Tampa Child Support Modification Lawyer
Practice Areas
When you need assistance modifying a child support arrangement, it’s important to find a trusted Tampa child support modification lawyer who has the best interests of the child in mind. At Quinn & Lynch, P.A., our family law attorneys have years of experience handling child support cases that involve modifying court orders. With extensive knowledge of Florida family law, we provide experienced legal help that helps parents modify child support orders.
Whether you’re the custodial parent needing a higher child support award or the other parent requesting a modification due to a significant change in circumstances, an experienced child support modification attorney in Tampa, FL, can help.
Our family law firm understands how a substantial change in circumstances after divorce can affect a parent’s ability to pay under the original child support order. We also understand how difficult it can be to have full child custody and feel as if you need a higher salary to provide for your children. Our lawyers can help petition the court, explain the significant change in circumstances in at least one parent’s life, and present evidence showing how a modification of child support is necessary.
Call (813) 223-7739 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a skilled Tampa child support modification attorney.
Reasons to Modify Child Support in Florida
There are many reasons to modify child support in Florida, whether a custodial parent needs an increased child support reward or the other parent needs a reduction in the current child support obligation due to a substantial change in circumstances.
Life circumstances can change quickly, and our Tampa child support modification attorney team works diligently to help parents get child support orders that reflect their new financial situation.
Understanding what Florida court considers a significant change in circumstances can help parents understand when they can request to modify court orders to have a child support arrangement that better suits the family’s needs.
Reasons to Increase Child Support
If you’re the custodial parent, you may petition the court for a modification to increase the child support amount if the other parent experiences a substantial change in their financial circumstances.
In Florida, a child support order may be increased for the following reasons:
- Increase in the Paying Parent’s Income – If the other parent receives a higher salary, new job, or financial windfall (such as lottery winnings or inheritance).
- Increased Medical Expenses – If the child develops a serious illness or disability or requires ongoing medical treatment.
- Change in Educational, Extracurricular, or Special Needs Costs – Rising costs for necessary educational expenses, sports, therapy, or other activities.
- Increased Cost of Living – Higher expenses for housing, food, childcare, or general necessities.
- Change in Child Custody or Parenting Time – If the other parent has more overnights, modifying child support orders might be warranted.
- Reduction in the Receiving Parent’s Income – If the custodial parent loses their job or experiences a financial hardship.
- Failure to Pay Court-Ordered Child Support – If the paying parent was underpaying or failing to cover required expenses such as health insurance.
To successfully petition the court for an increase in pay, the parent seeking the modification must prove a permanent, involuntary, and substantial change in circumstances that justifies the modification of child support. Our legal team can help you gather the evidence needed to prove your case and request an increase in the child support amount through the court.
What Factors Can Lower Child Support
If you’re the party seeking to lower a child support obligation in Florida, you’ll need to show substantial change in circumstances.
- Significant Decrease in Income – Job loss, income reduction caused by fewer hours, or involuntary pay cuts for the party seeking a reduction.
- Receiving Parent Remarries or Has Increased Income – If the custodial parent receives a raise, new job, or financial circumstances that reduce their need for financial support.
- Change in Child Custody or Parenting Time – If the person pursuing a reduction has more overnights, reducing their child support obligation.
- Child Reaches Age of Majority – When a child turns 18 (or 19 if still in high school), support may need to be recalculated for remaining children.
- New Child Support Guidelines – Recalculating support under Florida’s guidelines results in at least a 10% decrease from the existing order.
- Additional Financial Obligations – If the paying parent has more children.
- Change in Child’s Needs – If the child’s medical, educational, or childcare expenses significantly decrease.
- Paying Parent Becomes Disabled – If the paying parent suffers a medical disability that affects their ability to work and earn income.
The party seeking a reduction must prove a permanent, involuntary, and substantial change in circumstances to justify the modification. Our Tampa child support modification attorney team will assist you in presenting your child support case effectively and requesting a modification that fits your new financial situation.
Modify a Child Support Order in Tampa, Florida
When there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as income changes or changes in life circumstances change, modifying child support obligations may be necessary to better reflect their current situation. For those wishing to modify a child support order, a Tampa child support modification attorney can help ensure your request is processed smoothly.
