What is the average child support payment in Florida, and how is it calculated?

Florida managing attorney at Marble Law

Published May 22, 2025 · 4 min read

Key Takeaways

Florida uses an "Income Shares Model" that looks at both parents’ incomes, time-sharing, and the child’s needs.
There is no fixed “average” child support amount—payments depend on each family’s unique financial situation and custody arrangement.
Child support can be modified if there's a substantial, long-term change in either parent's circumstances.
A family law attorney can help with support calculations, negotiation, enforcement, or modification.

Does an average child support payment exist in Florida?

There isn’t a standard child support amount that fits every case in Florida. While the state uses guidelines to ensure consistency, the final number varies widely depending on your specific situation. Courts look at each parent’s income, how many children are involved, how many nights the child stays with each parent, and costs like daycare or insurance.

Some parents might pay as little as a few hundred dollars a month, while others could be responsible for thousands, especially in high-income families. The goal is to maintain the child’s standard of living as closely as possible to what they had before the separation.

How is child support calculated in Florida?

Florida uses an “Income Shares Model.” That means the court adds up both parents’ incomes and uses that combined total to figure out how much financial support the child would have had if the family stayed together. Each parent is then responsible for a portion of that amount based on their share of the income.

Several factors influence the final number:

The number of overnights each parent has with the child.
The cost of health insurance and who is paying it.
Work-related childcare expenses, like daycare or after-school programs.
Any special needs the child may have.
The standard of living the child had prior to the separation.

The state’s child support worksheet helps calculate a baseline amount by plugging in all these numbers. However, judges can adjust the final order if there’s a good reason to deviate from the standard calculation.

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Can child support be modified in Florida?

Florida law allows parents to request a change in the support amount if there’s a “substantial change in circumstances.” That could be a job loss, a significant change in income, a serious illness, or a major shift in the parenting schedule.

To start the process, you must file a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support with the court that issued the original order. You’ll also need to provide updated financial documents and possibly attend mediation or a hearing.

Parents taking there children to their rooms, together

In other words, it’s not just about one or two bad days—it’s about an ongoing pattern that impacts the child’s well-being.

Why hire a family law attorney for child support issues

Figuring out child support can be more complicated than it seems. A family law attorney can make sure the court sees an accurate picture of both parents’ finances, especially if the other parent is self-employed, underreporting income, or has hidden assets. They can help you fill out the child support worksheet correctly, negotiate a fair agreement that reflects your child’s needs, and respond to modification requests or enforcement actions.

An attorney also ensures that support orders are properly followed and enforced. If you're dealing with support issues, an attorney with Marble Law can give you a better chance of reaching a fair and sustainable solution for both you and your child.