How Florida calculates child support
- The calculation starts from each parent’s monthly net income from the financial affidavit: gross income minus taxes, FICA, mandatory union dues and retirement, the parent’s own health insurance, and court-ordered support actually paid for other children or a spouse.
- The parents’ combined net income and the number of children give the minimum need from the schedule in section 61.30(6), which has been in its current form since January 1, 2011. Above $10,000 a month, a percentage of the income over $10,000 is added.
- Child care, the children’s health insurance and noncovered medical costs are added and shared by income percentage; each parent gets credit for what they actually pay.
- When each parent has at least 20% of the overnights (73 a year), the basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5, each parent’s share is multiplied by the other parent’s percentage of overnights, and the parent who owes more pays the difference.
What the calculator asks
- How many children is the support for?
- How many overnights a year will the children spend with you?
- Your net income per month
- The other parent’s net income per month
- Child care you pay each month for these children
- Child care the other parent pays each month for these children
- Health insurance you pay each month for these children
- Health insurance the other parent pays each month for these children
- Noncovered medical, dental and prescription costs you pay each month for the children
- Noncovered medical, dental and prescription costs the other parent pays each month
- Does a child receive Social Security benefits because of a parent’s retirement or disability?
It never asks for names, Social Security numbers or account numbers, and your answers are not saved.
What the estimate leaves out
- Deviations the court may make, including for time-sharing under 20% of overnights and for support above 55% of gross income (section 61.30(11)(a))
- Calculating net income from gross income (enter the net income from your financial affidavit)
- Social Security benefits the child receives because of a parent (section 61.30(10)(b))
- Combined net income under $800 a month, or a paying parent with net income under $800, where support is set case by case
- Children with different time-sharing schedules
When a situation is outside what the calculator covers, it says so and points you to the official worksheet instead of guessing.
Official sources
- F.S. 61.30, Child support guidelines (2026 Florida Statutes)
- CS/HB 907 (2010), ch. 2010-199, Laws of Florida: current schedule and the 20% time-sharing threshold, effective January 1, 2011
- Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (06/25)
Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Form 12.902(e) (Florida Courts) →
Ready to estimate? The calculator shows each worksheet line so you can check it against the official form.
Open the Florida calculator →An estimate from the published guideline formula, not a prediction of a court order. The official court worksheet and the court’s decision control. General information, not legal advice. LawCat is not a law firm.