Daly v. Daly, 939 So.2d 1118 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006) Daly v. Daly 3rd_dca 2006 The modification threshold under FL 61.30(1)(b) requires BOTH a 15% AND a $50 change from the current guideline amount before a court may modify child support. Both prongs must be satisfied. Father sought modification of child support based on income increase of the mother. Court held that both the percentage and dollar threshold must be met simultaneously. Critical for pro se litigants: if your calculated new support differs by 15% but less than $50 (or vice versa), the court will deny modification. neutral To modify child support in Florida, the new calculated amount must differ from the current order by at least 15% AND at least $50 per month. Both conditions must be true at the same time. Para modificar la pensión alimenticia en Florida, el nuevo monto calculado debe diferir del orden actual en al menos un 15% Y al menos $50 por mes. Ambas condiciones deben ser verdaderas al mismo tiempo. True Regan v. Regan, 88 So.3d 379 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012) Regan v. Regan 3rd_dca 2012 The threshold calculation under FL 61.30(1)(b) is based on the guideline amount at the time of the prior order, compared to the guideline amount if calculated today using current incomes. The court may not modify support merely because one party's income changed without recomputing the full guidelines. The comparison is always: current guideline amount vs. recalculated guideline amount using today's incomes. Do not compare against what is actually being paid. neutral When asking for a modification, you compare what the court would order TODAY (using current incomes and the FL schedule) to what the court ordered THEN. Use the guidelines formula, not just the income change. Al solicitar una modificación, compare lo que el tribunal ordenaría HOY (usando ingresos actuales y el horario de FL) con lo que el tribunal ordenó ENTONCES. Use la fórmula de pautas, no solo el cambio de ingresos. True Barner v. Barner, 933 So.2d 1264 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006) Barner v. Barner 4th_dca 2006 When imputing income to a voluntarily unemployed or underemployed party, the court must consider the party's historical earning pattern, lifestyle, and assets to determine the income the party could earn if making reasonable efforts to obtain employment commensurate with education and experience. If the other party quit a good job or is working part-time by choice, you can ask the court to count what they COULD earn, not what they are earning. petitioner If the other parent quit their job or took a lower-paying job on purpose, the court can calculate child support based on what they SHOULD be earning — using their work history, education, and lifestyle — not just what they report earning now. Si el otro padre renunció a su trabajo o tomó uno de menor pago a propósito, el tribunal puede calcular la manutención infantil basándose en lo que DEBERÍA estar ganando, usando su historial laboral, educación y estilo de vida. True Sitterson v. Sitterson, 566 So.2d 85 (Fla. 1st DCA 1990) Sitterson v. Sitterson 1st_dca 1990 A court may impute income to a party based on the prevailing minimum wage if the party is voluntarily unemployed and there is no finding of disability or other good cause for unemployment. Minimum wage is the floor for imputation; the court will not find zero income for an able-bodied unemployed party unless truly disabled. petitioner If the other parent says they have no income and are not disabled, the court will assume they can at least earn minimum wage and calculate support from that amount. Si el otro padre dice que no tiene ingresos y no está discapacitado, el tribunal asumirá que al menos puede ganar el salario mínimo y calculará la manutención desde ese monto. True Smith v. Department of Revenue, 784 So.2d 534 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001) Smith v. Dep't of Revenue (Self-Emp.) 3rd_dca 2001 For self-employed obligors, gross income for child support purposes includes all income from the business minus legitimate business expenses, as reflected on Schedule C or equivalent business returns. Unexplained cash receipts and perquisites may be added back as income. Self-employed parents cannot hide income in business expenses. The court will look at lifestyle, cash flow, and perks (car, meals, phone) to determine true income. petitioner When the other parent owns a business, the court will look at ALL money going through the business — not just what they report as salary. Business perks like a company car or paid meals can count as income for support calculations. Cuando el otro padre es dueño de un negocio, el tribunal examinará TODO el dinero que fluye a través del negocio, no solo lo que reportan como salario. Los beneficios empresariales como un auto o comidas pagadas pueden contar como ingresos. True Young v. Young, 876 So.2d 625 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004) Young v. Young 3rd_dca 2004 In determining income for a self-employed obligor, the court should examine cash flow analysis rather than tax returns alone, particularly when the business owner has the ability to control reported income through business expenses, depreciation, or timing of income recognition. Ask for 3 years of tax returns AND bank statements for all accounts. The difference between cash deposited and income reported