Florida child support and alimony
Child support and alimony are related but distinct. Child support in Florida follows statutory guidelines based on incomes, timesharing, and certain expenses. Alimony, after recent statutory changes, follows its own framework of types, duration, and factors. The Bonderud Law Firm represents clients in establishing, modifying, and enforcing support obligations.
Child support
Guideline support is calculated from each parent’s net income and the timesharing schedule, with adjustments the statute allows for health insurance, child care, and other items. When a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income in appropriate cases. Modifications generally require a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances. We have written in more detail about guideline calculations, imputation of income, and how a new spouse may or may not affect the numbers.
Alimony
Florida’s alimony law has been amended in recent years. The court looks to need and ability to pay, and to the factors the current statute sets out, including the length of the marriage. Cohabitation and remarriage can affect an existing award. Because the statute has changed, advice that was sound a few years ago may not describe the law that applies to a case filed today. We apply the statute in effect, not a general impression of “how alimony used to work.”
Support issues are document-driven. Tax returns, pay records, and a complete financial affidavit matter. Call (904) 438-8082 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, or leave a message for the next business day. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Questions we are often asked
What are the office hours?
The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, at 2130 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32204. Messages left after hours or on weekends are reviewed the next business day. For urgent matters, call (904) 438-8082.
Does contacting the firm create an attorney-client relationship?
No. Submitting this form or calling the office does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information before an engagement is agreed. This website is general information, not legal advice.
Do you have more than one office?
No. The firm's only office is at 2130 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville. We represent clients throughout Florida, and in selected federal matters elsewhere, from that office.