A GUIDE TO THE CHILD SUPPORT DIVISION

WHAT DOES THE CHILD SUPPORT DIVISION DO?
The Child Support Division is within the Civil Division of the Clerk's office. Receipts and Disbursements for court ordered depository payments of alimony and child support are now handled under contract by the State Disbursement Unit (www.myfloridacounty.com). The Clerk's office maintains the official file on all court cases, has the official record of payment history and current status of payments, performs audits of the case upon request, and attends DOR's monthly Child Support Enforcement court hearings.

WHAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDERED BY THE COURT?
In Florida, child support is governed by the guidelines established by Florida Statute.
A Child Support Guidelines Worksheet will show you and the court how the facts you have fit into the child support law of Florida. The Worksheet is based on MONTHLY paychecks and bills. To convert hourly or weekly payments to monthly, follow the FORMULA shown.

The Guideline worksheet is available HERE!

The child support guidelines establish the basic child support obligation for parents whose combined net income is between $7,800 and $120,000 annually. If the parents combined income is more than $120,000 annually, a formula is provided for the court to establish support beyond the guidelines amount. If the combined parents income is below $7,800, the court determines the child support on a case by case basis.

WHAT ARE THE CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES BASED ON?
The child support guidelines amount is based on the number of children and combined income of the parents. The child support obligation is divided between the parents in direct proportion to their income or earning capacity. The parent with whom the child lives most of the time (the "custodial" parent) is paid the established support by the other ("noncustodial") parent.
The court at its discretion may increase or decrease the guidelines support amount by up to 5%. The guidelines support amount may be increased or decreased by more than 5% if written reasons are given for the change.

CAN THE CHILD SUPPORT AMOUNT EVER CHANGE?
Yes, child support can be modified by the court if there is substantial change in the circumstances of the family. If there is a change of 15% or $50.00 whichever is greater, in the child support guidelines, that may be reason for modifying child support. Usually the one of the parties in the case will have to petition the court for this to be considered.

WILL THE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS BE PAID DIRECTLY TO ME?
After the court has decided the amount of the child support to be paid, a decision will be made as to whether child support payments should be paid directly to you or through the central depository and then to you.

HOW WILL THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY KNOW ABOUT THE CHILD SUPPORT OWED?
When the court enters an order beginning, enforcing or changing a child support duty, the court must enter a separate order for income deduction (for the last several years, courts generally order payments through the payroll deduction system). The order makes the obligor's (the person ordered by the court to pay support) employer keep a certain amount of money each time the obligor is paid, and send it to the central depository to be paid to the custodial parent. The Clerk's office will keep copies of all of those orders and will track all payments in light of that the latest court order.

WHEN WILL THE CENTRAL DEPOSITORY SEND OUT THE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT?
The State Disbursement Unit usually mails the payments out the same day it is received, but is by law required to do so within 48 hours of receipt.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITORY?
You may contact the State Disbursement Unit (phone #201-0140 or www.myfloridacounty.com) to find out if a payment was received in the central depository, when the payment was disbursed by the depository and the amount of the payment. You may contact the Clerk's office to find out about arrearage (delinquent child support obligation). Be sure to have the nine-digit (e.g. 99-00000-99) case number available when calling either number.