As always, our first piece of advice is to contact and retain an attorney that you trust. In Florida, child support is not a right of the parent; it is a right of the child. Each parent has a legal obligation to provide for their minor child or children. Child support ensures that the child’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, and safety, are met and allows the child to benefit from both parents’ success and good fortune. The court will determine child support based on a formula that takes into account the child custody agreement, the net income of the parents, daycare costs, and additional specified expenses.
If your ex-spouse fails to pay child support, there are multiple ways the Florida Department of Revenue may ensure owed payments are met and future payments are received. Your ex-spouse may have their driver’s license or passport suspended; they may be held in contempt of court, or their bank account may be seized. If your ex-spouse is found in contempt of court, the judge may see fit to order them to pay your attorney’s fees. There are numerous ways child support may be enforced, so it is imperative that you discuss your unique situation with an attorney who can guide you through the process and find the best solution for you and your family.
There is no statute of limitations on the enforcement of child support, and retroactive child support may be issued for up to twenty-four months of separation before the divorce.
The law requires child support to be paid in full and on time. If you or a loved one is a victim of that law being broken, do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with Platt Cole Russell & Simpson PLLC Attorneys at Law PLLC. Our Melbourne child support enforcement attorneys will fight for you as a parent, and for your children and your family. Call our office at 321-725-3425.
