Every child has a right to be cared for and financially supported by both parents. If a child’s parents are to separate, the noncustodial parent would be obligated to contribute to raising his or her child. That includes payment for the child’s basic necessities, medical care, and transportation, among others. However, there are misconceptions about what child support actually covers, such as daycare. All these expenses affect the bottom line, which is why it can quickly become a contested issue.
Our attorneys at The Law Offices of Jonny Kousa, P.L. are here to help you understand Florida’s child support laws and what’s included in the guidelines.
Do Florida Child Support Orders Include Daycare?
As a parent working towards a resolution, it’s important to place the child’s best interest at the forefront. Having that mindset prioritized can help remove any clouded emotions or judgment you may have towards the other parent and allow you to focus on what’s most important.
To answer your question about daycare, we’ll look at Florida Statute 61.30(7). It states that childcare costs such as daycare incurred as a direct result of one or both parties working, looking for work, or obtaining an education with the intent of becoming employed must be added to the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet.
If one of these instances applies to your situation, the courts will most likely see daycare costs a necessary part of your child support guidelines. Alternatively, if your scenario does not follow the requirements in the statute above, you may be able to ask that child care costs not be included. In some cases, one parent will enroll their child in daycare to have extra time and stay out of work. If you believe this may be the case, it’s important to inform your lawyer so that you can take the proper steps to ensure that you are paying or receiving a fair amount.
Contact a Broward County Child Support Lawyer
Daycare is an essential part of a child’s life for families with full time working parents and no other options for childcare. Our child support lawyer can help answer any questions you may have about the process and guide you to a resolution.
Contact us today by calling (954) 626-8071 to schedule a consultation with our skilled child support attorney.