Does Child Support in Florida End if a Child Gets a Job?
As a parent paying child support, it is understandable if you cannot help but wonder when your child support obligation will end. Child support can sometimes financially strain the paying parent. For example, if you have multiple responsibilities beyond child support or income constraints, child support can create financial strain. One of the things you might be wondering is whether child support ends if a child gets a job. This is a common question we, as family law attorneys, get from child support obligors. If you are wondering if child support in Florida ends if a child gets a job, read on as we shed light on this topic.
Does Child Support in Florida End if a Child Gets a Job?
It is a common misconception that once a child gets a job, the obligor parent is no longer required to pay child support. After all, shouldn’t a child with a job be able to support themselves? In Florida, a child getting employed typically does not affect a parent’s child support obligations. Child support is a crucial component of ensuring a child’s needs are met. Child support is based on a child’s dependency and age and not on whether or not they are employed. However, child support obligations may end or be modified if a child becomes financially independent and is no longer dependent on their parents.
Because family laws are complicated, it is best to seek the advice of a qualified family law attorney. An attorney can assess your situation and provide guidance depending on the specific details of your case.
When Does Child Support End in Florida?
In many cases, child support obligations in Florida end when a child turns 18. This is true even for children who get a job before the age of 18. However, there are situations where child support can end before a child turns 18. There are also situations where a parent may be required to continue paying child support even after a child has reached the age of 18.
According to Florida law, child support can continue until the age of 19 if a child turns 18 before graduating from high school. If a child graduates after turning 18 but before their 19th birthday, child support ends upon graduation. In a case where a child is not on track to graduate from high school by the time they reach 19, child support will end at the age of 18. If a child has special needs, child support could continue indefinitely.
Circumstances when child support in Florida could end before a child turns 18 include when a child enters the military before turning 18 and when they get married before the age of 18. In such situations, it is assumed that the child is no longer being supported by their parents. Also, when a minor child is emancipated (i.e., granted the rights and statuses of an adult), a parent is not required to keep paying child support. In such a case, it is assumed that the emancipated child is supporting themselves.
Contact an Orlando Child Support Lawyer
If you have questions about Florida child support laws, contact our experienced Orlando child support lawyers at the Arwani Law Firm.
