Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Re: child support

The issues are separate issues. (1) you do not need a DNA test if the father agrees to be on the birth certificate. He just has to sign the affidavit. (2) Whether the father has a child with someone else is not in itself a factor affecting support payments for the children of a first marriage/relationship. Support is calculated according to net income, not additional obligations.

Re: child support

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Being the father of your child will not affect any obligation the father has to support children from a prior relationship. I do not know how much either party earns, but $500.00 per month is very low for two children under Florida law.

Your boyfriend should review the applicable statutes to determine what is obligation might be. He can calculate his own potential liability for child support. Florida Statutes 61.30 sets forth that guidelines must be used. The statute and guidelines can be viewed at

http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/childsupport/guidlines.html

He can complete the child support worksheet to get a pretty good idea of what his liability is. If he feels the ex is not being honest with income, he will generally have a better chance contesting her actions with an attorney on his side who knows the law and how to argue the case.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.