Florida Child Support Calculator (2026)
Estimate monthly child support under Florida’s statutory guidelines (Fla. Stat. § 61.30), including the substantial time-sharing gross-up. A planning tool, not legal advice.
Support Estimator
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Your Estimate
Estimate based on the structure of Fla. Stat. § 61.30: combined net income, statutory percentages, time-sharing gross-up at 20%+ overnights, and add-ons for health insurance and child care. The actual statutory schedule has hundreds of income brackets; this calculator uses approximate percentages and is a planning tool, not a court order.
How Florida Child Support Is Calculated
Florida uses an income shares model: each parent contributes to a basic obligation in proportion to their net income share, with adjustments for time-sharing and certain costs. The full method is in Fla. Stat. § 61.30.
Step 1: Combined monthly net income
Both parents’ net incomes are added. Net income is gross income minus taxes, FICA, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement, health insurance for the parent (not the children), child support or alimony actually being paid in other cases, and certain other deductions in Fla. Stat. § 61.30(3).
Step 2: Basic guideline obligation
The statute provides a schedule in § 61.30(6) that ties combined monthly net income (from $800 to $10,000) and the number of children to a basic monthly obligation. Above $10,000, the obligation continues to grow by a statutory percentage of the excess. This calculator approximates the schedule with these average percentages:
- 1 child — ~18% of combined net
- 2 children — ~27%
- 3 children — ~33%
- 4 children — ~37%
- 5 children — ~40%
- 6 children — ~43%
Step 3: Add health insurance and child care
The cost of health insurance for the children and child care necessary for employment is added to the basic obligation. The combined total is the monthly child support need.
Step 4: Allocate by income share
Each parent’s share of the total = (their net income) / (combined net income).
Step 5: Apply the time-sharing gross-up if applicable
If each parent has at least 20% of the overnights (73+ per year), the court applies the “gross-up” method under § 61.30(11)(b): the basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5. Each parent’s share is then reduced by the percentage of overnights they have. The result is a net transfer from the higher-share parent to the lower-share parent.
What this calculator does NOT model
- The full statutory schedule with all income brackets.
- Deviations from the guidelines under § 61.30(11)(a) (up to 5% without findings; more with findings).
- Imputed income for voluntary unemployment or underemployment.
- Self-employment income calculations.
- Multi-family adjustments when a parent owes support to children outside this case.
- Retroactive support, arrears, and tax intercepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this calculator?
It applies the structure of Fla. Stat. § 61.30 (income share + time-sharing gross-up + add-ons) but uses approximate percentages rather than the full schedule. Expect the result to be within roughly 10–15% of the official guideline amount in typical cases. It is a planning estimate, not a court order.
What counts as “net income”?
Gross income minus federal/state/local taxes, FICA, mandatory union dues, mandatory retirement, health insurance premiums for the parent (not the children), court-ordered support of other children actually being paid, and spousal support actually paid in this or a prior case. See § 61.30(3).
When does the time-sharing gross-up apply?
When each parent has at least 20% of the overnights (73 nights or more per year). The basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5 and allocated based on income share and overnight percentage. See § 61.30(11)(b).
Can the guideline amount be adjusted?
Yes. A court may deviate up or down by 5% without specific findings, and by more with written findings under § 61.30(11)(a). Common reasons include extraordinary medical expenses, age of the children, special needs, or large income disparities.
What if my spouse is hiding income or voluntarily underemployed?
Florida courts can impute income based on earning capacity if a party is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed without a justification recognized by the statute. See our guide on uncovering hidden assets in a Florida divorce.
How long does child support last?
Until the child turns 18, or up to 19 if still in high school with a reasonable expectation of graduating before 19, or longer for a dependent adult child with a disability. Support typically terminates earlier on emancipation or marriage of the child.
Related Reading
- Modifying Child Support or Alimony in Florida
- Florida Alimony Calculator
- Child Custody & Time-Sharing in Florida
- Florida Divorce: A Complete Guide
Talk to a Florida Family Law Attorney
This calculator is a starting point. A confidential consultation with Pazos Law Group can clarify how the guidelines apply to your specific facts — including deviations, imputed income, and time-sharing strategy.
Schedule a Confidential ConsultationThe information and calculator on this page are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Using this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship with Pazos Law Group. Florida statutes and the application of the law change over time; please consult a licensed Florida attorney about your specific situation.