Florida Child Support Calculator
Florida’s Child Support guidelines are designed to help children maintain a stable life in two households. Our free Child Support calculator gives you a starting estimate based on the information you enter—so you can plan, negotiate, and protect your child without guessing.
If you want a real, case-specific analysis (especially if income is complicated, self-employment is involved, or time-sharing is disputed), we’ll walk you through it.
Call us now at 800-468-0777 to book your consultation, or fill out the contact form and we will call you back the same day.
A Quick, Important Disclaimer
This calculator is an estimate only. Judges can adjust Child Support based on the full financial picture and the child’s needs.
- Results can be less reliable for high-income cases, self-employed parents, fluctuating income, or unusual expenses.
- Your actual support may change depending on time-sharing, daycare, health insurance, uncovered medical costs, and other guideline adjustments.
- Using this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Every case is different. The only way to know exactly what will happen in your situation is to sit down with us for a full consultation.
Florida Child Support Calculator (2026)
What you’ll need to run it accurately
- Each parent’s monthly income (and deductions to reach “net” if your tool asks for it)
- Number of children
- Time-sharing overnights (your best estimate)
- Childcare costs (daycare, after-school care, summer care)
- Child’s health insurance premium cost (incremental cost to add the child)
- Uncovered medical expenses (if you already know them or have a typical monthly average)
Florida Child Support Calculator
Guide to the Child Support Calculator (What Each Field Means)
Number of Children
Only include the children shared between you and the other parent for this calculation.
Each Parent’s Income (Gross vs. Net)
Florida guidelines are based on net monthly income (after allowable deductions). If your calculator asks for gross income, it will estimate net internally.
Time-Sharing / Overnights
This is the number of overnights each parent has in a year. Time-sharing matters because Florida uses a shared-parenting adjustment when a parent has at least 20% of the overnights.
Childcare Costs
Work-related daycare, after-school care, camps, or similar care needed for employment, job search, or education that leads to employment.
Health Insurance for the Child
This is typically the incremental cost to add the child to a parent’s policy (not the entire premium for the family plan).
Uncovered Medical, Dental, and Prescriptions
If you have ongoing out-of-pocket costs, those may be included and shared between the parents.
Other Child Support Orders (If Applicable)
If a parent is already supporting other children under an existing court order, that can affect the numbers.
Social Security Benefits Paid for the Child (If Applicable)
If a child receives Social Security benefits due to a parent’s retirement or disability, that may affect the final support calculation and credits.
How Florida Calculates Child Support (Plain English)
Florida Child Support usually comes down to five steps:
1) Calculate each parent’s net monthly income
This includes wages and can include overtime, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, retirement benefits, and more.
2) Combine both net incomes
That combined number helps determine the guideline “base” support amount.
3) Find the guideline support amount for the number of children
Florida has a guideline schedule up to a certain combined income level.
4) Add key child costs
Common additions include:
- Work-related childcare
- Health insurance for the child
- Uncovered medical/dental/prescriptions (in some cases)
5) Allocate each parent’s share and adjust for time-sharing
Each parent’s percentage share of income drives their share of the obligation, then time-sharing can change the transfer amount.
Combined Income Over $10,000 Per Month (High-Income Cases)
When the parents’ combined monthly net income is above $10,000, Florida uses the guideline base amount plus a percentage of the income over $10,000.
General guideline percentages over $10,000:
- 1 child: 5%
- 2 children: 7.5%
- 3 children: 9.5%
- 4 children: 11%
- 5 children: 12%
- 6 children: 12.5%
High-income Child Support is one of the easiest places to get pushed into an unfair number—on either side—without a strategy. We can help you anchor the conversation in the statute and the child’s real needs.
When a Judge Can Deviate From the Guideline Amount
Florida judges can deviate up or down when the guideline result would be unfair or doesn’t fit the child’s needs. Common reasons include:
- Extraordinary medical or educational needs
- Special needs or disability-related costs
- Significant assets available to either parent or the child
- Major differences in household resources
- The specific time-sharing schedule and the realities of who pays for what
This is why we tell clients: don’t sign a “quick agreement” just to end the conflict. Your child deserves stability, and you deserve a plan you can actually live with.
Modifying Child Support Later
If life changes, Child Support can often be modified—especially when there’s a meaningful change in income, expenses, or time-sharing.
Two of the most common triggers:
- A substantial income change (job change, loss of income, significant increase)
- Time-sharing that isn’t matching the court order in real life
Every case is different. The only way to know exactly what will happen in your situation is to sit down with us for a full consultation.
The Best Path Forward (Peace First)
Our goal is always to protect you and your children while keeping as much peace as possible. Divorce doesn’t have to be a war.
Most families resolve Child Support through:
- Negotiated settlement (often the fastest and least damaging)
- Mediation (structured, private, and child-focused)
- Court only when the other side won’t be reasonable or hides the ball financially
You deserve counsel that’s prepared, responsive, and compassionate. We’ve helped hundreds of Central Florida families through this exact situation.
Talk to a Florida Child Support Lawyer Before You Agree to Anything
If you’re worried the numbers are wrong—or you’re being pressured into an agreement—let’s talk. We’ll help you get clarity, protect your child, and put you in a strong position moving forward.
Call us now at 800-468-0777 to book your consultation.
Or fill out the contact form and we will call you back the same day.