry someone who owes back child support in Florida, you are not automatically responsible for their debt. However, your spouse’s child support obligation may affect your household finances.

For example, your spouse may have wages withheld to pay current support or arrears. License-related remedies or passport restrictions may also affect travel, employment, and daily responsibilities. Before combining finances, it’s important to understand the existing support order, the unpaid balance, and any active enforcement proceedings.

Child Support Modifications & Enforcement

A significant change in income, employment, health insurance, child-care costs, the child’s needs, or the time-sharing arrangement may support a request to change child support. We assist clients in gathering documentation and presenting information supporting an appropriate adjustment through modifications.

Enforcement becomes necessary when a parent doesn’t comply with an existing support order. We advise parents about available agency and court remedies, payment records, arrears disputes, and the documentation needed to show what has or hasn’t been paid. Parents facing enforcement can also obtain guidance about their obligations and available legal responses.

Family Mediation for Child Support Disputes

Mediation gives parents an opportunity to discuss child support, time-sharing, health insurance, and child-care costs outside an adversarial hearing. Any agreement must still comply with Florida law and may require court approval before it becomes enforceable.

Founding Attorney Sara Sawyer Boeller is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator and holds a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. This background informs our counseling-aware approach to financially and emotionally difficult discussions. When negotiated resolution is appropriate, we help parents work toward legally sufficient terms while remaining prepared to address disputed issues in court.