How To Ensure You Get The Child Support You Are Entitled To In Tampa

If you are getting a divorce or otherwise raising children in a one-parent home, child support is a major consideration. Getting the appropriate amount helps to ensure your child has what they need to thrive. Our Tampa child support lawyer explains some of the basic costs that should be covered and how to make sure you receive the total amount you are entitled to.

Common Types of Expenses In A Tampa Child Support Order

Parenting a child when you and the other party are divorced or separated is never easy. In addition to determining each parent’s rights regarding child custody and time-sharing, child support needs to be addressed as well. It can help you offset basic expenses while making sure your child has what they need to succeed in life.

The best way to ensure you get the amount of child support in Tampa you are entitled to is to get a formal order. Child support proceedings are included when getting a divorce or may be initiated in cases involving single parents once paternity is established. Under the Florida Statutes, common types of expenses that a child support order in Tampa may cover include:

• Living expenses: This includes housing, food, clothing, and personal hygiene items.
• Health care expenses: This includes visits to your family doctor, any testing, treatment, or other care, school physicals, immunizations, and regular vision and dental exams.
• Educational expenses: This includes textbooks and other school supplies, calculators, laptops, and other electronics, lab fees, student uniforms, and tuition for private schools or tutors as needed.

Couples are generally encouraged to negotiate child support arrangements with the help of their legal representatives. This allows for more personalized plans based on the situation. Otherwise, a judge will decide based on both parents’ income, the child’s needs, and state guidelines.

How To Enforce Child Support Payments In Tampa

In addition to ensuring you get the maximum amount of child support in Tampa allowed by law, having a formal child support order in place helps in making sure these payments are made. If the other parent fails to pay the total amount or runs behind on child support payments, a warrant may be issued for their arrest. Other enforcement actions may be taken through the Florida Department of Revenue, including:

• Wage garnishment;
• Seizure of assets, such as money in bank accounts;
• Seizure of certain government benefits, tax refunds, and state lottery winnings;
• Liens on personal property, such as their home or car;
• Suspension of their driver’s license or professional licenses they hold for their job.

Even if the other parent attempts to evade payment by quitting their job, a judge can impute an amount based on their education, experience, and prior income.

Contact Our Tampa Child Support Lawyer Today

At Bubley & Bubley, P.A., we help Tampa parents get the total amount of child support they are entitled to. To get the caring support and trusted, professional legal representation you need, call or contact our office. Request a consultation with our Tampa child support lawyer today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html

floridarevenue.com/childsupport/Pages/default.aspx