Florida child support calculator 2026
Florida Child Support Calculator: Estimate Your Guideline Amount
Florida uses the Income Shares model under Family Law Rule 12.902(e) — both parents' net incomes determine a guideline amount from the state schedule. The 73-overnight threshold is what changes the calculation most dramatically in many Florida cases.
Reviewed for:
- Accuracy of Florida F.S. § 61.30 and Family Law Rule 12.902(e) references
- Income Shares model formula accuracy
- Florida-specific deviation factors and overnight threshold rules
Reviewed by Amit Sharma · How CustodyBuilder Works · Last updated August 2026 · Educational information only. Not legal advice.
Florida §61.30 Income Shares Calculator
Enter income & parenting time
Use net monthly income after taxes, FICA, and health insurance premiums. Version FL-CS-2026.1.
Estimated Monthly Support
$596.91
Parent B pays Parent A — planning estimate only.
Substantial time-sharing: Yes (1.5× cross-timeshare method)
Show calculation receipt ▾
- Net income A $4000.00
- Net income B $3000.00
- Combined net income $7000.00
- Income share A/B 57.1% / 42.9%
- Basic guideline need $1741.00
- Overnight % A/B 80.0% / 20.0%
- Substantial time-sharing Yes
- Noncovered medical treatment Included in gross-up (§61.30(8)): $0.00
- Gross-up base (basicNeed + noncoveredMedical) $1741.00
- A base obligation (grossupBase × A income share) $994.86
- B base obligation (grossupBase × B income share) $746.14
- × 1.5 gross-up → A $1492.29 / B: $1119.21
- Cross-timeshare obligation A $298.46 (= A grossed × B overnight%)
- Cross-timeshare obligation B $895.37 (= B grossed × A overnight%)
- Base transfer (A→B) $-596.91
- Expense pool (childcare + insurance) $0.00
- A required expense share $0.00
- A actual expenses paid $0.00
- Expense transfer A→B $0.00
- Final transfer A→B $-596.91
- Final support $596.91/month [B → A]
- Calculator version FL-CS-2026.3
Estimate based on Florida §61.30 guideline schedule (FL-CS-2026.1). Your actual order may differ. Consult a licensed Florida attorney.
How Florida Calculates Child Support
Unlike states that look only at the paying parent's income, Florida's formula treats child support as a shared obligation. The logic: a child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have enjoyed if the household stayed intact.
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross monthly income (wages, self-employment, rental income, investment income, overtime)
- 2
Subtract allowed deductions to arrive at net income
- 3
Add both parents' net incomes to get combined net income
- 4
Look up the guideline amount for that combined income level and number of children from the FL Schedule (Rule 12.902(e))
- 5
Apportion each parent's share based on their percentage of combined income
- 6
Adjust for overnight custody — overnights determine whether Standard or Extended Standard applies
- 7
Apply any deviation factors
What “Net Income” Means in Florida
Net income in Florida is gross income minus taxes, FICA, health insurance premiums for the children, and mandatory union dues — not simply take-home pay.
| Deducted from Gross | Not Deducted |
|---|---|
| Federal, state, local income taxes | Voluntary retirement contributions |
| FICA (Social Security + Medicare) | Voluntary health insurance for yourself |
| Mandatory union dues | Car loans, credit card payments |
| Health insurance premiums for the children | Voluntary 401(k) beyond minimum |
| Court-ordered support from prior relationships | Personal expenses |
What catches parents off-guard: The health insurance deduction applies only to the children's portion of the premium. Compare the employee-only premium with the dependent-coverage premium — that difference is the deductible amount. Self-employed parents face extra scrutiny and courts can impute income if expenses seem inflated or the parent appears voluntarily underemployed.
The 73-Overnight Threshold: Standard vs. Extended Standard
73 or more overnights per year with the non-primary parent triggers Extended Standard calculation, which adjusts support downward to reflect actual shared costs.
Under 73 overnights/year (Standard)
The residential parent gets the full guideline amount, adjusted only by each parent's income share.
73+ overnights/year (Extended Standard)
Florida applies a multiplier that reduces support to account for duplicated household costs maintained by both parents.
The practical implication: Going from 72 to 73 overnights can reduce support by hundreds of dollars per month on a middle-income case. This is why parenting plan negotiations often center on this specific number.
Define "overnight" precisely in the parenting plan to avoid disputes at the threshold. Courts may order parents to keep a shared custody log for the first year to settle disputes about the overnight count.
Worked Examples
The arithmetic can be a useful starting point — but the real calculation depends on what inputs a court would actually accept.
Example FL-001
Maria and David: walking through the Income Shares formula
Maria earns $9,200/month net. David earns $3,800/month net. Their daughter spends 60 overnights/year with David (below the 73-overnight threshold).
- Combined net income: $13,000/month
- Basic support obligation: approximately $1,840/month (from the Rule 12.902(e) schedule)
- David's income share: $3,800 ÷ $13,000 = 29.2%
- David's base support payment: $1,840 × 29.2% = approximately $537/month
What changes at 73 overnights (FL-001b): If David increases his overnights from 60 to 80 per year, the Extended Standard multiplier reduces his estimated support by approximately $150–230/month — saving David $1,800–$2,760 annually at this income level.
Example FL-002
Jason works overtime — does it count?
Jason earned $12,000 in overtime last year, consistent with his W-2 history for three years. His ex argues it should be included. Jason argues he worked it voluntarily.
Example FL-003
What changes your estimate the most?
Parent A net: $6,500/month | Parent B net: $3,500/month | 2 children | $400/month childcare
| Scenario | Est. monthly support |
|---|---|
| 60 overnights with Parent B | ~$820 |
| 73 overnights with Parent B (threshold) | ~$640 |
| 80 overnights with Parent B | ~$590 |
| Add $500/month childcare | ~$1,050 (at 60 overnights) |
Illustrative figures based on Florida's Income Shares schedule (Rule 12.902(e)). Self-employment, irregular bonuses, imputed income and disputed parenting time may require additional analysis.
