As we have discussed in this space many times, Florida has a guideline, a mathematical formula which determines the amount of child support which will be paid in divorce and paternity matters. These guidelines are more than just suggestions as to what the support might be. They are absolutely binding on the parents unless there is a justifiable reason to vary from the formula.

If a child has any sort of extraordinary need in this regard, it would be unfair to impose the normal child support guidelines upon the parents. For example, if you have a child who needs constant treatment and this requires continuing payments to healthcare or educational professionals, it would be unfair to treat this situation like the typical child support scenario.

Your expert St. Petersburg child support lawyer can tell you how to present this situation to the court for a review. Although it does not happen in every case, the court will listen to evidence as to child support guideline deviations.

Bottom Line: Not every child support case goes strictly by the child support guideline statute formula.

(copyright Stann Givens 2009)