Child Support Attorney in Brooksville, FL — Mulligan & Associates
Florida courts calculate child support using the income shares formula under Florida Statute § 61.30, which combines both parents’ net monthly incomes, time-sharing schedules, and costs for healthcare and childcare into a single guideline amount.
Christopher S. Mulligan, Esq., a Brooksville family law attorney with more than 17 years of practice in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, represents parents in Hernando County in child support establishment, modification, and enforcement proceedings under Florida Chapter 61.
Mulligan & Associates handles child support matters for parents in Brooksville, Spring Hill, Citrus Springs, and Homosassa Springs. Schedule a consultation by calling 352-593-5990 or submitting the contact form online.
How Florida Calculates Child Support in Hernando County
Florida child support is a court-ordered financial obligation calculated under the income shares model established by Florida Statute § 61.30. The income shares model estimates the total amount both parents would have spent on the child if they lived together, then divides that obligation proportionally based on each parent’s net monthly income and actual overnight time-sharing.
The Hernando County Circuit Court applies the statewide guideline schedule without exception.
A judge may deviate from the guideline amount by more than 5 percent only by entering a written finding explaining why the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate under Florida Statute § 61.30.
What Goes Into the Florida Child Support Calculation
| Factor | How It Affects the Obligation |
| Each parent’s monthly net income | Sets the baseline proportional share for each parent |
| Number of dependent children | Increases the combined basic obligation on the guideline schedule |
| Overnight time-sharing schedule | Adjusts each parent’s share based on the nights the child spends with each parent |
| Childcare costs due to employment | Added to the basic obligation under Florida Statute § 61.30(7) |
| Health insurance premiums | Added to the basic obligation under Florida Statute § 61.30(8) |
| Uncovered medical, dental, and prescription costs | Added proportionally to each parent’s share |
Mr. Mulligan reviews income documentation, time-sharing orders, and expense records before any filing, so the guideline calculation reflects the actual financial picture — not an approximation that leaves money on the table or exposes a parent to an inflated obligation.
What Child Support Covers in Florida
Child support in Florida covers the basic cost of raising a child — housing, food, clothing, and transportation — as established by the guideline schedule. Healthcare premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses are added to the basic obligation.
Childcare costs directly tied to a parent’s employment or job search are also added under Florida Statute § 61.30(7), provided those costs do not exceed the rate for licensed quality care.
How Much Does Child Support Cost to Establish or Modify in Hernando County
Florida family law attorneys in the Brooksville and Hernando County market typically charge between $254 and $500 per hour for child support representation, with total costs for a straightforward uncontested support matter ranging from $2,500 to $7,500, depending on complexity and whether the parties reach an agreement without a hearing.
Contested support matters — cases involving disputed income, hidden assets, self-employment income, or enforcement proceedings — carry higher total costs because they require additional discovery, hearings, and court filings.
Mr. Mulligan discusses fees and retainer requirements at the initial consultation, so parents understand the financial commitment before engaging representation.
Hernando County court filing fees for family law matters are set by the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court and are separate from attorney fees.
Modifying Child Support After a Hernando County Order
A Florida child support order does not automatically update when a parent’s income changes or a child’s circumstances shift. Either parent must file a petition for modification under Florida Statute § 61.14 and demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances to the Hernando County Circuit Court.
Under Florida Statute § 61.14 (2025), the court may modify an existing child support order when the difference between the current obligation and the recalculated guideline amount is at least 15 percent or $50 per month, whichever is greater.
A judge will not modify an order simply because one parent believes the amount is unfair — the statutory threshold must be met with documented evidence.
Circumstances That Qualify as a Substantial Change
A job loss, a documented reduction in income, a significant increase in a parent’s earnings, a change in the child’s healthcare costs, or a material shift in the overnight time-sharing schedule each constitutes grounds for a modification petition in the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
A parent who loses employment is not automatically excused from paying — the obligation continues to accrue until the court enters a modification order, which is why filing promptly matters.
Mr. Mulligan has handled modification proceedings in Hernando County since 2007 and files emergency motions when a parent’s financial circumstances require expedited court attention.
How Do Florida Courts Enforce Child Support in Hernando County
When a parent stops paying court-ordered child support in Florida, the obligation does not disappear — arrears accumulate and carry legal consequences for the non-paying parent.
Florida Statute § 61.12 authorizes the Hernando County Circuit Court to attach or garnish wages, salary, and other income to satisfy child support judgments.
Mr. Mulligan pursues enforcement through the mechanisms available under Florida Chapter 61, matched to the specific facts of each case.
