Amendments to Florida Family Law Rules
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
Supreme Court of Florida ____________ No. SC02-377 ____________ AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE [May 30, 2002] PER CURIAM. The Family Law Rules Committee of The Florida Bar (Rules Committee) has filed an out-of-cycle petition to amend Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.200, Case Management and Pretrial Conferences, and Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. See Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.130(e). We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. In 2001, the Florida Legislature enacted extensive revisions to the Florida Adoption Act, some of which require amendments to rule 12.200. See ch. 2001-3, §§ 13, 16-17, 20, 31, Laws of Fla. (amending §§ 63.062, 63.087, 63.088, 63.097, and 63.212, Fla. Stat. (2001)). The Rules Committee filed the instant petition on an out-of-cycle basis because the statutory revisions became effective October 1, 2001. See ch. 2001-3, § 41, Laws of Fla. The Rules Committee also proposes amendments to Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e) based on 2001 amendments to section 61.30(11), Florida Statutes. See ch. 2001-158, § 16, Laws of Fla. Pursuant to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.130(e), the proposed changes were submitted to the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar for its recommendation. The Board unanimously approved the proposed changes. After reviewing the proposed amendments, we adopt the proposed changes to rule 12.200, Case Management and Pretrial Conferences, as submitted and set forth in Appendix A of this opinion. The new language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-through type. We adopt the proposed amendments to form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, with the modifications explained below. The current child support guidelines worksheet contains instructions, the guidelines chart, and directions within the form. Also, the current worksheet contains a nonlawyer section as required by rule 10-2.1 of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. The proposed form deleted these items. Without the instructions and guidelines chart, the form is not helpful to pro se litigants. Since adopting the family law rules and forms in 1995, this Court has consistently made an effort to assist pro se litigants in -2- family law cases by eliminating as much complexity as possible and drafting family law forms with instructional commentary and appendices. See In re Family Law Rules of Procedure, 663 So. 2d 1047, 1048 (Fla. 1995). This Court has emphasized that revisions should simplify the family law process for pro se litigants through the development of common sense rules and forms, understandable by both lawyers and pro se litigants alike. See Amendments to the Fla. Family Law Rules, 713 So. 2d 1, 2 (Fla. 1998)( Our goal must be to simplify the process. Otherwise, we deny many citizens meaningful and affordable access to the courts, particularly when so many of them are self-represented. ). Based on these principles, we modify the proposed form to include the instructions, guidelines chart, directions within the form, and nonlawyer section. We adopt the modified form as set forth in Appendix B of this opinion, engrossed and effective for immediate use. By approval of this form, we express no opinion as to its correctness or applicability, or on the substance of the new legislation. Because the legislative revisions affecting rule 12.200 and form 12.902(e) are already in effect, the amendments to the rule and form shall become effective immediately. Although the amendments are effective immediately, interested parties shall have until July 29, 2002, in which to file comments regarding these amendments. -3- This opinion and the form discussed herein may be accessed and downloaded from this Court's website at www.flcourts.org. Our thanks to the Rules Committee for their insight and commitment to improving the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure and forms. It is so ordered. WELLS, C.J., and SHAW, HARDING, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, LEWIS, and QUINCE, JJ., concur. THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. Original Proceeding - Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Honorable John C. Lenderman, Chair, Family Law Rules Committee, St. Petersburg, Florida; and John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, for Petitioner -4- RULE 12.200. (a) APPENDIX A CASE MANAGEMENT AND PRETRIAL CONFERENCES Case Management Conference. (1) Family Law Proceedings, Generally. A case management conference may be ordered by the court at any time on the court