How is child support calculated in Florida?
Florida child support is calculated by adding both parents’ net incomes, reading the basic obligation for that combined income and number of children from the § 61.30 schedule, and splitting it by each parent’s share of income. This calculator follows the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Form 12.902(e), which applies § 61.30, Florida Statutes.[1][2]
- Net income. For each parent, gross income minus federal, state and local income tax, FICA or self-employment tax, mandatory union dues and retirement, health insurance (excluding the children’s coverage), and court-ordered support or alimony actually paid (§ 61.30(3)).
- Basic obligation. Look up combined net income and the number of children in the § 61.30(6) schedule.
- Shares. Each parent owes the basic obligation times their share of combined income.
- Add-ons. Child care, the children’s health insurance and noncovered medical costs are added and split the same way; each parent gets credit for what they pay.
- Time-sharing. If each parent has at least 20% of overnights (73 a year), the substantial time-sharing method on lines 10 to 21 is used instead.
Florida child support guidelines schedule
The schedule runs from $800 to $10,000 of combined monthly net income in $50 steps, for one to six children.[1]
| Combined net income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children | 4 children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $340 | $529 | $662 | $746 |
| $2,500 | $547 | $847 | $1,061 | $1,196 |
| $3,500 | $738 | $1,149 | $1,438 | $1,620 |
| $5,000 | $1,000 | $1,551 | $1,939 | $2,188 |
| $7,500 | $1,251 | $1,945 | $2,438 | $2,741 |
| $10,000 | $1,437 | $2,228 | $2,795 | $3,148 |
Above $10,000, the obligation is the $10,000 amount plus 5% of the excess for one child, 7.5% for two, 9.5% for three, 11% for four, 12% for five and 12.5% for six.[1] Below $800 there is no schedule amount; the court sets one case by case. The statute does not say how to read an income between two rows. We use the row at or below the income, as the Legislature’s 2026 review report does.[3]
The schedule has not changed since it took effect on January 1, 2011.[6] The 2026 review recommended a new one, but the 2026 bill to adopt it died in committee, so the 2011 schedule still applies.[3][5]
Substantial time-sharing (73 overnights)
When each parent has the children at least 73 nights 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.[1][2] With net incomes of $3,000 and $4,000, two children and 146 overnights with the higher earner, the result is $484.71 a month, instead of $1,077.14 with 52 overnights.
| Line | What it does |
|---|---|
| 10 | Basic obligation × 1.5 |
| 11 | Line 10 × each parent’s share of income |
| 12 | Each parent’s overnights ÷ 365 |
| 13 | Each parent’s line 11 × the other parent’s line 12 |
| 14–18 | Child care, health insurance and medical costs: each parent’s share minus what they pay (not below 0) |
| 19–21 | Totals for each parent; the larger pays the difference |
Worked example from the Legislature’s review
With net incomes of $1,122 and $1,528 and one child, the schedule amount is $578; the father’s 42% share is $243.[4] Adding $317 of child care paid by the mother and $119 of health insurance paid by the father gives $307. The report rounds shares to whole percents; this calculator uses exact shares, so it shows $244.72 and $310.32.
When a Florida court can order a different amount
A court may vary the guideline amount by up to 5% after considering the case, and by more with a written finding that the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate.[1] Deviation factors in § 61.30(11)(a) include extraordinary medical or educational costs, a child’s independent income, seasonal income, support above 55% of gross income, and time-sharing below 20% of overnights.
How long Florida support lasts and how to change it
Florida child support covers minor children and continues past 18 for a child still in high school who is expected to graduate before turning 19.[1]
- Modification. A difference between the current order and the guideline amount of at least 15% or $50, whichever is greater, is a substantial change that can justify a modification; the Department of Revenue uses a 10% or $25 test in its own reviews.[1]
- Retroactive support. Support can be ordered for up to 24 months before the case was filed, using the current schedule.[1]
- Applying. Parents can ask the Department of Revenue’s Child Support Program to establish, review or enforce an order.[7]
Official Florida worksheet and agency
Florida does not publish an online estimator. The official tool is the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, Form 12.902(e), and the Department of Revenue runs the child support program.[2][7]
- Form 12.902(e) Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
- Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program
- Section 61.30, Florida Statutes
Neighboring Georgia uses gross income and a continuous parenting time adjustment instead; see the Georgia child support calculator. For a side-by-side view of states, read how much child support is, or start over from the child support calculator by state.
An estimate, not an order. The court decides the amount. Not legal advice; see our legal disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is child support in Florida for one child?
It depends on both parents’ net incomes. At $7,000 combined net income the schedule amount for one child is $1,212, and each parent owes their income share of it, plus add-ons such as child care.
How many overnights change child support in Florida?
At least 73 overnights a year (20%) for each parent triggers the substantial time-sharing calculation. Below that, time-sharing can only be a reason to deviate.
Is the Florida child support calculator 2026 different from 2025?
No. The schedule in § 61.30(6) has applied since January 1, 2011, and no change was enacted in 2025 or 2026.
How much does income have to change to modify Florida child support?
The new guideline amount must differ from the current order by at least 15% or $50, whichever is greater, for the difference itself to count as a substantial change.
Does Florida use gross or net income for child support?
Net income: gross income minus taxes, FICA, mandatory dues and retirement, health insurance other than the children’s, and court-ordered support or alimony paid.
Sources
- Section 61.30, Florida Statutes: child support guidelines
- Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, with instructions and guidelines chart
- Quadrennial Review of the Florida Child Support Guidelines (report to the Legislature)
- Review and Update of Florida’s Child Support Guidelines (report to the Legislature)
- CS/SB 1128 (2026) bill history
- Chapter 2010-199, Laws of Florida (current schedule, effective January 1, 2011)
- Child Support Program