- Call for a
Confidential Consultation - 954-587-2244
- Email Us
-
Originally published: February 2021 | Updated: February 2026 | Reviewed by Scott A. Levine
If you are dealing with child custody or child support in Fort Lauderdale or Broward County, outcomes usually depend on a clear parenting plan, accurate support inputs, and enforceable court orders.
Levine Family Law helps protect timesharing and decision-making, calculate support correctly, and pursue enforcement or modifications when circumstances change.
When you are in the middle of a custody or support dispute, it can feel like every conversation turns into conflict. Schedules change, messages get ignored, expenses pile up, and your child is stuck in the middle.
Our job is to restore structure quickly, with parenting plans that work in real life, defensible support numbers, and clear next steps.
Whether you are establishing custody, modifying an order, or enforcing one that is being violated, we focus on what the court needs to see and what your child needs to feel.
Stability, consistency, and accountable parenting. If you want clarity and a plan you can trust, call 954-587-2244 or request a confidential consultation online.
In Florida, child custody is handled through a parenting plan that sets timesharing and parental responsibility. Courts apply best-interest standards with a focus on stability and practical logistics.
The same judge-centered analysis that drives outcomes is explained in Florida Child Custody Factors.
Florida’s parenting plan and timesharing framework is set by Florida Statutes §61.13, which outlines parental responsibility, time-sharing, and the best-interests standard courts apply.
When custody is contested, the conflict often surfaces in the smallest moments. pick-ups, school emails, doctor visits, weekend swaps, and holiday handoffs. A parenting plan should not feel like a vague promise. It should read like an operating system for your child’s life, with clear rules that reduce friction and give the court something enforceable when cooperation breaks down.
Most repeat disputes are not about love. They are about ambiguity. Specific terms prevent the usual pressure points from turning into ongoing litigation.
| Component | What It Decides | Why It Matters |
| Timesharing schedule | Weeknights, weekends, overnights | Predictable routine |
| Holiday schedule | Major holidays and school breaks | Avoids annual disputes |
| Transportation | Exchange locations and responsibilities | Reduces conflict points |
| School decisions | Enrollment, access, meetings | Preserves stability |
| Medical decisions | Providers, consent, emergencies | Protects child care |
| Communication | Calls, apps, response expectations | Lowers escalation |
| Relocation and travel | Moves, notice, travel permissions | Prevents surprises |
Florida child support typically follows statutory guidelines based on both parents’ incomes, timesharing overnights, and add-ons like health insurance and childcare.
The baseline framework in What Is Child Support becomes contentious when income is unclear or when schedules are disputed.
When payments stop, Spouse Refuses to Pay Child Support Florida reflects the enforcement problems parents face.
Florida child support follows the guideline structure in Florida Statutes §61.30, including how incomes, overnights, and add-ons like health insurance and childcare are typically factored into the calculation.
Child support fights are rarely just about math. They are about pressure. the cost of childcare, the reality of school schedules, and the fear of carrying the full load alone while the other parent delays, hides income, or pays inconsistently.
The fastest way to protect yourself is to bring clean documentation and a timesharing calendar that matches reality, so the guideline calculation is defensible and enforceable.
| Input | What to Gather | Why It Matters |
| Income | Pay stubs, tax returns, 1099s, bonus history | Correct guideline math |
| Timesharing | Overnight calendar, exchanges, school routine | Overnights can change support |
| Insurance | Statement showing child premium cost | Credit allocation |
| Childcare | Invoices, provider contract | Guideline add-on |
| Recurring costs | Receipts for predictable expenses | Negotiation clarity |
Most Broward County custody and support matters follow a predictable path. You define the issues, build a documentation file, file or respond, complete required disclosures, negotiate or mediate, and then obtain an enforceable order.
In a stressful custody or support dispute, the court process feels slow and unfamiliar. What reduces anxiety is knowing what usually comes next, and what proof actually moves the case forward.
Broward County cases tend to reward the parent who brings structure. dates, records, and a plan that keeps the child stable. not the parent who brings the loudest story.
If timesharing or decision-making keeps turning into conflict, Levine Family Law can help you build a parenting plan with clear rules the court can enforce. Call 954-587-2244 or request a confidential consultation online.
Custody and support issues often overlap. Many parents need help with temporary schedules, missed payments, schedule interference, relocation, or a modification after job changes or a child’s evolving needs.
The right approach depends on the specific issue, the current order, and what you can prove with clear records and dates.
Most parents do not call a lawyer because they want a fight. They call because the situation becomes unmanageable. The schedule becomes unpredictable. Money stops coming.
Decisions get made without consent, or a move threatens a child’s stability. The strongest cases are built the same way with precise facts, consistent documentation, and a plan that a judge can enforce.
A modification is not about what feels unfair. It is about whether something meaningful changed since the order was entered.
If the order is being ignored, enforcement is often about clean proof, not angry arguments.
Relocation raises high-stakes questions quickly because it affects school continuity, daily routines, and the other parent’s access.
When paternity is unclear or not legally established, custody and support can become unstable quickly.
For standardized paperwork and court resources, Florida Courts Family Law Forms provides the official forms and references commonly used in custody and support matters.
