What Is “Good Fortune” Child Support in Florida?

Florida child support laws include a specific formula by which to calculate child support orders. The formula takes into account factors such as the number of children at issue, each parent’s income, expenses, costs of child care, costs of the child’s healthcare, any special needs of a child, and more. These calculations are meant to cover the basic necessities of the child. Generally, a court is expected to follow the guidelines for child support, however the court does have a limited amount of discretion to stray from the guidelines if it finds the circumstances justify such a decision. In most situations, however, the court may only deviate from the set formula by five percent.

Good Fortune Child Support

There are some circumstances under which a court may divert more substantially from the child support formulas and order child support amounts that cover more than just a child’s basic needs. This is referred to in Florida as “good fortune” child support, and is often awarded in cases in which one parent is particularly affluent. Courts have determined that children of such parents deserve to benefit from that parent’s wealth and success, especially since they would enjoy such benefits if the parents were married.

Benefits from a wealthy parent may include private education, travel opportunities, amenities, or other special activities that are above and beyond basic necessities. Additionally, higher child support payments may help establish savings and trusts for the children of a wealthy parent, even if they reside primarily with the other parent. However, there are limitations to good fortune child support awards. A court will limit its order to an amount that supports an appropriate lifestyle for the child, and will not require a wealthy parent pay an unnecessarily excessive amount simply because they can. For example, if a child already has all of his or her special expenses adequately covered, a court will not continue to increase the child support just because a parent’s wealth increases.

The following is an example of a case in which a court may be warranted in ordering good fortune child support. Tramar Lacel Dillard is a popular rapper commonly known as “Flo Rida,” and he has an estimated net worth of $30 million. Recently, model Natasha Georgette Williams established via a court ordered paternity test that Flo Rida is the father of her newborn son. Williams has filed suit in Florida requesting good fortune child support based on the rapper’s significant net worth and success. The court has yet to rule on that request, however, though it seems like it may be an appropriate case for such support.

Contact a Boca Raton Child Support Attorney for Assistance

If you are seeking good fortune child support for your child or are facing any other type of child support determination, it is imperative to have a family law attorney handling your case who understands how child support laws in Florida operate. If you have any family law matter, please do not hesitate to call experienced lawyer Alan R. Burton at (954) 229-1660 or (954) 295-9222 today for assistance.