At what age do you stop paying child support in Florida?

Asked by: Steve Ullrich Sr.  |  Last update: April 6, 2025
Score: 5/5 (38 votes)

Child Support Ending at Age 18 The Florida statute that governs child support states that, unless the parties agree otherwise, monthly support payments will end on the child's 18th birthday. If there is more than one child involved, the amount of monthly child support will reduce proportionally as each child turns 18.

Do you still have to pay child support if the child goes to college in Florida?

Child Support for College Tuition

However, Florida state laws do not require a parent to pay child support to cover college tuition. This is mostly because child support orders end when the child turns 18.

Do you have to pay child support after 18 in Florida?

Sometimes, Florida Child Support Ends at Age 19

The Florida statutes contain a provision that extends child support until your child reaches the age of 19. If your child has not graduated high school by his or her 18th birthday, child support will not end at 18 but instead will continue until graduation.

How long does a father have to pay child support in Florida?

So—the short answer to the question of when my Florida child support will end is: Florida child support most often ends when the child turns 18. Florida child support can continue until the child graduates from high school or turns 19. Florida child support could continue indefinitely for special needs children.

How to stop child support in Florida when a child turns 18?

If your particular situation does not allow you to simply stop paying child support when your child reaches the age of 18, you must file a Supplemental Petition to Modify or Terminate Child Support in the same court your original child support order was entered, using your original case number.

When does child support end in Florida?

21 related questions found

What is the new law in Florida about child support?

In 2025, Florida is rolling out updated child support calculations designed to better reflect the real-life costs of raising kids—think daycare, extracurricular activities, and that never-ending grocery bill.

How can I legally stop paying child support in Florida?

How Can You Stop Child Support Payments in Florida?
  1. An agreement between the parents: If both parents agree, child support payments can be waived or stopped. ...
  2. Give up your parental rights: A parent can decide to do this but they will have to follow specific state guidelines.

What is the deadbeat dad law in Florida?

Florida has specific laws that protect the rights of the parent who has to pay child support and the one who is receiving child support payments. The laws concerning child support orders and the methods that Florida courts can use to enforce the payment of child support are colloquially known as the “Deadbeat Dad Law”.

Can I go after my ex husband's new wife for child support in Florida?

In general, a new spouse's income has no bearing on a child support obligation. It simply is not an input into a child support calculation formula. If a spouse gets remarried that pays child support, which is very common, the new spouse's income will not be considered. There is a slender exception to that.

Is there a cap to child support in Florida?

There is no actual cap on the amount of a person's monthly child support obligation. The statutory formula used to calculate a child support obligation, however, means that the obligation should never exceed a person's ability to pay.

How much is child support for one kid in Florida?

For those seeing a Florida child support calculations for the number of children, based on the monthly net income of the obligator, here is a rough child support calculator: One child = 20% of Net Resources. Two children = 25% of Net Resources. Three children = 30% of Net Resources.

What age is considered an adult in Florida?

The age of majority (legal adulthood) in Florida is 18 years of age in most circumstances. The legal drinking age in Florida is 21 years of age. not need parental approval.

Can an 18 year old sue parent for child support?

In California, a parent or child has 10 years to launch a lawsuit. 10 years past the child's 19th birthday, if the child was in high school past their 18th.

What is the cut off age for child support in Florida?

The obligation to pay child support usually ends in Florida when the child reaches age 18. Exceptions include children who have not graduated from high school by 18, emancipation, children with special needs and some other situations. The support rules in Florida resemble those in many other states.

Are parents required to pay for college in Florida?

Unlike many other states, Florida law doesn't explicitly require either parent to pay their children's college expenses. As such, Florida courts cannot require a parent to pay college expenses unless the parties have contractually agreed to this in a divorce settlement agreement.

Who gets back child support after the child is 18 in Florida?

Florida courts recognize the adult child or emancipated child's right to collect the support arrearage on their own behalf. Florida courts also acknowledge the non-deadbeat parent's ongoing right to bring an enforcement/collection action against the deadbeat parent after the child becomes a legal adult.

Does a spouse's income affect child support in Florida?

In Florida, a new spouse's income does not directly factor into a child support determination, but it can still have an impact. The court does not specifically factor a step-parent's income into the equation when awarding child support.

Can a mother take a father off child support in Florida?

The parent seeking to change (or modify) a support order has the burden to prove a change in circumstances. In most cases, before an order can be changed, a parent's change in circumstances must be substantial, permanent, and involuntary.

Can my ex-wife go after my new wife's income?

The court will rarely consider the new spouse's income unless: Both biological parents earn too little money to provide for the child's basic needs. A parent voluntarily or intentionally quits work or reduces their income. A parent remains underemployed or unemployed and relies on the new spouse's income.

How long does a father have to be absent to lose his rights in Florida?

A parent who drops off his or her child at a relative's home and then vanishes can be found to have abandoned the child if a sufficient period of time has passed. In addition, a parent who cannot be located for 60 or more days can have his or her parental rights terminated by the court.

Do you have to pay back child support if you didn't know about the child?

Do I Have to Pay for Child Support If I Didn't Know the Child Was Mine? Probably. If paternity is legally established, then you are obligated to support your child. The court, depending on the state, may also order you to pay child support retroactively.

Does getting food stamps automatically place the father on child support in FL?

If the child support is not paid and you receive public assistance, the State will go after the other parent/father for child support.

Can you write off child support in Florida?

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Child support payments are neither deductible by the payer nor taxable income to the recipient.

Does child support increase with age?

Technically, child support obligations do not automatically increase or decrease in regards to a child's age. However, there are extenuating circumstances that would warrant a reduction in monthly payments owed by the non-custodial parent.

Is child support optional in Florida?

Florida Child Support laws are pretty clear: If there are minor children there is child support. That is a true statement in 99% of child custody cases. The courts and the child support statutes are very clear on this issue – the parents of children must pay child support.