This is the next article in my series on the rights of married parents who are going through a Florida divorce. My last article discussed the fact that married parents have equal parental rights in Florida. This means that each parent has an equal right in regard to education, health care, etc. An attorney can help one to understand how these equal rights can create tension during a divorce. In this article, I will be discussing how child custody and support may impact alimony and other parts of divorce proceedings. If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today speak with a divorce and custody lawyer.
Alimony can impact how child support is calculated in Florida
Financial obligations can quickly become intertwined when married parents are going through a divorce. Parents often ask the question “does alimony impact child support?” In our state, the answer can be “yes.” This is due to the fact that when one spouse pays alimony to the other, it is considered a reduction in the paying spouse’s income and an increase in the receiving spouse’s income. Child support, in turn, is calculated, in part, on the income of each spouse. This means that the payment of child support (among other things) can impact how spousal support is calculated in our state. The Court’s final determination of support obligations will always depend on the specifics of the case.
The foregoing is best explained through example. Suppose John earns $150,000 per year and is ordered to pay $25,000 per year to his spouse, Jane, as part of their divorce proceedings. Jane has income of $50,000 from employment. The parties will share their two children equally under a child custody order, which the Court enters. When determining the income of each party, for purposes of calculating child support, the Court will view John’s income as $125,000 ($150k – $25k in alimony) and Jane’s income as $75,000 ($50k + $25k in alimony). There are other factors which the Court may consider as well. While overly simplified, this example shows how alimony can impact spousal support in Florida.
Contact an attorney to discuss how alimony and child support may be calculated in a given case
If you are a married parent and are ending a divorce then it is suggested that you speak with an attorney to determine how alimony and child support may be calculated in your case. Counsel will have experience in dealing with how such matters are viewed by the Court and will give you objective and honest advice as to what you should expect. One of the more difficult aspects of navigating post-divorce life is having one’s finances in order. Experienced counsel can help to ensure that the next stage of your life starts out on track.
If you are in need of assistance then contact my office today to speak with a Melbourne divorce and custody lawyer. I understand that this is an uncertain time in your life. My office is devoted to ensuring that all of our clients receive the highest level of representation. We look forward to speaking with you. We also serve those in the Florida areas of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant, Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid.