Can Fathers Receive Child Support?

Historically, it seems that the mother was typically granted child support in divorce cases. However, in recent years there have been more fathers being granted primary custody and, as a result, being awarded child support. It is important to understand that fathers are just as entitled to child support as mothers. If you are going through divorce and you anticipate being granted custody of your children, it is important to understand all of a father’s rights in which you are entitled.

Child support is the money the non-custodial parent is ordered by the court to pay the custodial parent to help provide the care for the children. Child support payments should be used to pay for needs such as food, clothing, medical care, tuition and other similar expenses. There are a variety of factors the Florida courts will consider in determining the amount of child support to be paid.

What happens if the parents share custody and both are considered custodial parents? It can make the child support determination more difficult. In this type of situation, the court will typically rely heavily on the difference in the parents’ incomes to determine if support should be paid in a shared custody arrangement.

If your child’s mother will not agree to a child support arrangement without going to court, you can request a hearing before the judge to obtain a determination regarding child support payments. Whether support payments are agreed upon or made by court order, an agreement should be drafted and signed by both parents and approved by the judge. It is essential to obtain the help of a child support attorney to ensure that Florida’s guidelines are met and that your legal rights are protected.

Finally, once you have a child support agreement or order, if your ex-wife fails to make the required support payments she can be held in contempt of court. This means that you have the right to take legal action against her to enforce your rights.

Men often find it difficult to find a divorce attorney who understands the unique male perspective on family law matters. If you are facing divorce or you have other family law needs, our legal team is here to help. Contact the Men’s Divorce Law Firm to schedule a consultation with a caring professional, and aggressive advocate for men’s rights in divorce, child timesharing (custody), and paternity matters.