One of the most complex and fought-about matters in a divorce is child support. Every parent is obligated to support their child financially, regardless of whether they are married to the other parent or not. In Florida, the amount of child support is based on set guidelines found in Florida Statutes Section 0061.30. While the formula predominantly determines support, there are key pieces of evidence that can impact how much support will be awarded by the court.
What Evidence Should Be Disclosed in a Child Support Case?
Both parents are required to honestly disclose their financial situation through a special form they must file with the court. Certain documents are useful for proving your financial position during this time.
In a child support case, you should present the following documents:
- Paystubs
- Income tax returns
- Mortgage payments
- Records from any income you may have regarding your business, real estate, or other investments
- Corporate financial statements if you are a shareholder
- Any records showing benefits you've received from workers' compensation, unemployment, disability, or other social assistance programs
During financial disclosure, there may be other documents necessary for your case. To determine exactly what you should provide, it is in your best interests to contact a Bartow child support attorney to help you gather the documents you need to show your earnings and expenses.
Providing Additional Evidence in a Child Support Case
There may be special considerations in your case that require additional income for child support that is not based on your or your ex-spouse's financial situation. If your child has special or unique needs, for instance, the court may require additional evidence to support the claim for more financial assistance.
Additional evidence that could be useful to provide in this situation include:
- Medical records or statements from a doctor that describes how your child's medical issues require additional expenses
- Statements of your child's recreational, sports activities, or after school hobbies
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses to purchase items for the child's education, clothing, medications, and other day-to-day costs
- Any statements from your child's school that demonstrate the need for additional tutoring or tools to assist in their education
- Any other receipts that demonstrate you incurred additional costs to support your child
If your child support order is already finalized, but you believe that it doesn't correctly reflect your current financial situation, you may have grounds to request a modification. If there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the initial order was filed, the court has the right to modify the amount of child support.
At Advocate Law Firm, P.A., our child support attorney, Melissa A. Wilson, can assist you with all of your child support issues. Whether you are in the beginning stages of filing for child support or need help modifying a current child support order, our team is here to guide you.
Call (863) 644-5566 to set up a free consultation with our Bartow child support lawyer today.