Florida Child Support Changes

With the 2010 changes to the Florida child support law, child support orders now provide that support terminates on the child’s 18^th birthday. There are two exceptions:

•    The child has been legally emancipated by court order

•    The parents agree on a different termination date

This is a significant change because the new law deleted the extension of child support until the high school graduation so long as it was expected before the 19th birthday. This does not mean that you can agree to end child support BEFORE the child turns 18.

In any event, for children who will continue in high school past their 18^th birthday, your Parenting Plan must be clear if you will extend support payments through graduation. There are simple ways to work around this change and continue to provide support through high school. We've taken care of that for you in the DIY Divorce Parenting Plan.  

Stay tuned - there are even more changes to Florida child support coming on January 1, 2011. Subscribe to our RSS reader (over there on the side) to be notified of new posts on the DIY Divorce in Florida blog.

Comments

[Chris Johns]

I have been paying child support for ten years through an IDO in Orange Co.,FL. My daughter turned eighteen last month. My son turned eighteen three years ago. My child support payment amount did not change when my son turned eighteen. Have I legally overpaid child support for the past three years?
Also, now that my support obligation is over, my ex has come forward with years of bills from uncovered medical expenses and co-payments that she says I owe her. She has not presented me with any bills for the past five or six years. She has waited until the end to present these bills to me and has asked the court to extend my support payments until the amount is paid. Can she do this and get away with it? We have a meeting with a General Magistrate in two weeks for what was supposed to be a simple agreement to end the IDO.
Any advice would be so appreciated.

Thank you,