s initiative. A party may request a case management conference 30 days after service of a petition or complaint. At such a conference the court may: (A) schedule or reschedule the service of motions, pleadings, (B) set or reset the time of trials, subject to rule 12.440; (C) coordinate the progress of the action if complex litigation (D) limit, schedule, order, or expedite discovery; and other papers; factors are present; (E) schedule disclosure of expert witnesses and the discovery of facts known and opinions held by such experts; (F) exclusion of evidence; schedule or hear motions related to admission or (G) pursue the possibilities of settlement; (H) require filing of preliminary stipulations if issues can be narrowed; (I) refer issues to a master for findings of fact, if consent is obtained as provided in rules 12.490 and 12.492 and if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the process is involved in the case; -5- (J) refer the parties to mediation if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the mediation process is involved in the case and consider allocation of expenses related to the referral; or refer the parties to counseling if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the process is involved in the case and consider allocation of expenses related to the referral; (K) coordinate voluntary binding arbitration consistent with Florida law if no significant history of domestic or repeat violence that would compromise the process is involved in the case; (L) appoint court experts and allocate the expenses for the appointments; (M) refer the cause for a home study or psychological evaluation and allocate the initial expense for that study; (N) appoint an attorney or guardian ad litem for a minor child or children if required and allocate the expense of the appointment; and (O) schedule other conferences or determine other matters that may aid in the disposition of the action. (2) Adoption Proceedings. A case management conference shall be ordered by the court within 60 days of the filing of a petition when (A) there is a request for a waiver of consent to an adoption a termination of parental rights by those persons required to consent by section 63.062, Florida Statutes; (B) notice of the hearing on the petition to adoptterminate parental rights pending adoption is not being afforded a person whose consent is required but who has not consented; (C) there is an objection to venue, which was made after the waiver of venue was signed; -6- (CD) an intermediary, attorney, or agency is seeking fees or, costs, or other expenses in excess of those provided under sections 63.097 or 63.212(45), Florida Statutes; (DE) an affidavit of diligent search and inquiry is filed in lieu of personal service under section 63.088(4), Florida Statutes; or (EF) the court is otherwise aware that any person having standing objects to the adoptiontermination of parental rights pending adoption. (b) Pretrial Conference. After the action is at issue the court itself may or shall on the timely motion of any party require the parties to appear for a conference to consider and determine: (1) proposed stipulations and the simplification of the issues; (2) the necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings; (3) the possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of documents that will avoid unnecessary proof; (4) the limitation of the number of expert witnesses; and (5) any matters permitted under subdivision (a) of this rule. (c) Notice. Reasonable notice shall be given for a case management conference, and 20 days notice shall be given for a pretrial conference. On failure of a party to attend a conference, the court may dismiss the action, strike the pleadings, limit proof or witnesses, or take any other appropriate action. Any documents that the court requires for any conference shall be specified in the order. Orders setting pretrial conferences shall be uniform throughout the territorial jurisdiction of the court. (d) Case Management and Pretrial Order. The court shall make an order reciting the action taken at a conference and any stipulations made. The order shall control the subsequent course of the action unless modified to prevent injustice. -7- Commentary 1995 Adoption. This rule addresses issues raised by decisions such as Dralus v. Dralus, 627 So. 2d 505 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993); Wrona v. Wrona, 592 So. 2d 694 (Fla. 2d DCA 1991); and Katz v. Katz, 505 So. 2d 25 (Fla. 4th DCA 1987), regarding the cost of marital litigation. This rule provides an orderly method for the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of issues and promotes amicable resolution of disputes. This rule replaces and substantially expands Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.200 