Preparation changes outcomes. When you bring the right documents, you get clearer advice faster, reduce delays, and avoid preventable mistakes in timesharing and child support calculations.
Walking into a consultation with “the story” but not the supporting documents is where parents lose time and leverage.
If you bring clean inputs. your current order, your real schedule, and proof of income and expenses. You leave with a specific, defensible plan ready to act on.
That clarity matters, especially when the other parent is unpredictable or the numbers are already being disputed.
| Item | Examples |
| Existing orders or filings | Parenting plan, support order, prior agreements |
| Timesharing details | Proposed schedule, exchanges, and school routine |
| School information | School name, schedule, services, contacts |
| Medical information | Providers, insurance, special needs |
| Income proof | Pay stubs, tax return, W-2 or 1099, bonus history |
| Child expenses | Childcare invoices, insurance premiums, and activity costs |
| Proof file | Calendar, key messages, documents organized by date |
Custody and support disputes are evidence-driven. A clean timeline and consistent records often matter more than opinions about what is “fair.” Track overnights, exchanges, expenses, and communication patterns in an organized way.
This improves negotiation, reduces confusion, and strengthens your position if the case becomes contested or enforcement is needed.
If you are in conflict right now, start documenting today. Not to “build a case” out of emotion, but to create a simple record that keeps facts straight when tensions rise.
The goal is stability and proof. Judges and mediators respond to specifics. dates, patterns, and documentation. not general accusations.
| What to Track | How to Track It |
| Overnights and exchanges | Shared calendar with brief notes |
| Support payments | Payment history and missed payment dates |
| Child expenses | Receipts and recurring invoices |
| School stability | Attendance, grades, and teacher communications |
| Medical stability | Appointment summaries and reimbursements |
| Communication | Save messages, keep tone neutral |
| Schedule interference | Dates, times, third-party corroboration if any |
Levine Family Law approaches custody and support with a documentation-first strategy and a focus on enforceable outcomes.
The goal is a parenting plan that reduces repeat conflict and support terms built on verified inputs.
When settlement is not possible, preparation stays courtroom-ready and evidence-driven, with clear next steps from day one.
Call 954-587-2244 for a confidential consultation with Levine Family Law. Get a clear next-step plan for custody, timesharing, and child support in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
How Is Child Custody Decided in Florida?
Florida child custody is decided through a parenting plan and timesharing schedule based on the child’s best interests. Courts focus on stability, each parent’s involvement, and practical logistics like school and transportation.
Can a Custody or Timesharing Order Be Changed in Broward County?
Yes. A custody or timesharing order may be modified when there is a substantial, material, and unanticipated change and the requested change serves the child’s best interests. Strong cases rely on dates, records, and a clear explanation of how the new plan improves stability and reduces conflict.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Florida?
Florida child support is calculated using guideline formulas based on both parents’ incomes, timesharing overnights, and add-ons like health insurance and childcare. When the inputs are incomplete or disputed, the number can be wrong.
Do Overnights Affect Child Support in Florida?
Yes. Overnights affect child support because timesharing can change the guideline calculation. When calendars are vague or contested, the support number often becomes a point of contention. Keeping a consistent overnight record and exchange history helps support accurate, enforceable calculations and reduces disputes later.
What Can I Do If the Other Parent Is Not Paying Child Support?
When child support is not paid, enforcement typically depends on the order language and your proof of nonpayment. Keep a payment history, missed payment dates, and a copy of the order, then pursue enforcement through the court process.
What Happens If a Parent Violates a Timesharing Order in Broward County?
A timesharing violation can lead to court enforcement, make-up time, and other remedies depending on the facts. The strongest cases show documented dates, missed exchanges, and attempts to comply with the order. Avoid self-help responses that could escalate conflict or put your position at risk.
Can a Parent Relocate With a Child After Divorce in Florida?
Relocation is not typically a simple decision when it affects the other parent’s timesharing. Courts evaluate the reason for the move, the child’s stability, and whether a workable long-distance parenting plan is proposed. Notice timelines and documentation matter early, especially when school schedules are involved.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Child Custody Case in Fort Lauderdale?
No. You are not required to have a lawyer for a child custody case. But representation is strongly recommended when schedules are disputed, enforcement is needed, or communication has broken down. A custody attorney helps structure evidence and draft enforceable parenting plan terms that reduce the likelihood of repeat conflict.
Can Child Support Be Modified If My Income Changes?
Yes. Child support may be modified when there is a substantial change in income or circumstances that makes the current order unfair or unworkable. Proof usually includes pay records, tax filings, and documentation showing when the change occurred and whether it is expected to continue.
How Long Do Custody and Support Cases Take in Broward County?
The timeline depends on cooperation, document quality, and whether the case is contested. Cases often move faster when schedules and support inputs are documented cleanly from the start. Delays commonly come from missing disclosures, disputed overnights, repeated noncompliance, or last-minute changes.
High Net Worth Divorce Florida. Complex income and asset issues can shape support and custody outcomes.
Hidden Assets Broward County. Common red flags and documentation steps.
About Scott A. Levine
Proudly Serving All Areas Of:
