If you share custody of your children with your former spouse or partner, it may impact the amount of child support that you owe. In the event that you receive child support, it may impact how much the child’s other parent pays you each month. Let’s take a look at the role that parenting time plays when a Florida judge crafts a child support order.
How many nights does a child spend with you?
In some states, equal parenting time means that a child spends exactly 182 nights with each parent. In others, it means that a child spends at least 123 nights with one parent during the course of a calendar year. It is important to note that the law generally doesn’t recognize hours spent with your child during the day as custody time.
Your income could influence a child support structure
The amount of time that your child spends with you can be a crucial fact in states where the income shares model is used. The income shares model says that each parent pays child support based on how much money he or she makes. Let’s say that you and your child’s other parent make $100,000 a year combined. If your personal income is $33,000 a year, you would be responsible for paying 33% of expenses related to raising your child. However, if your son or daughter spends half of his or her time with you, your support obligation may be adjusted to reflect that fact. In the event that the percentage of income model is used, a portion of your pay may go to the custodial parent without regard for how much time your child spends in your home.
If you feel as if you pay too much in child support each month, it may be possible to have a support order modified. Your attorney may be able to show that you deserve the modification because your child lives with you or for other reasons that a judge may find acceptable.
