Child Support & Child Custody Attorney in Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Getting a divorce can be incredibly stressful, especially when your children are involved. No matter where you are in the divorce process, a child support or child custody dispute can complicate your plans for a smooth separation. When this happens, it’s natural to feel unsure of a path forward.

At Simpson & Paull, P.L., we understand that you may be in need of a little extra help. Our Jacksonville Beach attorney has decades of experience handling a variety of complex child custody and child support cases, helping families find the solid ground and the peace of mind they deserve. We know that these issues are far too important to leave to chance, so we offer personal attention and fierce advocacy at every stage of the journey. Child support and child custody in Florida are complex legal issues, but we’ll be there when you need us.

How Does Child Support Work in Florida?

In Florida, the courts use something called the “Income Shares Model” of child support. An attempt to ensure both parents share the responsibilities of supporting the child in a fair and equitable way, this model calculates support based on the net income of both parents. The Florida child support calculation process takes into account parents’ salary wages, investments, retirement income, unemployment payments, workers’ compensation benefits, and more.

Essentially, the court takes a number of factors into consideration when determining the amount of a child support payment, including:

• The number of children to support

• The needs of the child or children, including food, housing, education, healthcare, and any special needs

• The parents’ ability to pay

• The number of overnight stays each parent has with the children

Every case — every family — is different. For more information about your unique situation and how we might be able to help, do not hesitate to reach out to our team in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. We work with families throughout the area. Contact us today if you need assistance in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, or Nocatee.

Is Alimony the Same as Child Support?

Alimony and child support are different. Child support is based on the best interests of the child and provides for the child’s daily needs. Alimony, on the other hand, is meant to provide for a spouse who can no longer maintain the same lifestyle without the other spouse.

Our child support and alimony attorney at Simpson & Paull, P.L. is well-equipped to handle these kinds of emotional cases. If you are a resident of Jacksonville Beach, Duval County, or the rest of Florida, set up an appointment with us as soon as you can.

Child Custody in Jacksonville Beach

When it comes to determining who will get custody of children, there are a few things that family law courts in Florida will take into consideration. Of course, if there are previously agreed-upon terms, or signs of abuse and/or a criminal past, those could affect the options available to you. Judges will prefer that a family first works through these concerns with the assistance of a mediator or counselor; however, this is not always the most reasonable option for families. If you are in the midst of a contested divorce, or if you know that your spouse may have concerns about child custody, we can help you understand the factors that may play a role in determining custody. These factors include:

• The relationship the child has with their parents

• The parent's employment status

• The proximity of a parent's home to schools and other family members

• The parents' insurance

• If the child is 12 or older, their wishes may be taken into consideration

Child custody issues can overwhelm just about anyone. In order to make sure that your rights as a parent and your child's best interests are kept in mind, it is important that you get in touch with Simpson & Paull, P.L. to start the process.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Few things in life are more challenging than a battle over child support or child custody. Don’t try to navigate this alone. At Simpson & Paull, P.L., we fight for families and children in Florida simply because it’s the right thing to do. If you are struggling to find a path forward in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, or Nocatee, Florida, contact us in Jacksonville Beach to schedule a consultation.