Florida Child Support Modification Form
The parent seeking to modify child support obligations needs to complete and file a Supplemental Petition for Modification of Child Support. This is essential for formally requesting a change to the original child support order. It allows you to outline the substantial change in circumstances that justify modifying the existing order.
It’s important to include accurate details and any necessary evidence, such as proof of income changes or unexpected expenses. A child support modification lawyer in Tampa, FL, can help you prepare and submit the form to the court.
Florida Disbursement Unit
The Florida Disbursement Unit is the state’s main processing center for child support payments. When the court makes child support modifications, the Florida Disbursement Unit updates its records to reflect the new child support amount, ensuring all future payments are in accordance with the revised child support order.
How our Family Law Attorneys Assist With Child Support Modifications in Tampa, Florida
Our Tampa family law attorneys are dedicated to helping parents through the legal process of modifying child support orders with effective counsel. For parents needing to adjust child support payments, our child support modification attorneys in Tampa, FL, will work to ensure your family law case moves forward as smoothly as possible.
Florida Child Support Modification Process
The Florida child support modification process begins with determining whether a substantial change in circumstances justifies a modification. For many parents, this involves gathering evidence to support their request, such as proof of income changes, medical expenses, or job loss.
During the process, one parent must formally file a petition with the court to modify child support obligations, and the other parent will have the opportunity to respond. A court hearing may be scheduled to review the evidence and decide whether the requested modification is in the best interest of the child or children involved.
Our Tampa child support modification attorney team works closely with clients to prepare their petitions, gather necessary documentation, and represent them effectively during the process. Whether the modification is tied to a divorce or another family law matter, we’re here to help families achieve the best possible outcome for their child support case.
Other Ways a Tampa Child Support Lawyer Can Help
Our Tampa child support lawyers can assist with more than just modifying child support orders. We’re here to help cancel court orders when the time is right, enforce payments if the other parent isn’t paying, and even make changes to child custody arrangements. Whatever your situation, we’re ready to provide the legal guidance parents need to protect the best interests of their children.
Cancelling Child Support
There are specific circumstances in which parents may seek to cancel child support for college students in Florida or other situations where obligations no longer apply. You may be wondering, “How can a mother cancel child support in Florida when children reach the age of majority, are financially independent, or have other legal circumstances that end the obligation?”
The process requires filing a petition with the court to terminate the child support order and providing evidence to justify the request. Our child support lawyer team can guide you through this process, ensuring all paperwork is completed correctly and is in accordance with Florida family law.
Child Support Enforcement
When one parent falls behind on payments, our Tampa child support enforcement attorneys can help you recover child support arrears in Florida. Family law courts have several tools to address unpaid child support obligations, including wage garnishment, license suspension, and tax refund interception.
Additionally, the courts can impute income when a parent is underemployed or deliberately avoids work to reduce child support payments. Here, a judge will use imputed income for child support in Florida to calculate child support payments based on a higher salary the party is capable of earning.
Child Custody Modification
Changes in custody arrangements often affect child support obligations, making it essential to address both issues simultaneously. A Tampa custody modification lawyer can help you request adjustments to your court order to reflect a significant change in circumstances.
Whether you’re seeking more time with your child or responding to a request from the other parent, we’ll guide you through the legal process to help ensure the court considers your child’s best interests.
Tampa Child Support Modification Attorney
If your current child support order no longer fits your financial situation or the needs of your child, it’s time to take action. At Quinn & Lynch, P.A., a Tampa child support modification attorney can help you through every step of the process, from filing a request to representing your case in court.
Our legal team has years of experience helping families with child support modifications, custody modifications, and other family law issues. If you need to increase the child support amount, reduce your obligations, or enforce an existing order, we’re here to fight for the outcome that works best for you and your children.
Call (813) 223-7739 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Tampa child support lawyer today.
Contact Our Experienced, Dedicated Divorce & Family Law Lawyers Today
As a dedicated family law practice in the Tampa Bay area, we work one on one with our clients, resulting in representation that is characterized by genuine care and understanding. If you are dealing with divorce or other family law issues, please contact at 813-223-7739 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced family and divorce attorneys.
