Child support agreements are generally created at the time a couple divorces or when two unmarried parties decide to split who have a child together. During the time a child support order is active, both parties involved must abide by the terms set forth in it to ensure their child is properly taken care of. However, if certain circumstances do arise, a child support order can be terminated just as easily as it was created.

If you are currently paying child support to an ex-partner or spouse in the state of Florida and are wondering when a child support order can be terminated, below we explain two viable grounds for when this can happen.

1. When your custody agreement is modified. If, when you first got divorced, you were only granted a limited amount of time with your child but are now looking to increase that time so that it is equally divided among you and your ex-spouse, you may be eligible to have your child support payments modified or even stopped. While you are still required to provide for your child during the time he or she is with you, you may no longer be required to provide any monetary support to your child’s other parent if you both share the same amount of custody.

If you haven’t yet submitted the required documents to the court to get your child custody order modified to where your support payments would diminish, contact Hollywood, FL child custody attorney Jodie Bassichis who can assist you with the process as it can be rather confusing to navigate the court system on your own.

2. After your child reaches a certain age. When a child reaches the “age of majority,” which is when a “young person reaches the age where one is considered to be an adult,” child support payments generally stop [Source: National Conference of State Legislatures]. In the state of Florida, a parent is only obligated to pay child support until their child reaches the age of 18 or the disability of nonage is removed [Source: Florida Statute §61.14(9)]. Now, it is important that you understand that if your child support payments are terminated because your child has reached a certain age, it does not mean your “obligation to pay any arrearage, retroactive support, delinquency, or costs owed by the obligor” has been terminated.

It is equally important that you are aware of the terms stipulated in your child support order as the court does have the discretion to require a parent pay support even after a child has reached the age of 18. The last thing you want to do is default on a payment simply because you thought you were only expected to pay until your child reached the age of 18 yet the child support order stated otherwise.

I would like to find out more about getting a child support order terminated. Who do I contact?

If you live in Hollywood, FL or a neighboring city and are looking to obtain more information regarding getting a child support order terminated in Broward County, FL, contact The Law Offices of Jodie Bassichis, P.A. at 954-963-7300 to speak with a FL child support attorney. Our office can take a look at the current order that is active and determine what grounds you have to get your support payments reduced or even terminated.

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