Child and Spousal Support (Alimony)

Child Support

Children are entitled to the benefit of child support, and neither parent has the ability to agree not to pay it. If you’re a parent contemplating or going through a divorce, or if you have a child outside marriage, you should let our family law trial attorneys fight to make sure your child is given the appropriate support.

Child Support Guidelines

In Florida, child support is calculated by statute. It’s important for the calculations to accurately reflect the parents’ financial resources and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. Our family law trial attorneys spent years prosecuting economic crimes, and have the experience and resources to ensure your child’s other parent is ordered to contribute the full support mandated by Florida law.

If you are facing a child support obligation or are seeking child support, contact our family law trial attorneys to pursue or defend an accurate child support order.

Spousal Support (Alimony)

If you are seeking alimony, or defending against such a request, you should understand that a family court judge can make the ultimate determination of an alimony award. This involves courtroom litigation that many family lawyers try to avoid. Our experienced trial attorneys will seek to persuade the court to issue an alimony order consistent with your needs and lifestyle, proving such factors as:

• The standard of living established during the marriage.
• The age and the physical and emotional condition of each party.
• The financial resources of you and your spouse, including the pre-marriage and marital assets.
• The earning capacities, educational levels, vocational skills, and employability of you and your spouse, and the time necessary for you or your spouse to acquire sufficient education or training to find appropriate employment.
• Your contribution to the marriage, including homemaking, child care, education, and building the career of your spouse.
• The responsibilities you will have toward your child.
• All sources of income available to you or your spouse, including investment income.
• Any other factor necessary to provide you an equitable and just result.

Changes to alimony awards are proposed nearly every year in the Florida Legislature. If you will seek alimony during your divorce case, it is likely in your best interest to seek an award sooner than later. Contact our experienced family law trial attorneys at (954) 329-2222 to discuss how we would solve your spousal support issues.