Child Support Lawyer
Determining a child support arrangement can be stressful for divorced parents. Our law firm can assist with this contentious process.
Contact attorney Donna J. Sutton if you need a child support lawyer in St. Petersburg, Bartow, or Lakeland, FL. She can provide the counsel you need.
Attorney Debra Sutton is board-certified to practice marital and family law. Less than 6% of all attorneys in the state undergo the rigorous certification process with the Florida Bar; fewer than 1% of Florida family law attorneys are board certified.
Listen to Joseph's Story How We Helped a Client with a Major Child Support Issue
Joseph was backed into a corner. He was hit with a request for 11 years of child support despite his ex never requesting payments in the past. On top of that, Joseph's ex had denied him access to his child the entire time. The situation was so dire that there was even a warrant out for Joseph's arrest. The whole case was simply not fair. Attorney Debra Sutton helped protect Joseph's current and future finances, ensuring the whole story was presented in an objective manner before family court.
Why Clients Choose Us for Child Support Cases What the Sutton Law Firm Can Offer You
Help From a Board-Certified Family Law Attorney
It takes time and a lot of work to become a board-certified marital and family law attorney in Florida. The process includes a peer review, written exam, and continuing legal education. Ms. Sutton is committed to excellence in her field.
Decades Practicing Family Law
Ms. Sutton started practicing law in 1989. Over the decades, she's helped many Floridians from different walks of life and with diverse legal needs. She brings decades of this knowledge and direct client interaction to every family law case.
A Collaborative Option for Dispute Resolution
Ms. Sutton knows that child support disagreements can get heated. That's why she offers mediation and collaborative approaches. These non-combative forms of dispute resolution spare everyone's feelings and avoid prolonged court battles.
Three Office Locations in Florida
The Sutton Law Firm has three locations throughout Polk County and Pinellas County, allowing us to assist a wide range of people in this part of Florida. We encourage you to visit our family law offices in Lakeland, Bartow, and St. Petersburg.
Speak With a Proven Attorney Contact Our Law Firm If You Need Help With a Child Support Dispute
If you are a divorced parent or planning on filing for divorce, you will likely encounter difficult legal problems that you can't handle alone. That's why you need child support attorney Debra J. Sutton on your side.
Ms. Sutton has helped many clients like you navigate complicated divorce and child support cases. She will review child support guidelines pertinent to your case and determine the best way to make sure your side is heard.
Contact our practice and speak to a lawyer about your family law needs today. You can request a consultation at one of our conveniently located offices in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow. Give us a call:
We'll Stand With You Throughout Your Case Clients From the Lakeland Area Share Their Experiences
serhiy barsukov
St Petersburg, FL
2024
Sutton Law Firm has personally helped me and my family in many situations. The team works together to create the best case for their clients. I will only use Sutton Law Firm in the future, they are the absolute best!
View on GoogleCalvin Dillard
Bartow, FL
2022
This firm has given me a new opinion on lawyers. Ms. Sutton and her team have helped me in ways hard to imagine. Number one lawyer in the continental US. Thank you
View on GoogleWhat Can Child Support Cover? Expenses Eligible for Assistance with Support Payments
Under Florida law, child support payments are only to be used for the care and benefit of your child. The parent who receives the payment makes the decision on what the payments are used for. Some examples of what child support can be used for include:
Expenses related to the care and health of your child are covered by child support. This includes doctor's visits, dental care, prescription medication, health insurance, and other costs needed to keep your child healthy.
An effective education is one of the most important factors when it comes to your child's future success. Tuition, payment for tutors, and prep classes for major tests can all be considered part of your child's education costs.
Necessities like mortgage payments, rent, utility bills, clothing, transportation, and other costs needed to give your child a happy and healthy home environment are usually factored into child support payments.
How Much Will I Receive or Pay? Key Factors That Determine Child Support Payment Amounts
Child support is the responsibility of every parent. To ensure children are provided for following a divorce or separation, the State of Florida has child support guidelines to determine each parent's financial responsibility. The amount is based on several factors, including:
Your Current Financial Resources
Your financial resources include salary or monthly income as well as your current assets. It also includes settlements, disability and social security benefits, and any other legal form of payment. From all of these income sources, the state determines a parent's financial obligation to their child.
Your Existing Time Sharing Arrangement
The court takes into account the amount of time each parent has the child in their care. This is called child custody in many states—in Florida, it's called time sharing. This percentage relates directly to the share of financial responsibility. If you have the majority of time with your children, you may be entitled to a greater amount of support.
The Cost of Raising Your Child
Child care costs include all the expenses involved in raising a child. This covers everything from basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, healthcare) to daycare, education, and extracurricular activities. In co-parenting situations, both parents can determine what essentials should be covered through support payments.
A Lawyer Can Help Advocate for You
It can be difficult to understand the calculation of child support payments. Ms. Sutton is here to answer your questions and advocate for an arrangement that serves your child's best interests. Parents throughout Polk County can turn to our lawyer for the board-certified counsel their cases deserve.
We Put You and Your Child's Interests First Sutton Law Firm Can Help You Today
If you're in the process of separating from your child's other parent, our Polk County attorney knows it can be a difficult time. Florida child support attorney Debra Sutton will guide you through your separation with sensitivity and care.
Ms. Sutton can also help if you're seeking child support back payments or if you need a post-judgment modification. It can be tempting to keep the same status quo, but if there has been a change in your financial situation or your former spouse's finances, it may be in the best interest of your child to revisit your child support agreement.
We have locations in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow, making us convenient for those in Pinellas and Polk counties. To speak with our child support lawyer, contact our offices online today or call:
(832) 533-8912
Helping Families in Good Times and Bad Why Parents Choose Our Law Firm for Their Legal Needs
"Great team, and everyone is so friendly. They've helped me out of dark times, very appreciative of the whole staff!" Isabela Meira da Costa
Helping Parents in Need Seek Child Support We Can Help Enforce Penalties for Late Child Support Payments
When issues arise, the Sutton Law Firm is committed to helping custodial parents throughout Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow, FL. This former client was a single mother of two young children who simply wanted her ex-husband to contribute his fair share to their children's upbringing. If your former spouse has failed to pay child support, our team can help ensure your child receives what they are owed for their development and fulfillment. Speak with a lawyer who understands what is at stake and why it matters.
Enforcing Child Support Agreements Making Sure the Payments Your Child Is Owed Are Made
If the other parent hasn't met their child support obligations, the Sutton Law Firm can help your household receive the payments owed and ensure your child has the best possible upbringing.
Seeking Delinquent Child Support
Whether you haven't received child support in a few months or more than a year, the Sutton Law Firm will help hold the other parent accountable. While we understand that financial circumstances change, that is no excuse for abandoning your child support obligations.
Felony Child Support Delinquency
The State of Florida takes child support obligations seriously. It is considered a felony if you owe $2,500 or more in unpaid child support after four consecutive months of non-payment. You can also be charged with a felony if you have a previous child support conviction or attempted to leave the state to avoid making child support payments.
Methods of Enforcement
Rather than jail time, penalties for late child support tend to involve methods of covering the payments that are owed. This could include garnishing wages, the seizure of property, seizure of bank accounts, withholding tax refunds, and suspension of business or occupational licenses.
Get the Help You Need From a Board-Certified Lawyer Contact the Sutton Law Firm to Discuss Your Case
Modifications and enforcement are two potentially contentious but necessary aspects of child support law. You need a lawyer who will address the realities of your situation while noting the binding language of a child support order.
If you feel like your child support arrangement fails to meet your children's needs or that you are being asked to pay an amount of child support that is beyond your means, contact the Sutton Law Firm today. During a consultation at our Lakeland, St. Petersburg, or Bartow offices, Debra Sutton can review your case and explain your options based on custody and other factors.
Give Our Law Offices a Call
(863) 533-8912
Top Reviews for Our Child Support Attorney Why Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow Choose the Sutton Law Firm
Steve Steiner
Lakeland, FL
2024
I have known Debra and Matt on both a professional and personal basis for a number of years, and have recommended Sutton Law Firm to others, based on their expertise and guidance on legal matters I have encountered, knowing they can --- and have --- done so for a multitude of clients. While other law firms may boast they are on the side of their clients, and I am sure those are, Debra and Matt and their incredible support staff "walk the walk "
View on GoogleHeather Eckert
Bartow, FL
2024
I highly recommend Sutton Law Firm. Attorney Sutton and all the staff truly care about working towards the best outcome for their client. They kept me well informed during my litigation and they were always responsive to any forms of communication. If you’re looking for an attorney AND a firm that will support you through the marathon of litigation, Sutton Law will help you every step of the way.
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Child Support vs. Alimony
Key Differences of Two Types of Support Payments
Although the two are sometimes confused for being the same thing, child support and alimony are two separate court orders. This is the differentiating factor:
- Child support is used to split the costs of raising a child.