Florida's 5 Deviation Factors
1. Extraordinary medical, psychological, educational, or dental expenses
If a child has ongoing therapy, special schooling, or medical costs not covered by insurance, the court can add those costs on top of the guideline amount, or reduce support if the paying parent already bears these costs directly.
2. Independent income of the child
A child who earns significant income from modeling, acting, or a trust distribution can reduce the guideline amount. Rare in practice, but courts do address it.
3. Seasonal variations in income
Construction workers, teachers on summer contracts, and commissioned salespeople often have income that spikes and dips. Courts can average income over 12 months or order adjustments by season.
4. Age of the child and needs of older children
A court can deviate upward when a child's actual expenses demonstrably exceed what the guideline assumed, based on a statutory deviation factor under F.S. § 61.30(11).
5. A parent's other support obligations
If the paying parent supports other children from a different relationship through a court order, those payments factor in. Voluntary payments to other children generally do not reduce your obligation.
Does Overtime Count as Income in Florida?
Getting this wrong can cost thousands over the life of a support order.
The exception: If overtime is truly voluntary and you can show a documented pattern of not working overtime, courts have discretion to exclude it. This is a fact-specific determination. Historical W-2 records almost always carry the day.
Common Mistakes in Florida Child Support Cases
Not documenting the children's health insurance premium correctly
Courts want the precise delta between employee-only and employee-plus-children rates. Get this number from your HR department in writing.
Hiding income or underreporting
Florida courts have extensive tools: subpoenas to employers, bank account analysis, lifestyle assessments. Penalties for hiding income include retroactive support, attorney's fees, and contempt.
Not tracking overnights through the 73-night threshold
If you are approaching 73 overnights, document every overnight with a calendar or OurFamilyWizard logs. Contemporaneous records can help establish which schedule was actually exercised.
Forgetting about add-ons beyond the base guideline
Childcare costs necessary for a parent to work or attend school, healthcare costs not covered by insurance, and special needs expenses are added on top, split proportionally by income.
Assuming a verbal agreement is enough
Courts in Florida are not bound by private child support agreements. Only a court-approved order is enforceable.
Missing the $50 minimum
Florida establishes a minimum support amount of $50 per month per child under F.S. § 61.30(1)(b). Even if income calculations produce a lower number, the statutory minimum applies.
How Florida Compares to Texas and California
Florida uses Income Shares — both parents' incomes drive the calculation. Texas uses only the paying parent's net income (20% for one child, 25% for two). California uses a formula that weights timeshare percentage directly, meaning custody schedule changes shift the support number immediately. See the Texas child support calculator and California child support calculator for side-by-side comparisons. For all states, use the general child support calculator.
Build a Parenting Plan That Locks In Your Schedule
The support amount follows the schedule — and the schedule follows the parenting plan. A well-drafted plan that clearly establishes 73+ overnights determines how much support is owed each month.
Custody Schedule Generator
Build your schedule visually and download as PDF, free.
Custody Percentage Calculator
Calculate your exact overnight percentage.
Overnight Custody Calculator
Track and verify your overnight count toward the 73-night Extended Standard threshold.
Parenting Plan Template
Full template with built-in schedule section for Florida orders.
Florida Custody Schedule
Common custody schedules used by Florida families.
Florida Parenting Plan Template
Pre-formatted template for Florida family courts.
Ready to build this schedule?
Use the generator to create dated exchange calendars for any rotation — set start date, preview months, and download a PDF.
FAQ
Florida Child Support — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Florida's Income Shares model, the 73-overnight threshold, and how courts apply the guidelines.
How does Florida's Income Shares model differ from other states?
Florida pools both parents' incomes and applies a guideline schedule based on the combined total. States like Texas use only the paying parent's income. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes factor into the obligation — so when both parents earn significant income, the formula accounts for the combined household standard of living the child would have had. Florida codified this approach in F.S. § 61.30.
What happens if the other parent refuses to disclose income?
File a motion for discovery. Courts can compel financial disclosure and, if a parent fails to comply, can impute income based on their earning capacity, lifestyle, or prior employment history.
Can child support be modified after it's set?
Yes. Florida allows modification when there's a substantial change in circumstances and the new amount would differ from the current order by at least 15% or $50 per month, whichever is greater. A modification requires a new court order, not just agreement between parents.
Does Florida support end at 18?
Generally yes, unless the child is still in high school at 18, in which case support continues until graduation or the child's 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Support for adult disabled children can continue indefinitely.
What counts as income for child support in Florida?
Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, overtime, tips, self-employment income, rental income, interest and dividends, disability benefits, workers' comp, alimony received from a prior case, and pension or retirement income. Need-based public assistance is excluded.
Can parents agree to a different amount than the guideline?
Yes — but the court must approve any agreement and will only do so if it finds the agreed amount adequate for the child's needs. Courts will not approve a number that's dramatically below guideline.
What if I lose my job after the order is set?
File for modification immediately. Courts can retroactively reduce support only to the date of filing the modification petition, not the date you lost the job.
Does the paying parent's new spouse's income count?
No. A new spouse's income is generally not included in Florida's child support calculation. Only the biological or adoptive parent's income is used.
Sources
- [1] Florida Legislature — F.S. § 61.30, Child Support Guidelines — last verified August 6, 2026
- [2] Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure — Rule 12.902(e) — last verified August 6, 2026
This calculator and content are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Child support calculations depend on specific facts, local judicial discretion, and information not captured in any online tool. Consult a licensed family law attorney in Florida before making any legal decisions.