is powerful evidence. petitioner Tax returns alone don't tell the whole story for self-employed parents. The court should look at actual bank deposits to see how much money they truly brought in. Request all bank statements in discovery. Las declaraciones de impuestos por sí solas no cuentan toda la historia para los padres que trabajan por cuenta propia. El tribunal debe examinar los depósitos bancarios reales para ver cuánto dinero realmente recibieron. Solicite todos los estados de cuenta bancarios en el descubrimiento. True Freid v. Freid, 946 So.2d 596 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006) Freid v. Freid 3rd_dca 2006 When a parent exercises substantial timesharing (more than 73 overnights per year), FL 61.30(11)(b) requires application of the substantial timesharing formula, which accounts for the increased duplicated expenses of two-household parenting. The court must use this formula when the threshold is met. If you have the children more than 73 nights per year (about 20%), you are entitled to the substantial timesharing credit, which can significantly reduce your child support obligation. respondent If you have the children overnight more than 73 times a year (about every other weekend plus extra), Florida law requires a special formula to calculate support that gives you credit for the extra costs of having the children at your home. Si tiene a los niños de noche más de 73 veces al año (aproximadamente cada dos fines de semana más extra), la ley de Florida requiere una fórmula especial para calcular la manutención que le da crédito por los costos adicionales de tener a los niños en su hogar. True Kennedy v. Kennedy, 622 So.2d 1033 (Fla. 3d DCA 1993) Kennedy v. Kennedy 3rd_dca 1993 A parent may not unilaterally reduce child support based on an informal agreement about timesharing. Only a court order modifying the support obligation through the FL 61.30(11)(b) formula or otherwise is legally effective. Arrears accrue on the original order until modified. Never stop paying or reduce your payments based on a verbal agreement. You will owe the full original amount plus arrears until a court actually changes the order. petitioner You cannot reduce or stop child support payments just because you and the other parent agreed verbally. Arrears will build up from the original order until a judge officially changes it. Always get changes approved by the court. No puede reducir ni dejar de pagar la manutención infantil solo porque usted y el otro padre acordaron verbalmente. Los atrasos se acumularán desde la orden original hasta que un juez la cambie oficialmente. Siempre obtenga cambios aprobados por el tribunal. True Conlin v. Conlin, 720 So.2d 1131 (Fla. 3d DCA 1998) Conlin v. Conlin 3rd_dca 1998 Evidence of domestic violence is a factor in determining the best interests of the child and the appropriate parenting plan. The court must consider documented domestic violence in fashioning a timesharing arrangement and may grant sole parental responsibility to the non-abusive parent. If there is domestic violence, it is relevant to EVERY aspect of the parenting plan. Document all incidents (police reports, restraining orders, medical records, texts) and bring them to court. petitioner Evidence of abuse can change the entire parenting plan. The court must consider domestic violence when deciding who the children live with and who makes decisions for them. Keep records of all incidents — police reports, photos, messages, medical records. La evidencia de abuso puede cambiar todo el plan de crianza. El tribunal debe considerar la violencia doméstica al decidir con quién viven los niños y quién toma decisiones por ellos. Guarde registros de todos los incidentes: informes policiales, fotos, mensajes, registros médicos. True Kahle v. Kahle, 993 So.2d 1063 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008) Kahle v. Kahle 3rd_dca 2008 A party claiming domestic violence must present specific and credible evidence at the hearing. Generalized allegations without supporting documentation may be insufficient to support an award of sole parental responsibility based solely on domestic violence. You MUST bring documentation — police reports, injunction records, photos, witness statements. Verbal testimony alone may not be enough. depends Saying there was domestic violence is not enough — you must prove it with evidence like police reports, emergency room records, restraining orders, or witnesses. General claims without proof may not change the parenting arrangement. Decir que hubo violencia doméstica no es suficiente: debe probarlo con evidencia como informes policiales, registros de sala de emergencias, órdenes de restricción o testigos. Las afirmaciones generales sin pruebas pueden no cambiar el arreglo de crianza. True Lindsey v. Lindsey, 997 So.2d 399 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008) Lindsey v. Lindsey 3rd_dca 2008 A default final judgment may be entered against a respondent who fails to file a response to a family law petition within 20 days of service under Rule 1.140. The respondent may seek to vacate the default by showing excusable neglect and a meritorious defense, but must do so promptly. If the other party was properly served and has not answered in 20 days, you can get a default. Move quickly — once a default is entered, the other party must show a good excuse and a valid defense to undo it. petitioner If the other parent was officially served with your court papers and does not respond within 20 days, you can ask the court for a default. This means the court can rule in your favor without the other parent's participation. Si el otro padre fue notificado oficialmente con sus documentos del tribunal y no responde dentro de 20 días, puede pedirle al tribunal una falta de comparecencia. Esto significa que el tribunal puede fallar a su favor sin la participación del otro padre. True North v. North, 780 So.2d 1228 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001) North v. North 3rd_dca 2001 Even in a default proceeding, the court must independently apply the FL 61.30 child support guidelines and may not simply award the amount requested in the petition if it exceeds the guideline amount. The court retains authority to set support at the guideline amount regardless of the default. Even if you win by default, the court will still calculate child support using the official guidelines. You cannot get more than what the guidelines produce. neutral Even when you win a default because the other parent did not show up, the judge must still use the Florida child support formula to set the amount. You will not automatically get more money just because they didn't respond. Incluso cuando gana por falta de comparecencia porque el otro padre no se presentó, el juez debe usar la fórmula de manutención infantil de Florida para establecer el monto. No obtendrá automáticamente más dinero solo porque no respondieron. True Fults v. Fults, 369 So.2d 422 (Fla. 3d DCA 1979) Fults v. Fults 3rd_dca 1979 The Florida six-month residency requirement for dissolution of marriage under FL 61.021 is a jurisdictional prerequisite that must be established at the time the petition is filed. The petitioner must be a bona fide resident of Florida for the preceding six months. You must have lived in Florida for 6 months BEFORE you file. If you just moved here, you must wait 6 months. Filing too early may result in dismissal. neutral To file for divorce or child support in Florida, you must have lived in the state for at least 6 months before you file. Moving to Florida and filing the next day will not work — you must wait the full 6 months. Para presentar una demanda de divorcio o manutención infantil en Florida, debe haber vivido en el estado durante al menos 6 meses antes de presentar. Mudarse a Florida y presentar el siguiente día no funcionará: debe esperar los 6 meses completos. True Maddox v. Maddox, 758 So.2d 1256 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000) Maddox v. Maddox 3rd_dca 2000 Completion of the court-ordered parenting education course under FL 61.21 is a mandatory prerequisite to entry of a final judgment in cases involving minor children, absent a specific finding of good cause for waiver. The final judgment may not be entered until both parties have completed the course. Both parents must complete the parenting course BEFORE the judge can sign the final order. Do not wait — complete it early to avoid delaying your case. neutral Both you and the other parent must complete a state-approved parenting class before the judge will finalize your case involving children. This is required by law in Florida, not optional. Complete it as soon as possible to avoid delays. Tanto usted como el otro padre deben completar una clase de crianza aprobada por el estado antes de que el juez finalice su caso con niños. Esto es requerido por ley en Florida, no es opcional. Complételo lo antes posible para evitar demoras. True Pimm v. Pimm, 601 So.2d 534 (Fla. 1992) Pimm v. Pimm fl_supreme 1992 The standard for modification of child support under FL 61.14 is a showing of a substantial change in circumstances since the last order. The change must be significant, material, involuntary, and permanent in nature. A temporary income fluctuation does not justify modification. The income change must be real and ongoing — not just a bad month. Job loss can justify modification, but must be involuntary (layoff, not quitting) and expected to last. neutral To change child support, you must show a real, lasting change in circumstances — like losing your job involuntarily or a permanent pay cut. A temporary dip in income, or a voluntary job change to lower pay, typically will not be enough. Para cambiar la manutención infantil, debe mostrar un cambio real y duradero en las circunstancias, como perder su trabajo de manera involuntaria o una reducción permanente de salario. Una caída temporal en los ingresos, o un cambio voluntario de trabajo a menor paga, generalmente no será suficiente. True El Kohen v. El Kohen, 760 So.2d 318 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000) El Kohen v. El Kohen 3rd_dca 2000 Retroactivity of a child support modification under FL 61.30(17) is limited to the date of the filing of the motion to modify. A court may not retroactively reduce support for periods before the filing date, and the party seeking modification bears the burden of demonstrating entitlement to retroactive relief. File your modification motion as soon as circumstances change. You can only get a retroactive reduction to the date you filed — not before. depends If you file to reduce child support, the reduction can only go back to the date you actually filed the motion — not to when your income first dropped. File as soon as possible to protect yourself from continuing to owe the old (higher) amount. Si solicita reducir la