Child support can feel confusing, especially when your income, time-sharing schedule, and expenses keep shifting. If you live in Jupiter or anywhere in Palm Beach County, Kofsky Law is ready to step in with clear direction and steady guidance. We handle heated disputes and tough financial topics, keeping the focus on your kids. We assess the facts, apply Florida law, and build a plan that fits your child’s real needs.
Led by Martin Kofsky, our team builds child support outcomes that hold up, in and out of court. We handle cases with business income, bonuses, or self-employment, and we do not shy away from hard fights when needed. We approach each case with careful preparation and a clear financial strategy.
Florida Child Support Guidelines
Florida uses an income shares model. That model aims to mirror what parents would spend if they lived in one household, then divides the support between both parents based on income and parenting time. The court carefully reviews the numbers, then sets an amount that is workable and fair.
Several inputs go into the calculation. The list below highlights the items we collect and review early to ensure nothing gets missed.
- Both parents’ net incomes after allowable deductions.
- Health insurance costs for the child, and each parent’s share.
- Out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses for the child.
- Childcare needed for work, school, or job training.
- Number of overnights for each parent under the time-sharing plan.
- Support paid for other children, if applicable under Florida law.
Sometimes the standard number is not quite right. A child with major medical needs, therapy, or special schooling might need an adjustment. We prepare the evidence that shows the court why a deviation is reasonable.
Guide to Common Florida Child Support Inputs
| Factor | Effect on Support | What We Look For |
| Parents’ net incomes | Sets the base share for each parent | Pay stubs, tax returns, business records |
| Time-sharing overnights | Adjusts each parent’s share of costs | Current or proposed parenting plan |
| Health insurance for the child | Credit to the parent paying premiums | Premium invoices and policy details |
| Childcare for work or school | Added to the guideline calculation | Receipts, provider contracts, schedules |
| Extraordinary medical or educational | Can justify an upward deviation | Doctor letters, IEPs, therapist statements |
| Support for other children | Adjusts available income | Orders showing current obligations |
Numbers tell a story, but they only help if the records are complete and clean. We help you pull together what the court needs, then present it in an easy-to-follow way.
How Kofsky Law Assists Clients with Child Support Matters
From first filings to tough hearings, we handle the steps that move your case forward. We keep you informed, we keep the documents tight, and we are ready for court if talks stall.
Establishing Initial Child Support Orders
First, we gather the paperwork that proves income and expenses, including harder items like self-employment or investment returns. Then we apply Florida’s formula and present a fair number that reflects your child’s real needs.
To make the process smoother, we ask clients to bring the following early on.
- Last two years of tax returns and all W-2s or 1099s.
- Three to six months of pay stubs or profit-and-loss statements.
- Proof of childcare, insurance premiums, and out-of-pocket medical costs.
With the documents set, we represent you in court and advocate for an order that fits your family’s day-to-day life.
Life changes fast, and support orders need to keep up. When income or parenting time shifts, we act quickly to update the order.
Modifying Existing Child Support Orders
We review your current order, compare the new numbers, and advise if a material change justifies an update. If the change is real and durable, we file a Supplemental Petition and back it up with fresh evidence.
- Confirm any changes in income, time-sharing, or expenses with supporting documents.
- Run updated guideline calculations to show the difference.
- File and serve the petition, then present the proof in court.
We aim to reach an agreement, but we are ready to litigate if the other side will not budge.
Sometimes a parent stops paying, or pays only part of what is due. In those moments, fast action matters for your child’s needs.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
We move to collect using tools such as income withholding, liens, or a motion for contempt. If a hearing is set, we present clear proof of the missed payments and ask the court for strong remedies.
Our goal is simple: get the support owed and keep future payments on track.
High-income cases call for a closer look. We bring in the right financial professionals when the records are messy or incomplete.
Addressing Complex Financial Situations
Business owners, sales professionals with bonuses, and parents with stock options all face special issues. We work with forensic accountants to trace income, identify perks, and uncover hidden cash flow that affects support.
With better data, the number set by the court reflects real ability to pay, not guesses or rough estimates.
Common Child Support Challenges and How We Overcome Them
Child support fights can drain your energy and your bank account. We keep the tone steady and focused on your child’s needs, while still pushing firmly for a fair result.
Resolving Disputes Amicably
Most families do better with a solid agreement rather than a bitter trial. We use negotiation and mediation to sort out disputes and lock in terms that work for both parents.
Martin Kofsky draws on years in family court to guide talks, lower the temperature, and find common ground where it exists.
Some cases just will not settle. When that happens, we prepare and press forward.
Focused Courtroom Advocacy
We build a clear record with financial exhibits, credible testimony, and a clear explanation of the law. Then we ask the court for orders that protect your child and respect your rights.
Our courtroom work is focused, measured, and ready for tough cross-exams.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support
Parents often have the same questions, especially at the start. Here are quick answers that point you in the right direction.
How is child support calculated in Florida?
Florida uses an income-sharing model that considers both parents’ net income, the number of overnights, and child-related expenses. The formula produces a base number, then the court applies credits and adjustments as the law allows. Good records and accurate calculations are the foundation of a fair result.
Life does not stay the same for long. Orders can be updated when the facts change in a meaningful way.
Can a child support order be modified?
Yes, if there is a material change in income, time-sharing, or child-related expenses that is lasting, the court can modify the order. We compare the old and new numbers to show the difference, then file the proper petition. Agreements are possible, and if not, the judge decides after a hearing.
Missing payments creates stress and hardship. Florida law gives courts strong tools to address it.
What happens if a parent doesn’t pay child support?
Unpaid support can lead to income withholding, liens, license suspensions, and contempt of court. Judges can set payment plans, enter money judgments, or, in severe cases, impose penalties. We move fast to document the shortfall and request the relief needed to get money flowing again.
Contact Kofsky Law Today for Assistance
If you are facing a new child support case, a dispute in Palm Beach County, or a tough post-judgment fight, we are ready to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation, and let’s talk through your goals, your numbers, and the steps that get you where you need to be. Call 561-407-0703 or visit our website to schedule a time that works for you.
