Does back child support ever go away in Florida?

Asked by: Arnoldo Rosenbaum V  |  Last update: March 2, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (41 votes)

Florida has no statute of limitations for child support—a custodial parent can file a claim at any time. When a court issues a child support order, it indicates how much money the non-custodial parent must pay monthly. If the parent misses any of those payments, they accumulate as arrears.

Is there a statute of limitations on back child support in Florida?

If you have unpaid child support, you remain legally obligated to pay that debt. There is no statute of limitations for collecting unpaid child support in Florida, so your unpaid support will be enforceable indefinitely.

Can child support back pay be waived in Florida?

Child support payments cannot be waived in Florida unless the parent seeking the waiver or modification can demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances that makes it difficult or impossible to meet their child support obligations.

How do I get rid of back child support in Florida?

If the other parent does not agree to dismiss the child support arrearage, file a motion in court and ask a judge to dismiss the arrearage. Then, ask the judge to schedule a hearing date. At the hearing, you will be allowed to present evidence as to why the judge should dismiss the arrearage.

How far does Florida go back for child support?

The state of Florida allows collection of child support prior to the date your application for child support was filed, between the date of the separation and the time the child support order went into effect. The maximum amount of retroactive child support payments available in the state of Florida is 24 months.

When does child support end in Florida?

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How much back child support is a felony in FL?

The non-payment of Florida child support has serious consequences. The delinquency threshold regarding child support enforcement in Florida that would amount to a felony is: $2,500 in past-due support and four months of consecutive non-payment, or.

How to get rid of child support?

Termination at Age of Majority

Except in cases where a child has special needs or it has been determined that a parent will pay for the child's college education, child support orders generally terminate when a child reaches the age of majority or graduates from high school.

Can you forgive child support arrears in Florida?

The state permits a waiver of some or all child support arrears with court approval, provided the parents mutually agree (or the state agrees when the debt is owed to the state).

How far behind in child support before a warrant is issued in Florida?

Under Florida child support laws, if child support delinquency lasts over 15 days, the noncustodial parent may face child support enforcement actions.

Does child support automatically stop at 18 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.

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”.

How do I sue for back child support in Florida?

To get retroactive child support in Florida, you must submit a petition to the presiding court. In the petition, you should identify the retroactive period and the reasons justifying the support.

What is the maximum 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.

What happens to child support arrears when child turns 18 in Florida?

Child support arrearages never go away. They can even be claimed against a deceased parent's estate. Nor will bringing the claim years after the child reaches adulthood necessarily handicap the claim. Florida courts don't generally allow the passage of time as a defense in child support arrearage cases.

Can a person sue for back child support?

The laws on suing for back child support differ from state to state. Some states have a statute of limitations on enforcing a court order. 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?

19 years old is the maximum age for a child in Florida for parents to continue receiving child support (except in rare instances – read below). If a child graduates from high school after 18, but before 19, child support ends on the day of graduation.

How far back can they go on back child support in Florida?

A Florida court can order a noncustodial parent to pay child support as far back as 24 months before the initial petition was filed. Of course, a custodial parent must first file a petition seeking retroactive child support before a court can award such payments.

Will child support change in Florida in 2024?

In 2024, Florida has implemented several critical updates to its child support laws, including adjustments to payment calculations and custody considerations. These changes address both the financial and emotional well-being of children after parental separation.

What is a purge payment for child support?

By making a purging payment, a parent is released from custody. The payment may be a percentage of the existing debt, not the total child support owed. However, the process is different if the case is a criminal case. A local or state prosecutor files and prosecutes criminal cases.

Is back child support a felony in Florida?

Yes, when child support remains unpaid for an extended period, it can escalate to a felony offense.

Can a custodial parent stop child support arrears?

In most cases, child support arrears cannot be simply forgiven or dismissed as it is debt that stems from court-ordered child support.

How far back can you sue for child support Florida?

In the state of Florida, you can sue a parent under the law for back child support payments for up to 24 months.

How do you terminate child support in Florida?

Complete the Joint Motion to Terminate Child Support or Motion to Terminate Child Support in black ink or type it. The petitioner in the Child Support case will also be the petitioner in the (Joint) Motion and you will use the same Case Number. b. Both parties sign the (Joint) Motion in front of a Notary Public.

Can fathers opt out of child support?

In some states, a non-custodial parent can opt out of paying child support even though the custodial parent expects payments. But this is usually only possible if the non-custodial parent is willing to completely give up his or her parental rights of the child.

How to get child support off your credit report?

One of the most effective ways to remove child support from your credit report is to settle any outstanding payments. Once you pay child support arrears, the child support enforcement agency will typically update your credit report to reflect the payment.