Category Archives: Child Support
The Alimony Two Step
The recent case Shouman v. Salama (Fla. 6th DCA 2025) is very helpful to family law attorneys by illustrating the two-step process for determination of alimony and spousal support in Florida divorce cases. In Shouman, the former wife appealed the trial court’s final judgment that denied her request for alimony. The Sixth DCA found… Read More »
Retroactive Child Support Must be Specifically Pleaded
Until now, there was an open question as to whether retroactive child support needs to be explicitly requested in the pleadings. The argument against the necessity for doing so is that Florida’s child support statute states that when child support is an issue, the court may order support to begin as early as 24… Read More »
Reduction of Agreed Child Support vs Alimony
Court Rejects “Heavier” Burden of Proof for Downward Modification of Agreed Child Support In Mannella, the Sixth District Court of Appeals recently departed from Florida’s five other appellate courts by declining to hold child support obligors to a heavier burden of proof when seeking downward modification of agreed-upon child support. [1] Downward modification of… Read More »
Which Costs More: Alimony or Child Support?
In Florida, the cost difference between child support and alimony (spousal support) depends on parent incomes, parenting time, and the financial needs of the parents and their children. — Child Support in Florida Purpose: Provides for the child’s needs, including food, housing, clothing, healthcare, education, and extracurricular activities. Calculation: Florida uses a formula outlined… Read More »
Evidence in Divorce & Fathers’ Rights
Evidence in a family law case refers to the information, documents, or testimony presented to the court to support or refute claims made by the parties involved. This evidence helps the judge make decisions on issues such as timesharing and visitation, custody, alimony, child support, property division, or other family law matters. Common types… Read More »
Fifth District Overturns Child Support Order
Parents frequently seek to modify the child support obligation after the final dissolution decree. A change in circumstances of either part may call for a review and adjustment of the child support obligations. While this type of request is not uncommon, courts in Florida will generally require that certain criteria be met before approving… Read More »
Arranging a Divorce Time-Sharing Plan
Divorce is very tough on children. They are forced to adapt to a new schedule of being shuttled back and forth and usually end up living in two different homes, or not seeing one parent a majority of the time. With all of this change, it’s important for your child’s life to have as much… Read More »
How Long Does Divorce Take in Florida?
The time it takes for a divorce to be finalized varies with every individual. If the divorce is uncontested, meaning both spouses agree on everything, it can take as little as 4 weeks. In a contested divorce the court has to decide on what the spouses don’t agree on. These divorces can take 6… Read More »
Who Claims a Child After Divorce?
Sharing custody of a child often leads divorced parents to wonder which parent gets to claim their child on their taxes. Luckily there are federal laws in place that make determining which parent gets a tax break much easier. How a dependence tax deduction is determined Even when parents have shared custody, it rarely… Read More »
What Affects Child Custody Decisions?
Going through a divorce is never easy. It’s a time of arguing and disagreements, and it’s even worse when kids are involved. When you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement on child custody, a judge will step in and make the decision for you. A judge will make his or her decision… Read More »
