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Use our free Florida child support calculator to estimate the guideline child support amount from combined income, number of children, and overnights (time-sharing). It follows Florida's income shares model—the same core structure courts use under Florida Statute 61.30—with add-ons for child health insurance and childcare. Results are educational estimates, not legal advice.
Last updated: February 2, 2026
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20.0% time-sharing
Monthly Child Support
$1,681
per month
Based on Florida child support guidelines with 2 children. Combined monthly income of $9,000 results in a basic obligation of $2,250. Time-sharing adjustment applied based on 73 overnight stays per year (20.0%).
Legal Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on Florida child support guidelines. Actual court orders may vary based on additional factors and judicial discretion. Consult a Florida family law attorney for official calculations.
Calculation Method
Combined Income
Both parents' incomes combined
Threshold
20% or 73+ nights
Substantial time-sharing credit
Range
17.5% - 40%
Of combined monthly income
Included
Insurance + Care
Added to basic obligation
Division
Fair Split
Based on earning capacity
Standard
FL Statute 61.30
Court-recognized guidelines
In Florida, child support is the ongoing financial contribution parents make toward a child's housing, food, clothing, education, and ordinary needs after separation or divorce. The guideline amount is the figure produced by the statutory formula in Fla. Stat. § 61.30—courts start here before considering deviations for special circumstances.
The state uses an income shares approach: parents are expected to contribute in proportion to their earnings, as if the household were still intact. That makes the Florida child support guideline useful for budgeting, mediation, and understanding how time-sharing (overnights), health insurance, and work-related childcare shift the numbers.
This page does not replace an attorney or a court order. Always verify figures against current Florida guidelines and your specific case facts.
Florida's guideline calculation combines incomes, applies a percentage by child count, splits the obligation by each parent's share of income, then adjusts for overnights and add-on expenses. Below is how each piece fits together in plain language.
1) Combined monthly income
Combined = Parent A income + Parent B incomeIA, IB: Monthly gross income (as defined by statute), before support-specific adjustments in court.
2) Basic obligation
Basic obligation = Combined × guideline percentage for number of childrenPercentage (simplified schedule): 1 child 17.5% · 2 children 25% · 3 → 29% · 4 → 33% · 5 → 35% · 6+ → 40%.
3) Each parent's share of the basic obligation
ShareA = Basic obligation × (IA ÷ Combined)Higher earners fund a larger slice of the same total child need.
4) Time-sharing (overnights) adjustment
Credit increases when the payor has substantial or equal time with the childOvernights: Nights per year with Parent A (365 total). Substantial time-sharing often begins around 73 overnights (~20%). This tool applies a simplified adjustment consistent with the calculator logic above.
5) Add-ons: health insurance & childcare
Allocate premiums and work-related childcare by income share, then combine with supportHealth insurance = monthly cost for the child's coverage; childcare = necessary care tied to employment or education.
Follow these steps with a pencil, your pay stubs, and the statutory percentages. Round consistently; courts may use slightly different rounding or income definitions.
Three realistic snapshots using the same calculator logic. Figures illustrate how income, overnights, and add-ons move the monthly estimate.
Combined income is $7,700. For one child the guideline uses 17.5% of combined income toward the basic obligation. With under 73 overnights, this simplified model does not apply a substantial time-sharing credit—so support stays driven by income shares plus the health premium entered.
Estimated monthly support (higher earner → other parent): $869
Combined $12,000; basic obligation for two children uses 25%. Parent A has crossed into substantial time-sharing (≥73 overnights), so a credit reduces what would otherwise be owed compared to a sole physical custody pattern.
Estimated monthly support: $1,901
Identical income inputs as Scenario B, but 50/50 overnights. The larger time-sharing adjustment reflects both parents covering day-to-day costs during their weeks—often leaving a smaller transfer from the higher earner, though not always zero.
Estimated monthly support: $1,705
Side-by-side patterns: how combined income, child count, and overnight totals interact with this calculator's guideline-style estimate.
Use the table to see why time-sharing and income disparity are usually the biggest levers after the basic obligation is set.
| Pattern | Combined income | Children | Parent A overnights | Est. support (this tool) | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary residential parent (no substantial time-sharing) | $7,700 | 1 | 36 (~10%) | $869/mo | Below 73 overnights; no time-sharing credit in this model |
| Substantial time-sharing (≥73 overnights) | $12,000 | 2 | 100 (~27%) | $1,901/mo | Credit applies when overnight share is 20–50% |
| Equal time-sharing (50/50) | $12,000 | 2 | 182 (50%) | $1,705/mo | Larger adjustment when P1 has half the year |
Parents earning $5,000 and $4,000/month with 2 children
Monthly Child Support
$1,681
Based on Florida guidelines with time-sharing
Our Florida child support calculator uses the income shares model as defined in Florida Statute 61.30—the idea that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have if both parents lived in one household. For the full statutory breakdown of variables, see The Florida Child Support Formula Explained above; for pencil-and-paper instructions, use How to Calculate Florida Child Support (Step-by-Step).
Florida's income shares model is designed so that children receive fair financial support from both parents based on earning capacity. Combined gross income drives the guideline percentage; the number of children sets the percentage band; and time-sharing plus add-ons refine who effectively pays what each month.
Need help with other state child support calculations? Check our Illinois calculator, Minnesota calculator, and Tennessee calculator.
Get Custom Legal Calculator for Your PlatformThe same preset values shown in the calculator hero—ideal for seeing how each line item flows into the monthly estimate.
Key insight: time-sharing reduces the obligation
With 20% time-sharing (73 overnights), Parent 1 receives a credit for direct expenses during parenting time, reducing the monthly support obligation versus a sole physical custody pattern—see Real-World Examples and the comparison table above for more patterns.
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