Florida Child Support Enforcement Tools
| Enforcement Method | Governing Authority |
| Income deduction order (wage withholding) | Florida Statute § 61.1301 |
| Contempt of court proceedings | Florida Statute § 61.14 |
| Driver’s and professional license suspension | Florida Statute § 61.13015 |
| Property liens and bank account levies | Florida Statute § 61.14 |
| Tax refund intercept | Florida Department of Revenue, Chapter 409 |
| Passport denial | Federal enforcement, U.S. Department of State |
Income deduction orders are standard in all Florida child support cases under Florida Statute § 61.1301, requiring employers to withhold support directly from the paying parent’s paycheck within 10 days of receiving the order.
When income withholding is insufficient — or when a self-employed parent is concealing income — contempt proceedings under Florida Statute § 61.14 can result in fines, license suspension, and incarceration, and frequently lead to payment without a hearing.
Parents in Hernando County who have not received child support payments should document each missed payment, including the date and amount, before contacting an attorney. A documented payment history becomes the evidentiary foundation for an enforcement motion.
Contact Mulligan & Associates at 352-593-5990 if the other parent has stopped paying court-ordered support. The longer enforcement is delayed, the harder collection becomes.
When Does Child Support End in Florida
Florida Statute § 61.13 terminates child support when the child reaches age 18. One exception applies: a child who turns 18 while still enrolled in high school and who is making a good-faith effort toward graduation before age 19 remains eligible for support through graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.
Florida child support obligations do not terminate automatically — a parent who believes the obligation has ended should confirm the termination with the court to avoid continued withholding.
Mr. Mulligan handles support termination filings for parents in Hernando County and the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Florida calculate child support for parents in Hernando County?
Florida courts apply the income shares formula under Florida Statute § 61.30 (2025), combining both parents’ monthly net incomes with overnight time-sharing counts, childcare costs, and health insurance premiums. The resulting guideline amount is presumptively correct; a judge needs written findings to deviate by more than 5 percent.
What qualifies as a substantial change in circumstances for a child support modification in Florida?
Florida Statute § 61.14 (2025) requires the recalculated guideline amount to differ from the current order by at least 15 percent or $50 per month, whichever is greater. Qualifying changes include documented income loss, a raise, a shift in the overnight time-sharing schedule, or a change in the child’s healthcare costs.
Can a parent stop paying child support in Florida if they lose their job?
No. The obligation continues to accrue until the Hernando County Circuit Court enters a modification order under Florida Statute § 61.14. A parent who loses employment should file a modification petition immediately so the court can adjust the obligation; arrears cannot be retroactively forgiven.
What enforcement tools does a Florida court use when a parent stops paying child support?
Florida courts enforce child support through income deduction orders under Florida Statute § 61.1301, contempt proceedings under Florida Statute § 61.14, driver’s and professional license suspension under Florida Statute § 61.13015, property liens, bank levies, tax refund intercepts, and federal passport denial for significant arrears.
When does child support end in Florida?
Florida Statute § 61.13 terminates child support when the child reaches age 18. A child still enrolled in high school and on track to graduate before age 19 remains eligible through graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Florida child support obligations do not terminate automatically.
How much does a child support attorney cost in Hernando County, Florida?
Florida family law attorneys in the Hernando County market typically bill between $254 and $500 per hour for child support representation. A straightforward, uncontested matter may total $2,500 to $7,500. Contested matters involving disputed income or enforcement proceedings carry higher totals.
Can child support be collected if the other parent moves out of Florida?
Yes. Florida participates in the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, which allows Hernando County support orders to be registered and enforced in other states. Income deduction orders can be served on out-of-state employers, and federal passport denial applies regardless of where the non-paying parent lives.
What does child support cover in Florida beyond basic living expenses?
Under Florida Statute § 61.30 (2025), the basic obligation covers housing, food, clothing, and transportation. Health insurance premiums, uncovered medical and dental expenses, and childcare costs tied to a parent’s employment are added to the basic obligation, in addition to the guideline amount.
Does equal time-sharing eliminate child support in Florida?
No. Florida Statute § 61.13 (2025) states that an equal time-sharing order does not preclude the court from entering a child support obligation. The guideline formula accounts for overnight time-sharing percentages, so equal time-sharing adjusts the amount but does not automatically eliminate the obligation.
What happens if a self-employed parent underreports income to reduce child support?
The Hernando County Circuit Court may impute income to a self-employed parent based on earning capacity rather than reported income. Contempt proceedings under Florida Statute § 61.14 can compel detailed financial disclosure, and judges in the Fifth Judicial Circuit regularly require documentation of business income, expenses, and assets.
Your child’s financial future cannot wait for the other parent to decide to comply. Call Mr. Mulligan at 352-593-5990 or schedule a consultation — Hernando County families have trusted his representation since 2007.