as it pertained to family law matters. Under this rule, a court may convene a case management conference at any time and a party may request a case management conference 30 days after service of a petition or complaint. The court may consider the following additional items at the conference: motions related to admission or exclusion of evidence, referral of issues to a master if consent is obtained pursuant to the rules, referral of the parties to mediation, referral of the parties to counseling, coordination of voluntary binding arbitration, appointment of court experts, referral of the cause for a home study psychological evaluation, and appointment of an attorney or guardian ad litem for a minor child. Committee Note 1997 Amendment. In In re Adoption of Baby E.A.W., 658 So. 2d 961 (Fla. 1995), and other cases involving protracted adoption litigation, it becomes clear that the earlier the issue of notice is decided by the court, the earlier the balance of the issues can be litigated. Because both parents constitutional standing and guarantees of due process require notice and an opportunity to be heard, this rule amendment will help solve the problems of adoption litigation lasting until a child s third, fourth, or even fifth birthday. Furthermore, this rule will encourage both parents to be more candid with intermediaries and attorneys involved in the adoption process. In E.A.W., 658 So. 2d at 979, Justice Kogan, concurring in part and dissenting in part, stated: I personally urge the Family Law Rules Committee . . . to study possible methods of expediting review of disputes between biological and adoptive parents. This rule expedites resolution of preliminary matters concerning due process in difficult adoption disputes. This rule also mandates early -8- consideration of the child s rights to due process at early stages of adoption litigation. Noncompliance with subdivision (a)(2) of this rule shall not invalidate an otherwise valid adoption. -9- APPENDIX B INSTRUCTIONS FOR FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES OF PROCEDURE FORM 12.902(e), CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES WORKSHEET When should this form be used? You should complete this worksheet if child support is being requested in your case. If you know the income of the other party, this worksheet should accompany your financial affidavit. If you do not know the other party s income, this form must be completed after the other party files his or her financial affidavit, and serves a copy on you. This form should be typed or printed in black ink. You should file the original with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where your case is filed and keep a copy for your records. What should I do next? A copy of this form must be mailed or hand delivered to the other party in your case, if it is not served on him or her with your initial papers. Where can I look for more information? Before proceeding, you should read General Information for Self-Represented Litigants found at the beginning of these forms. The words that are in bold underline in these instructions are defined there. For further information, see section 61.30, Florida Statutes. Special notes... If this is a domestic violence case and you want to keep your address confidential for safety reasons, do not enter the address, telephone, and fax information at the bottom of this form. Instead, file Petitioner s Request for Confidential Filing of Address, O Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.980(i). The chart below contains the guideline amounts that you should use when calculating child support. This amount is based on the number of children and the combined income of the parents, and it is divided between the parents in direct proportion to their income or earning capacity. From time to time, some of the amounts in the child support guidelines chart will change. Be sure you have the most recent version of the chart before using it. Because the guidelines are based on monthly amounts, it may be necessary to convert some income and expense figures from other frequencies to monthly. You should do this as follows: If payment is twice per month Payment amount à 2 = Monthly amount If payment is every two weeks Payment amount Yearly amount à ÷ 26 12 = = Yearly amount due Monthly amount If payment is weekly Weekly amount Yearly amount à ÷ 52 12 = = Yearly amount due Monthly amount If you or the other parent request that the court award an amount that is different than the guideline Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) amount, you must also complete and attach a Motion to Deviate from Child Support Guidelines, O Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.943. Remember, a person who is NOT an attorney is called a nonlawyer. If a nonlawyer helps you fill out these forms, that person must give you a copy of a Disclosure from Nonlawyer, O Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.900(a), before he or she helps you. A nonlawyer helping you fill out these forms also must put his or her name, address, and telephone number on the bottom of the last page of every form he or she helps you complete. Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES CHART Combined Monthly Available Income One Child Two Children Three Children Four Children Five Children 650.00 700.00 750.00 800.00 850.00 900.00 950.00 1000.00 1050.00 1100.00 1150.00 1200.00 1250.00 1300.00 1350.00 1400.00 1450.00 1500.00 1550.00 1600.00 1650.00 1700.00 1750.00 1800.00 1850.00 1900.00 1950.00 2000.00 2050.00 2100.00 2150.00 2200.00 2250.00 2300.00 2350.00 2400.00 2450.00 2500.00 2550.00 2600.00 2650.00 74 119 164 190 202 213 224 235 246 258 269 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 421 431 442 452 463 473 484 494 505 515 526 536 547 557 568 578 75 120 166 211 257 302 347 365 382 400 417 435 451 467 482 498 513 529 544 560 575 591 606 622 638 654 670 686 702 718 734 751 767 783 799 815 831 847 864 880 896 75 121 167 213 259 305 351 397 443 489 522 544 565 584 603 623 642 662 681 701 720 740 759 779 798 818 839 859 879 899 919 940 960 980 1000 1020 1041 1061 1081 1101 1121 76 123 169 216 262 309 355 402 448 495 541 588 634 659 681 702 724 746 768 790 812 833 855 877 900 923 946 968 991 1014 1037 1060 1082 1105 1128 1151 1174 1196 1219 1242 1265 77 124 171 218 265 312 359 406 453 500 547 594 641 688 735 765 789 813 836 860 884 907 931 955 979 1004 1029 1054 1079 1104 1129 1154 1179 1204 1229 1254 1279 1304 1329 1354 1379 Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) Six Children 78 125 173 220 268 315 363 410 458 505 553 600 648 695 743 790 838 869 895 920 945 971 996 1022 1048 1074 1101 1128 1154 1181 1207 1234 1261 1287 1314 1340 1367 1394 1420 1447 1473 Combined Monthly Available Income One Child Two Children Three Children Four Children Five Children Six Children 2700.00 2750.00 2800.00 2850.00 2900.00 2950.00 3000.00 3050.00 3100.00 3150.00 3200.00 3250.00 3300.00 3350.00 3400.00 3450.00 3500.00 3550.00 3600.00 3650.00 3700.00 3750.00 3800.00 3850.00 3900.00 3950.00 4000.00 4050.00 4100.00 4150.00 4200.00 4250.00 4300.00 4350.00 4400.00 4450.00 4500.00 4550.00 4600.00 4650.00 4700.00 4750.00 4800.00 4850.00 588 597 607 616 626 635 644 654 663 673 682 691 701 710 720 729 738 748 757 767 776 784 793 802 811 819 828 837 846 854 863 872 881 889 898 907 916 924 933 942 951 959 968 977 912 927 941 956 971 986 1001 1016 1031 1045 1060 1075 1090 1105 1120 1135 1149 1164 1179 1194 1208 1221 1234 1248 1261 1275 1288 1302 1315 1329 1342 1355 1369 1382 1396 1409 1423 1436 1450 1463 1477 1490 1503 1517 1141 1160 1178 1197 1215 1234 1252 1271 1289 1308 1327 1345 1364 1382 1401 1419 1438 1456 1475 1493 1503 1520 1536 1553 1570 1587 1603 1620 1637 1654 1670 1687 1704 1721 1737 1754 1771 1788 1804 1821 1838 1855 1871 1888 1287 1308 1328 1349 1370 1391 1412 1433 1453 1474 1495 1516 1537 1558 1579 1599 1620 1641 1662 1683 1702 1721 1740 1759 1778 1797 1816 1835 1854 1873 1892 1911 1930 1949 1968 1987 2006 2024 2043 2062 2081 2100 2119 2138 1403 1426 1448 1471 1494 1517 1540 1563 1586 1608 1631 1654 1677 1700 1723 1745 1768 1791 1814 1837 1857 1878 1899 1920 1940 1961 1982 2002 2023 2044 2064 2085 2106 2127 2147 2168 2189 2209 2230 2251 2271 2292 2313 2334 1500 1524 1549 1573 1598 1622 1647 1671 1695 1720 1744 1769 1793 1818 1842 1867 1891 1915 1940 1964 1987 2009 2031 2053 2075 2097 2119 2141 2163 2185 2207 2229 2251 2273 2295 2317 2339 2361 2384 2406 2428 2450 2472 2494 Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) Combined Monthly Available Income One Child Two Children Three Children Four Children Five Children Six Children 4900.00 4950.00 5000.00 5050.00 5100.00 5150.00 5200.00 5250.00 5300.00 5350.00 5400.00 5450.00 5500.00 5550.00 5600.00 5650.00 5700.00 5750.00 5800.00 5850.00 5900.00 5950.00 6000.00 6050.00 6100.00 6150.00 6200.00 6250.00 6300.00 6350.00 6400.00 6450.00 6500.00 6550.00 6600.00 6650.00 6700.00 6750.00 6800.00 6850.00 6900.00 6950.00 7000.00 7050.00 986 993 1000 1006 1013 1019 1025 1032 1038 1045 1051 1057 1064 1070 1077 1083 1089 1096 1102 1107 1111 1116 1121 1126 1131 1136 1141 1145 1150 1155 1160 1165 1170 1175 1179 1184 1189 1193 1196 1200 1204 1208 1212 1216 1530 1542 1551 1561 1571 1580 1590 1599 1609 1619 1628 1638 1647 1657 1667 1676 1686 1695 1705 1713 1721 1729 1737 1746 1754 1762 1770 1778 1786 1795 1803 1811 1819 1827 1835 1843 1850 1856 1862 1868 1873 1879 1885 1891 1905 1927 1939 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024 2037 2049 2061 2073 2085 2097 2109 