What You Need to Know About Child Support in Florida

If you receive a letter from the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) about child support, do not ignore it. The DOR can open and enforce a child support case with or without your participation. Failing to respond may result in large retroactive support payments, higher monthly amounts, and severe consequences, including license suspension. Request a hearing, stay involved, and seek legal guidance early to protect your rights and your relationship with your child.

Child support is one of the most important—and often most confusing—parts of family law. In Florida, the Department of Revenue (DOR) is responsible for managing many child support cases. Whether you’re receiving your first letter or trying to modify an existing order, it’s essential to understand how the process works—and why prompt action is crucial.

How the Child Support Process Begins

A child support case can start in two main ways:

• One parent asks the state for help
• One parent applies for state benefits (like SNAP or Medicaid), which automatically opens a case

In either situation, the DOR can open and manage a case without a court hearing and without the consent of the other parent. This is referred to as an administrative process, which begins with an official letter.

Why You Must Respond

If you get a letter from the DOR, don’t ignore it. The child support process will proceed regardless of whether you participate or not. If you don’t respond, the state may assume you’ve provided no support and order you to pay retroactive child support going back months or even years.

This is especially dangerous if:

• You’ve already been helping informally
• You’re providing part-time care
• You’re unaware that benefits triggered the case

To protect yourself, you must request an administrative hearing right away. This gives you a chance to show proof of any support you’ve provided and share your side of the story.

How Child Support Is Calculated

Florida uses specific guidelines to calculate child support. It’s based on:

• Net income (after tax and medical insurance deductions only)
• The number of children
• Time-sharing (how much time each parent spends with the child)
• Health insurance and childcare costs

If you don’t speak up or submit your financial information, the state will calculate support without your input, which could lead to unfairly high payments.

What If You Need to Make a Change?

If your income drops, you lose your job, or your family situation changes, you may be eligible to modify your child support. But you can’t just agree informally with the other parent. Modifications must go through the court or DOR process to be legal.

It is extremely difficult to change or erase retroactive support, so it’s critical to act early before those amounts are locked in.

What Happens If You Don’t Pay?

Falling behind on child support in Florida has serious consequences:

• If you owe more than $2,500, your driver’s license or passport may be suspended
• You may face wage garnishment
• In some cases, jail time is possible

The state bases your ability to pay on your income and assets—not your monthly bills or spending.

FAQs

Q1: What should I do if I get a letter from the DOR?
Request an administrative hearing right away and talk to a family law attorney. Ignoring the letter could lead to back payments and higher monthly obligations.

Q2: Can I modify my child support amount?
Yes, but only through a formal legal process. You must file for a modification through the court or the Department of Revenue. Private agreements are not legally binding.

Q3: What if I already support my child informally?
The court won’t know about it unless you provide proof during the hearing. If you don’t respond, the state won’t count that informal support when calculating payments.

Zaneta Matthews is a family law attorney based in Orlando, Florida. She helps clients navigate child support, divorce, custody, and collaborative family law with clarity and compassion. Zaneta is a member of Collaborative Divorce Central Florida and the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals, focused on peaceful, practical solutions that protect families.

📞 Need help with a child support case? Call Zaneta Matthews at (407) 630-8959 to schedule your consultation.