If you recently separated from your spouse and are in need of financial assistance to care for your children, you may be entitled to collect child support during this separation period before the divorce process has been initiated. There are two ways you can go about collecting this support, given you qualify to receive it. The first way is to simply ask your child’s other parent if they can provide you with an amount that is enough to cover a portion of your child’s expenses.

There are times where despite what two parties might be going through or the status of their relationship, one will agree to pay the other parent money so their child’s needs can be met. If the two of you opt to come to an agreement together and without the assistance of the court, just know that your child’s other parent is not legally obligated to pay you this money until a court order has been issued. And that brings us to the second way you can recover child support while separated from your spouse.

You can submit an application for child support and given you meet the criteria to receive it, have a child support order issued that requires your child’s other parent to pay you. While you should definitely consider hiring a Hollywood, FL family law attorney to assist you with this who can later help you with your divorce, the Florida Department of Revenue does allow you to apply for child support services online.

Here’s how you can apply for child support online using the Florida Department of Revenue’s website:

1. The first thing you will need to do is visit the Child Support eServices website.
2. You will need to answer several different questions and will also need to provide some personal information.
3. Once the Child Support Program receives your information, you should be notified by mail when your case is open.
4. If the Child Support Program needs additional information from you, you can expect to be contacted by this agency. The agency says that it is extremely important that if you are asked to provide additional information, you do so in a timely manner.
5. After you have applied and the agency has opened a case for you, it is extremely important that you provide the Child Support Program with any updates to any of the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Phone
• Email
• Job
• If one or more of your children changed households.
• If you are living with the other parent.
• If you have become a victim of domestic violence by the other parent.
• If your child’s other parent goes to or is released from jail, leaves the country, or becomes deceased.
• If you no longer want the agency’s assistance.

Aside from applying for child support online, you also have the option of applying at your local child support office or by calling the Child Support Program at 850-488-5437 to request to receive an application in the mail. If you wish to visit a local office to apply and live in Hollywood, FL, the location that services this area can be found at:

1900 W. Commercial Blvd., Suite 190,

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-7134

Why should I hire a FL family law attorney to help me file for child support in the State of Florida?

There are many benefits to hiring a family law lawyer, especially when you are dealing with more than one family-related matter (i.e. applying for child support, filing for divorce, etc.). The first and most important benefit we must acknowledge is that an attorney is going to protect your interests and help you obtain an outcome that is in your favor. And right now, this may be exactly what you are needing seeing that you just separated from your spouse and are in need of financial help.

Another benefit you get when hiring an attorney who practices in family law in Hollywood, FL is that they can help you navigate the court system. From filling out the proper paperwork to getting it filed with the right department, your attorney is going to be there helping you each step of the way. Now, if you’d like to learn more about the services a family law attorney can provide you with and why it is in your best interest to hire a legal expert to help you, contact The Law Offices of Jodie Bassichis, P.A. to schedule an initial consultation.

Hollywood, FL family law lawyer Jodie Bassichis has helped clients in the past secure successful outcomes in their case and is ready to help you.

The Law Offices of Jodie Bassichis, P.A. is located at:

Jodie Bassichis, PA

4700 Sheridan Street, Suite J

Hollywood, Florida 33021

(954) 963-7300

jbassichislaw@gmail.com

www.FloridaDivorceSource.com