Gabriela J. Matthews & Associates, P.A.

The Court bases the amount of child support payable on the needs of the child and the financial circumstances of the parents. The Court must apply mandatory guidelines in determining the appropriate amount of child support, unless the use of these guidelines would not meet the reasonable needs of the child in a particular case.

The Court only upon a showing of change of circumstances that directly affects the child?s welfare may modify Child support awards. The Court may award possession of real estate (usually the family home) as part of child's support. Child support is payable until: (1) child is emancipated or (2) child turns eighteen except if the child is still in primary or secondary school when he reaches age eighteen, then the Court can order support to continue until he graduates or reaches age 20, whichever comes first. The Court has no authority over rights of children after they are emancipated. Parents are free to legally bind themselves by agreement relating to obligations regarding children after emancipation.