Family law cases involving custody and support are stressful, and it’s easy to make mistakes that can cost you. If you’re starting the child support process, or need to change or enforce an order, it helps to understand how the Florida child support system works. Having a lawyer on your side is what protects your rights and helps you reach a fair outcome for your family.
CHILD SUPPORT CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH YOUR LOCAL FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OR THROUGH YOUR LOCAL COURTS BY HIRING AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE.
The Role of the Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Office in Fort Pierce, FL
Florida’s Department of Revenue manages child support services, including those provided through the child support office in Fort Pierce, FL. Their responsibilities include:
- Establishing paternity
- Setting up and managing child support payments
- Adjusting support amounts when circumstances change.
- Processing payments and tracking compliance
The office can help with paperwork, but it can’t give you legal advice or represent you in court. For that, you’ll want to talk to an experienced family law attorney.
Custody and Support Go Hand in Hand
Florida courts decide on child custody and support by looking at what arrangements are best for the child. However, the Florida Department of Revenue child support office is not concerned with creating a parenting schedule as they are more concerned with obtaining the support for the child.
If you get served with a request for financial documentation from the Florida Department of Revenue child support office and you are being asked whether or not you have initiated a circuit court case, you have 20 days to respond. It is best to contact an experienced family lawyer to help you navigate the process. At the Dadan Law Firm we are experienced to help navigate you through this process.
How Is Support Calculated
Usually, the parent who spends the most overnights with the child and is the less income earner receives support from the other parent to help cover the child’s needs. The court uses several important factors to figure out child support amounts pursuant to the Florida Child Support Guidelines worksheet.
- Each parent’s income
- Health insurance and childcare costs
- Number of overnight stays per parent
- Any current support required for other children in the family.
At the Dadan Law Firm we can help you organize your financial documents and make sure your support calculations follow Florida’s guidelines.
Modifying Support or Custody Orders
You can ask to change your child support or custody order if your situation changes, such as losing your job, changes in parenting duties, or higher child care costs. The Fort Pierce child support office can process some modification requests, if the case was originally handled by the Florida Department of Revenue child support office, if NOT, you will need to file a modification in the circuit court where the petition originated. If you no longer reside in the same State and wish to seek a modification, contact an experienced family law attorney to discuss your rights.
A family law attorney can:
- Assess whether your situation qualifies for modification.
- File the proper motion with the court.
- Represent you at any hearings.
- Protect against claims that the change was made in bad faith.
The absence of legal assistance for parties causes court delays to persist because they fail to prepare suitable documentation, leading to their requests being rejected.
Enforcement When the Other Parent Fails to Pay
Unfortunately, some parents fail to meet their court-ordered support obligations. The Florida Department of Revenue child support office has the authority to use wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension as intervention methods, although these procedures require extended time and legal procedures for execution.
Your attorney can also help you file an enforcement/contempt action to make the other parent comply. Your lawyer can also ask for payment penalties and reimbursement for any unpaid support.
Need Help Navigating Custody or Child Support in Fort Pierce?
Call 772-263-7417 today to talk with a knowledgeable family law attorney at the Dadan Law Firm. We will help you navigate the legal system and work to get the best outcome for your child.