Child Support Effectively Advocating for You with Compassion and Integrity

Child Support Attorney in Sarasota County

Over 20 Years of Family Law Experience, Serving Sarasota County Since 2001

McDermott Law Offices, PLLC represents divorcing, separating, and never-married parents in child support matters throughout Sarasota County, FL. We handle initial support determinations, modifications, and enforcement proceedings before the 12th Judicial Circuit Court. Attorney Paul McDermott has personally represented more than 2,000 clients over more than 20 years of family law practice, and our firm has been doing this work since 2001.

Child support belongs to the child, not to either parent. That distinction matters in disputes. Both the parent seeking support and the parent expected to pay benefit from representation that helps the final order accurately reflect the actual financial picture on both sides.

If you have child support questions anywhere in Sarasota County, we’re ready to help. Call us at (941) 837-5071 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule a consultation.

Why Sarasota County Parents Choose McDermott Law Offices, PLLC

Attorney McDermott holds training in collaborative law, a structured process in which both parents and their attorneys work toward a voluntary agreement outside the courtroom. That training lets us pursue resolution through negotiation, mediation, or a formal collaborative process before recommending litigation. When contested proceedings are the only path forward, we’re prepared for that too.

Clients stay informed at every stage. We prioritize accessibility and responsiveness because child support decisions affect daily life, and parents shouldn’t have to wonder where their case stands.

Our credentials include:

Sarasota Bar Association membership
Florida State Bar Family Law Section membership
Manatee County Bar Association membership
5-star Google Reviews from clients throughout the region

Schedule a Child Support Consultation in Sarasota County

Whether you’re establishing a new order, facing a modification, or dealing with a parent who isn’t paying, we can help you understand your options and build a strategy that fits your situation. Call McDermott Law Offices, PLLC at (941) 837-5071 or contact us online to get started.

How Florida Calculates Child Support

Florida uses an income-shares formula under Florida Statute 61.30, not a simple percentage of one parent’s earnings. The calculation brings together both parents’ net monthly incomes, the number of children, the number of overnight visits in the timesharing plan, monthly health insurance costs for the children, and monthly childcare expenses.

Florida no longer uses the term “custody.” The parenting plan and timesharing schedule replace it, and the number of overnights each parent has directly affects the support calculation.

Income Disputes & Imputed Earnings

Income isn’t always straightforward. When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on earning capacity rather than actual wages. Self-employment income and seasonal earnings require thorough documentation to present accurately. The final guideline amount can be adjusted if strict application would produce an unjust result given the family’s specific circumstances.

How Long Child Support Lasts in Florida

Florida child support obligations generally continue until the child turns 18. If the child is still enrolled in high school at 18 and expected to graduate before age 19, support continues until graduation or the child’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Support may extend beyond age 18 when a child has a physical or mental disability that began before age 18 and requires continuing care.

A support order can cover more than basic monthly payments. Florida courts can include health and dental insurance, uninsured medical expenses, and childcare costs for work or school. When parents agree, the order may also address extracurricular activities and educational expenses.

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Child Support Services for Sarasota County Families

We represent clients at every stage of a child support case: establishing an initial order through the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, seeking a modification when circumstances have changed, and enforcing an order when payments have stopped.

Initial Orders & Modifications

When parents separate without an existing support order, the first step is establishing one. We guide clients through that process, helping the order reflect verified income, actual timesharing, and all allowable cost inputs under Florida Statute 61.30. If circumstances change after an order is in place, a modification petition requires showing a substantial change under Florida Statute 61.14. Job loss, a significant shift in income, or a revised timesharing schedule can qualify, but not every change meets the legal threshold. We help clients assess whether they have grounds before filing.

Enforcement When Payments Stop

When a paying parent falls behind, Sarasota County courts have enforcement tools available: wage garnishment through an income withholding order, interception of tax refunds, license suspension, and contempt proceedings that can result in fines or incarceration for chronic non-payment. The Florida Department of Revenue can assist with enforcement in certain cases, but DOR attorneys represent the state, not individual parents. Having your own attorney matters when your specific financial interests are at stake.

Child Support & Timesharing as Connected Issues

In Florida, timesharing and child support aren’t separate problems. The number of overnights in a parenting plan is a direct input into the support formula, which means renegotiating one without reviewing the other can leave parents with mismatched orders. We handle both child support and timesharing matters together rather than in isolation.

Paternity & Child Support for Unmarried Parents

For unmarried parents in Sarasota County, paternity must be legally established before the 12th Judicial Circuit Court can enter a child support order. Paternity can be established voluntarily through an Acknowledgment of Paternity or through a court proceeding, which may include DNA testing. Once paternity is confirmed, Florida courts are required to order child support under the statutory guidelines, and the father may also pursue timesharing rights at that stage. We represent clients in paternity matters connected to child support proceedings throughout Sarasota County.

Resolving Child Support Outside the Courtroom

Courtroom proceedings aren’t the only way to resolve child support in Sarasota County. Attorney McDermott’s training in collaborative law allows us to offer a structured, non-adversarial process in which both parents and their attorneys work toward a voluntary agreement. This approach is especially practical when parents share ongoing co-parenting responsibilities, because it avoids the adversarial dynamic that contested litigation creates.

Mediation is frequently required by the 12th Judicial Circuit Court before a contested child support hearing. Working with an attorney who knows this process helps clients prepare effectively and arrive at mediation with a clear position. Where a negotiated or collaborative resolution isn’t possible, our trial experience helps clients prepare for contested proceedings in Sarasota County family court.

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"They Actually Care"
Paul & Louise were amazing!! He was patient with my case, despite all the bumps in my case and understood my situation.

- David A.
"I'll Be Forever Grateful!"
I was shown nothing but respect, professionalism, compassion, and integrity... my case was handled with the utmost care and importance.

- Joseph L.
"A Pleasure to Work With"
Paul was very responsive and understanding of individual situations. Was a pleasure working with him!

- Heather L.
"Empathy, Creativity, & Integrity"
This team demonstrated incredible empathy, creativity, integrity, wealth of knowledge, and humor when helping me with my divorce. They lead me step by step with projected timelines, options, and reality checks.

- Eduardo L.
"Stupendous Through and Through"
My experience with Paul and Louise was stupendous through and through. Honest. Reliable. Fair. Integrity. My case was handled with the utmost care and professionalism.

- Anne P.
"Personable and Genuine"
He was respectful, experienced, personable, and genuine. Throughout the entire divorce process, I was not once disappointed.

- Teresa H.
"Kindess in a Legal Team"
Paul and Louise were professional, knowledgeable, prompt in my returning my calls and above all else, kind to the situation at hand.

- Joanne H.
"Truly Exceptional"
Mr. McDermott graciously reviewed my case with a sincere interest. I have never encountered a lawyer attorney with his level of professionalism, kindness and empathy.

- Carol L.

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What Sets Us Apart

Compassionately Aggressive
We understand this can be a difficult process; we care for the person behind the case, while still fighting aggressively for your rights.
Responsive and Reachable
You'll never wonder where your case stands; we'll return your calls and walk you through the process every step of the way.
Prioritizing Your Experience
We have served thousands of clients, providing excellent customer service with the utmost integrity.
Serving Clients Since 2001

Paul McDermott has been effectively advocating for clients like you for over twenty years.