2122 2134 2144 2155 2165 2175 2185 2196 2206 2216 2227 2237 2247 2258 2268 2278 2288 2299 2309 2317 2325 2332 2340 2347 2355 2362 2370 2157 2174 2188 2202 2215 2229 2243 2256 2270 2283 2297 2311 2324 2338 2352 2365 2379 2393 2406 2418 2429 2440 2451 2462 2473 2484 2495 2506 2517 2529 2540 2551 2562 2573 2584 2595 2604 2613 2621 2630 2639 2647 2656 2664 2354 2372 2387 2402 2417 2432 2447 2462 2477 2492 2507 2522 2537 2552 2567 2582 2597 2612 2627 2639 2651 2663 2676 2688 2700 2712 2724 2737 2749 2761 2773 2785 2798 2810 2822 2834 2845 2854 2863 2872 2882 2891 2900 2909 2516 2535 2551 2567 2583 2599 2615 2631 2647 2663 2679 2695 2711 2727 2743 2759 2775 2791 2807 2820 2833 2847 2860 2874 2887 2900 2914 2927 2941 2954 2967 2981 2994 3008 3021 3034 3045 3055 3064 3074 3084 3094 3103 3113 Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) Combined Monthly Available Income One Child Two Children Three Children Four Children Five Children Six Children 7100.00 7150.00 7200.00 7250.00 7300.00 7350.00 7400.00 7450.00 7500.00 7550.00 7600.00 7650.00 7700.00 7750.00 7800.00 7850.00 7900.00 7950.00 8000.00 8050.00 8100.00 8150.00 8200.00 8250.00 8300.00 8350.00 8400.00 8450.00 8500.00 8550.00 8600.00 8650.00 8700.00 8750.00 8800.00 8850.00 8900.00 8950.00 9000.00 9050.00 9100.00 9150.00 9200.00 9250.00 1220 1224 1228 1232 1235 1239 1243 1247 1251 1255 1259 1263 1267 1271 1274 1278 1282 1286 1290 1294 1298 1302 1306 1310 1313 1317 1321 1325 1329 1333 1337 1341 1345 1349 1352 1356 1360 1364 1368 1372 1376 1380 1384 1388 1897 1903 1909 1915 1921 1927 1933 1939 1945 1951 1957 1963 1969 1975 1981 1987 1992 1998 2004 2010 2016 2022 2028 2034 2040 2046 2052 2058 2064 2070 2076 2082 2088 2094 2100 2106 2111 2117 2123 2129 2135 2141 2147 2153 2378 2385 2393 2400 2408 2415 2423 2430 2438 2446 2453 2461 2468 2476 2483 2491 2498 2506 2513 2521 2529 2536 2544 2551 2559 2566 2574 2581 2589 2597 2604 2612 2619 2627 2634 2642 2649 2657 2664 2672 2680 2687 2695 2702 2673 2681 2690 2698 2707 2716 2724 2733 2741 2750 2758 2767 2775 2784 2792 2801 2810 2818 2827 2835 2844 2852 2861 2869 2878 2887 2895 2904 2912 2921 2929 2938 2946 2955 2963 2972 2981 2989 2998 3006 3015 3023 3032 3040 2919 2928 2937 2946 2956 2965 2974 2983 2993 3002 3011 3020 3030 3039 3048 3057 3067 3076 3085 3094 3104 3113 3122 3131 3141 3150 3159 3168 3178 3187 3196 3205 3215 3224 3233 3242 3252 3261 3270 3279 3289 3298 3307 3316 3123 3133 3142 3152 3162 3172 3181 3191 3201 3211 3220 3230 3240 3250 3259 3269 3279 3289 3298 3308 3318 3328 3337 3347 3357 3367 3376 3386 3396 3406 3415 3425 3435 3445 3454 3464 3474 3484 3493 3503 3513 3523 3532 3542 Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) Combined Monthly Available Income One Child Two Children Three Children Four Children Five Children Six Children 9300.00 9350.00 9400.00 9450.00 9500.00 9550.00 9600.00 9650.00 9700.00 9750.00 9800.00 9850.00 9900.00 9950.00 10000.00 1391 1395 1399 1403 1407 1411 1415 1419 1422 1425 1427 1430 1432 1435 1437 2159 2165 2171 2177 2183 2189 2195 2201 2206 2210 2213 2217 2221 2225 2228 2710 2717 2725 2732 2740 2748 2755 2763 2767 2772 2776 2781 2786 2791 2795 3049 3058 3066 3075 3083 3092 3100 3109 3115 3121 3126 3132 3137 3143 3148 3326 3335 3344 3353 3363 3372 3381 3390 3396 3402 3408 3414 3420 3426 3432 3552 3562 3571 3581 3591 3601 3610 3620 3628 3634 3641 3647 3653 3659 3666 Instructions for Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE IN AND FOR JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: Division: , Petitioner, and , Respondent. NOTICE OF FILING CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES WORKSHEET PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that {name} , is filing his/her Child Support Guidelines Worksheet attached and labeled Exhibit 1. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that a copy of this Notice of Filing with the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet was [ / one only] ( {date} ) mailed ( ) faxed and mailed ( ) hand delivered to the person(s) listed below on . Other party or his/her attorney: Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Fax Number: Date: Signature of Party Printed Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone Number: Fax Number: Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES WORKSHEET A. FATHER B. MOTHER TOTAL 1. Present Net Monthly Income Enter the amount from line number 27, Section I of O Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(b) or (c), Financial Affidavit. 2. Basic Monthly Obligation There is (are) {number} minor child(ren) common to the parties. Using the total amount from line 1, enter the appropriate amount from the child support guidelines chart. .% 3. Percent of Financial Responsibility .