How Remarriage And Additional Children Impact Child Support Payments In Pinellas County
Child support is a major issue in divorce and in cases involving unmarried parents. Obtaining a child support order in Pinellas County often requires tense negotiations. Once an agreement is reached, changes in marital status or additional children can disrupt these arrangements. Our Seminole child support attorney explains factors the court considers in these cases.
Determining Child Support In Pinellas County
Under the Florida Statutes, parents have a legal duty and a moral obligation to provide financially for their children. In cases involving divorce or unmarried parents, child support payments are often one of the most sensitive and hotly contested issues. While the law provides general guidelines, factors the court is likely to consider in determining amounts owed include:
- Each party’s individual income and assets;
- The amount of time the child spends in each parent’s home;
- The costs associated with caring for the child and the amount needed to ensure they maintain the same standard of living as they would have otherwise enjoyed if the parents remained together;
- Any special needs the child has, which may require additional financial support.
Once a child support order is in place, the total amount must be paid. Enforcement actions may include wage garnishment, asset seizure, property liens, and suspension of drivers and professional licenses. However, either parent has the right to request child support modifications in the event of a drastic change in circumstances.
When You Or The Other Parent Remarries Or Has Additional Children
Remarrying or having additional children represents a drastic change in your life. However, it is not always enough to warrant requesting a child support modification through the Pinellas County Family Court. The following details two issues frequently raised in these proceedings.
- Additional income due to remarriage:
- If you or your spouse remarry, the court does not factor the new step-parent’s income into your child support arrangements.
- If you have additional expendable income as a result, such as due to them paying half of the bills, the court may factor this into the amount of support that must be paid.
- The birth of additional children:
- Having additional children in and of itself does not warrant changes in child support.
- The birth of a child does not change the amount needed to provide for the financial needs of existing children.
- However, if you and your new partner, or a child support-paying ex, have a child with special needs, this could warrant modifications due to the extra care and costs involved.
To Protect Your Rights, Reach Out To Our Pinellas County Child Support Attorney
A new relationship or having additional children represents major changes in a person’s life. However, it does not necessarily impact the amount of child support that must be paid for children from prior relationships. To find out more about your options and to protect your rights in regard to these payments, reach out to The Reep Law Firm. Call or contact our Seminole child support attorneys and request a consultation today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html
mypinellasclerk.org/Home/Family