manutención infantil, la reducción solo puede retrotraerse a la fecha en que realmente presentó la moción, no a cuando sus ingresos cayeron por primera vez. Presente lo antes posible para protegerse de seguir debiendo el monto antiguo (más alto). True Department of Revenue v. Smith, 717 So.2d 192 (Fla. 3d DCA 1998) Dep't of Revenue v. Smith (Above-Schedule) 3rd_dca 1998 When combined net income exceeds the schedule maximum ($10,000/month), the court must apply a percentage formula rather than the schedule. The court retains discretion to deviate from the guideline amount with findings, but must begin the calculation using the prescribed formula. When incomes are high (over $10,000/month combined), the guidelines work differently. The court starts with a formula and may deviate with written findings. neutral When both parents together earn more than $10,000 a month, the standard Florida support table doesn't have a number — the court uses a percentage formula instead. This often leads to higher support amounts. Cuando ambos padres juntos ganan más de $10,000 al mes, la tabla estándar de manutención de Florida no tiene un número; el tribunal usa una fórmula de porcentaje en su lugar. Esto a menudo conduce a montos de manutención más altos. True Mercer v. Raine, 443 So.2d 944 (Fla. 1983) Mercer v. Raine (Discovery Sanctions) fl_supreme 1983 Florida courts have broad authority under Rule 1.380 to impose sanctions for discovery violations, including striking pleadings, entering default, excluding evidence, and awarding attorneys' fees. The sanction must be proportionate to the violation. If the other party refuses to produce financial documents, keep asking — and file a Motion to Compel. The court can award you attorney's fees and even strike the other party's pleadings for repeated violations. petitioner If the other parent refuses to hand over financial records (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements), you can ask the court to order them to do so. If they still refuse, the court can penalize them — including making them pay your legal costs or even entering a judgment against them. Si el otro padre se niega a entregar registros financieros (talones de pago, declaraciones de impuestos, estados de cuenta bancarios), puede pedirle al tribunal que los obligue a hacerlo. Si aún se niegan, el tribunal puede sancionarlos, incluso obligarlos a pagar sus costos legales. True State, Department of Revenue v. Chambers, 727 So.2d 1053 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999) Dep't of Revenue v. Chambers (Emancipation) 3rd_dca 1999 Child support terminates automatically upon a child's 18th birthday unless the child is still in high school, in which case support continues until graduation or the child's 19th birthday, whichever occurs first. An affirmative motion or court order is not required for termination due to age, but is required to adjust the amount for remaining children. When a child turns 18 (or graduates high school), you may still owe for any other children on the order. File a modification motion immediately to recalculate for remaining children. respondent When your child turns 18 (or finishes high school, whichever is later), child support for that child automatically ends. BUT if you have other children on the same order, you must file to have the amount recalculated — it does not automatically drop for the remaining children. Cuando su hijo cumple 18 años (o termina la escuela secundaria, lo que sea posterior), la manutención infantil para ese hijo termina automáticamente. PERO si tiene otros hijos en la misma orden, debe presentar una solicitud para que el monto sea recalculado; no cae automáticamente para los hijos restantes. True Abdool v. Boneman, 128 So.3d 915 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013) Abdool v. Boneman (Fee Waiver) 4th_dca 2013 A determination of indigent status for purposes of fee waiver under FL 57.082 is made by the clerk of court and is reviewable by the trial court. Applicants below 200% of the federal poverty level are presumptively eligible. The clerk's denial is subject to judicial review. If the clerk denies your fee waiver application, you can ask the judge to review that decision. Bring proof of income and household size to the hearing. petitioner If you cannot afford the court filing fee and the clerk denies your fee waiver application, you can ask the judge to review that decision. Bring proof of your income and everyone living in your household to show you qualify. Si no puede pagar la tarifa de presentación del tribunal y el secretario niega su solicitud de exención de tarifas, puede pedirle al juez que revise esa decisión. Traiga prueba de sus ingresos y de todos los que viven en su hogar para mostrar que califica. True Kielbania v. Kielbania, 783 So.2d 386 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001) Kielbania v. Kielbania 3rd_dca 2001 Florida courts may require parties to attend mediation under FL 44.102 before setting a family law matter for trial. Failure to attend court-ordered mediation may result in sanctions. Parties who cannot afford mediator fees may apply for fee reduction or waiver under FL 44.108. Most family courts require mediation before a final hearing. If you cannot afford the mediator, apply for a fee waiver at the same time as your court filing fee waiver. neutral Most family courts require you to try mediation (meeting with a neutral mediator) before a