% Divide the amount on line 1A by the total amount on line 1 to get Father s percentage financial responsibility. Enter answer on line 3A. Divide the amount on line 1B by the total amount on line 1 to get Mother s percentage financial responsibility. Enter answer on line 3B. 4. Share of Basic Monthly Obligation Multiply the number on line 2 by the percentage on line 3A to get Father s share of basic obligation. Enter answer on line 4A. Multiply the number on line 2 by the percentage on line 3B to get Mother s share of basic obligation. Enter answer on line 4B. Additional Support Health Insurance, Child Care & Other 5a. 75% of Monthly Child Care Costs [Child care costs should not exceed the level required to provide quality care from a licensed source for the child(ren). See section 61.30(7), Fla. Stat. for more information.] 5b. Total Monthly Child(ren) s Health Insurance Cost [This is only amounts actually paid for health insurance on the child(ren).] 5c. Total Monthly Child Care & Health Costs [Add lines 5a+5b] 6. Additional Support Payments Multiply the number on line 5c by the percentage on line 3A to determine the Father s share. Enter answer on line 6A. Multiply the number on line 5c by the percentage on line 3B to determine the Mother s share. Enter answer on line 6B. Statutory Adjustments/Credits 7a. Monthly child care payments actually made 7b. Monthly health insurance payments actually made 7c. Other payments/credits [See § 61.30 (11)(a), Florida Statutes] 8. Total Support Payments actually made [Add 7a through 7c] 9. MINIMUM CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION FOR EACH PARENT [Line 4 plus line 6; minus line 8] Substantial Shared Parenting (GROSS UP METHOD) If the noncustodial parent exercises visitation at least 40 percent of the overnights in the year (146 overnights in the year), complete Nos. 10 through 21 10. Basic Monthly Obligation x 150% [ Multiply line 2by 1.5] Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02) CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES WORKSHEET A. FATHER B. MOTHER TOTAL 11. Increased Basic Obligation for each parent Multiply the number on line 10 by the percentage on line 3A to determine the Father s share. Enter answer on line 11A. Multiply the number on line 10 by the percentage on line 3B to determine the Mother s share. Enter answer on line 11B. % 12. Percentage of overnight stays with each parent % The child(ren) spend(s) overnight stays with the father each year. Using the number on the above line, multiply it by 100 and divide by 365. Enter this number on line 12A. The child(ren) spend(s) overnight stays with the mother each year. Using the number on the above line, multiply it by 100 and divide by 365. Enter this number on line 12B. 13. Parent s support multiplied by other Parent s percentage of overnights [Multiply line 11A by line 12B. Enter this number in 13A. Multiply line 11B by line 12A. Enter this number in 13B.] Additional Support Health Insurance, Child Care & Other 14a. Total Monthly Child Care Costs [Child care costs should not exceed the level required to provide quality care from a licensed source for the child(ren). See section 61.30(7), Fla. Stat. for more information.] 14b. Total Monthly Child(ren) s Health Insurance Cost [This is only amounts actually paid for health insurance on the child(ren).] 14c. Total Monthly Child Care & Health Costs [Add lines 14a+14b] 15. Additional Support Payments Multiply the number on line 14c by the percentage on line 3A to determine the Father s share. Enter answer on line 15A. Multiply the number on line 14c by the percentage on line 3B to determine the Mother s share. Enter answer on line 15B. Statutory Adjustments/Credits 16a. Monthly child care payments actually made 16b. Monthly health insurance payments actually made 16c. Other payments/credits [See § 61.30 (11)(a), Florida Statutes] 17. Total Support Payments actually made [Add 16a through 16c] 18. Total Additional Support Transfer Amount [Line 15 minus line 17; Enter any negative number as zero] 19. Total Child Support Owed from Father to Mother 20. Total Child Support Owed from Mother to Father 21. Actual Child Support to Be Paid. [Subtract the smaller amount owed from the larger amount owed and enter the result in the column for the parent that owes the larger amount of support] $ -or- $ IF A NONLAWYER HELPED YOU FILL OUT THIS FORM, HE/SHE MUST FILL IN THE BLANKS BELOW: [ N fill in all blanks] I, {full legal name and trade name of nonlawyer} , , {city} , a nonlawyer, located at {street} {state} , {phone} , helped {name} , who is the [ / one only] petitioner or respondent, fill out this form. Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.902(e), Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (5/02)
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