- Alimony is paid specifically for the benefit of a former spouse after a divorce.
Alimony can provide income to make sure a spouse's standard of living does not drop dramatically after a divorce. You do not need to have children with a spouse in order to receive or be ordered to pay alimony.
If you are going through a divorce, our Lakeland-area law office can simultaneously provide legal advice and guidance on both alimony and child support.
Collaborative Law for Child Support Disputes
Reaching the Best Outcome While Minimizing Conflict
During a separation or divorce, you and your ex may be unable to agree on the terms of child support, custody, and other matters. In these situations, it can be useful to have a lawyer to assist in creating a collaborative resolution.
What Is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative law is a negotiation process that happens outside of court. Rather than arguing before a judge, you and your former spouse meet in a neutral setting, accompanied by your respective attorneys. Facilitators, consultants, and even mediators help guide a discussion between both parents. The focus is always on your child's best interests and arriving at a compromise.
Why Some Parents Choose Collaborative Law
When you and your attorney engage in communication with your child's other parent outside of court, it can make the process much faster and less stressful. That means you can save money on protracted courtroom battles over changes to net income and minutiae in your support order.
However, attorney Debra Sutton is not afraid to take a child support case to court if that is the best way to reach the right outcome.
A Different Kind of Family Law Firm Offering Legal Advice and Counsel to Florida Parents
"Ms. Sutton and her partners go above and beyond to take care of their clients and their difficult cases. She has been in the area for many years and has been a part of many high profile cases. I highly recommend Sutton Law Firm!" Melanie Carson
Child Support FAQ
The team at our Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow law offices answer numerous questions about child support, custody, and other family law matters for many clients. Below are some of the most common questions we receive from parents throughout Florida:
How long does child support last?
In most cases, child support obligations terminate when a child reaches the age of 18. It can be extended to the age of 19 if the child is still in high school. The exception is children with special needs who will need continued care through adulthood.
If you have more questions about your child support obligations and wish to speak to an attorney, contact Sutton Law Firm today. You can send us a message or request a consultation at our offices in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, or Bartow.
How are child support payments made?
Child support payments are made through the Florida Department of Revenue's State Disbursement Unit (SDU). These payments can be completed online, by mail, or via money transfer service. It will typically take four to seven business days for the payment to be processed.
What is temporary child support?
Temporary child support can be sought during the divorce process. These payments are intended to benefit the child while the divorce is unfolding. The stipulations of a temporary child support order will be followed until a permanent child support order is agreed upon and the divorce is finalized.
While temporary child support isn't necessary in all cases, it can help the custodial parent cover the costs of raising a child while a divorce is underway.
During a consultation at our law offices in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, or Bartow, we can review your divorce case and determine if temporary child support is worth pursuing.
Are vacations and travel covered by child support?
Child support is designed to cover fun and entertainment while growing up, which may include vacations and travel expenses.
Sometimes disputes arise between parents on how essential a trip may be, and could dovetail into disputes over parenting time.
The lawyers at our firm can help in these disagreements if they arise.
Can I seek child support for my unborn child?
As of now, child support does not explicitly apply to unborn children. In other words, children have to be born in order to receive child support.
The pregnant parent can petition to establish paternity, which can then lead to child support and parenting time arrangements. Family court will ultimately have the discretion to determine if prenatal care and associated medical costs will be awarded once paternity is established.
Have Additional Questions About Child Support? Contact Our Family Law Attorneys for More Information
Your child's best interests always come first. If you are currently in a child support dispute with your child's other parent, let our lawyer help you. We can assist with every aspect of your divorce, including child custody.
To discuss your child support issue with our team, contact the Sutton Law Firm today. We have offices in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow, FL.
(863) 533-8912
Lawyers Who Understand Child Custody More 5-Star Reviews for a Leading Florida Family Law Firm
Neil Goff
Lakeland, FL
2023
I highly recommend Sutton Law Firm. They are truly caring attorneys that take the time to listen and help explain the complexities of the law. The staff is truly exceptional. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine concern for clients is evident. Andrea Taylor has been a stand out and I appreciate all of their expertise and commitment to delivering top-notch legal services.
View on GoogleAnita Rodriguez
Bartow, FL
2023
I highly recommend Ms.Sutton to everyone. She has incredible knowledge and very professional. Her and her staff, the ladies at the office went above and beyond, listened to me and helped me and my children through a very difficult case. They are kind and caring human being. I am forever grateful to the Sutton Law firm.
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