• Learn the child support rules in Florida.Child image by Serenitie from Fotolia.com
  
  Child support is legally defined as a periodic payment that is made either directly or indirectly by one party (known as the obligor) to another party (known as the obligee) for the specific financial use of supporting a child. States have different laws for child support. Florida residents who may be involved in child support proceedings should know the laws that apply to them.
  
  

Factors in Determining Support

• In Florida, the court looks at four factors to determine the amount of child support an individual must pay: how much he earns each year, how much the other parent earns each year, the amount of children involved and the percentage of time a child is under each parent's care. Unlike some other states, Florida does not take a person's living expenses into account when determining how much child support she must pay.
  
  

Other Considerations

• Florida courts will consider other factors when determining child support. For instance, child support may be increased to pay for child care. Also, if a parent is attending school in order to obtain a better-paying job, he may have his child support obligation reduced until education is complete. Conversely, a parent receiving child support may receive more while attending school. And a child's medical expenses, if the child is not covered under insurance, can be taken into consideration when child support is assigned, possibly increasing the amount of the support.
  
  

Net Income Calculation

• Florida courts consider a parent's net income when determining how much child support she must pay. Net income is gross income minus certain allowable deductions. Gross income includes, but is not limited to, the following: salary, bonuses, disability benefits, workers' compensation, Social Security benefits, dividends, pension income and income from royalties or estates. The allowable deductions include, but are not limited to,mandatory union dues, other child support payments, federal insurance contributions, spousal support and mandatory retirement payments.