judge hears your case. If you cannot afford the mediator's fee, apply for a reduction or waiver at the same time you apply for the court filing fee waiver. La mayoría de los tribunales de familia requieren que intente la mediación (reunión con un mediador neutral) antes de que un juez escuche su caso. Si no puede pagar la tarifa del mediador, solicite una reducción o exención al mismo tiempo que solicita la exención de la tarifa de presentación del tribunal. True Department of Revenue v. Lopez-Cruz, 809 So.2d 1133 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002) Dep't of Revenue v. Lopez-Cruz (Withholding) 3rd_dca 2002 Income withholding under FL 61.1301 is mandatory in all child support orders unless the court finds good cause to deviate based on written findings. The withholding order must be served on the employer and is immediately effective. Employer failure to withhold may result in direct liability to the payee. Every child support order must include an income withholding order served on the employer. The employer is legally required to deduct the support from each paycheck and send it to the FL SDU. petitioner Florida law requires that every child support order include an income withholding order that goes directly to the employer. The employer must take the support amount out of every paycheck and send it to the Florida State Disbursement Unit. The paying parent cannot opt out of this. La ley de Florida requiere que cada orden de manutención infantil incluya una orden de retención de ingresos que vaya directamente al empleador. El empleador debe tomar el monto de la manutención de cada cheque de pago y enviarlo a la Unidad de Desembolso del Estado de Florida. El padre que paga no puede optar por no participar en esto. True Rolfe v. Rolfe, 638 So.2d 253 (Fla. 4th DCA 1994) Rolfe v. Rolfe 4th_dca 1994 Modification of child support may be made retroactive to the date of filing the petition for modification under FL 61.30(17). The court may not award retroactive support for periods before the filing date, but must consider whether retroactivity to the filing date is appropriate given the circumstances. The filing date of your motion is the earliest date any change in support can take effect. File promptly — arrears cannot be forgiven for periods before filing date without consent. neutral Any change in child support — up or down — can go back to the date you filed your court papers, but not before that. If you needed a reduction for the past 6 months but did not file until today, you will owe the full old amount for those 6 months. Cualquier cambio en la manutención infantil, ya sea aumento o disminución, puede retrotraerse a la fecha en que presentó sus documentos del tribunal, pero no antes. Si necesitaba una reducción durante los últimos 6 meses pero no presentó hasta hoy, deberá el monto completo anterior por esos 6 meses. True Department of Revenue v. Cummings, 871 So.2d 1076 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004) Dep't of Revenue v. Cummings (Disclosure) 3rd_dca 2004 Mandatory disclosure under Rule 12.285 requires the exchange of financial documents within 45 days of service of the initial petition. Failure to comply may result in sanctions including striking pleadings, exclusion of evidence, or contempt. The documents must be actually exchanged — filing with the court alone is insufficient. You must exchange financial documents with the other party within 45 days of service. Keep a record of what you sent and when (certified mail or email with receipts). neutral Within 45 days of the other parent receiving your court papers, BOTH parents must share their financial documents (tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements). You must actually send them to the other person — putting them in the court file alone is not enough. Keep proof that you sent them. Dentro de los 45 días posteriores a que el otro padre reciba sus documentos del tribunal, AMBOS padres deben compartir sus documentos financieros (declaraciones de impuestos, talones de pago, estados de cuenta bancarios). Debe enviarlos realmente a la otra persona; poner solo en el archivo del tribunal no es suficiente. Guarde prueba de que los envió. True Boykin v. Boykin, 843 So.2d 317 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003) Boykin v. Boykin 3rd_dca 2003 In establishing a parenting plan, the court must evaluate the 20 best interest factors set forth in FL 61.13(3). No single factor is determinative, and the court must consider the totality of the circumstances. The child's primary bond and established routine are important considerations. To argue for more timesharing, you must address multiple factors from the FL 61.13(3) list. Bring evidence for each one that is relevant to your situation (school records, medical records, a log of your time with the children). depends When a judge decides where children should live and how often each parent sees them, the judge must consider 20 different factors about what is best for the children — not just what each parent wants. Come to court prepared to show evidence for each factor that applies to your situation. Cuando un juez decide dónde deben vivir los niños y con qué frecuencia cada padre los ve, el juez debe considerar 20 factores diferentes sobre lo que es mejor para los niños, no solo lo que cada padre quiere. Venga al tribunal preparado para mostrar evidencia de cada factor que aplica a su situación. True