Child Support Experienced Representation for Child Support Matters.

Miami Child Support Attorneys

Protecting Your Child’s Financial Future in Coral Gables

Child support disputes often arise during some of the most stressful periods of a family’s life. Whether you are concerned about meeting your child’s day-to-day needs, facing allegations of misrepresenting income, or dealing with unpaid support, the outcome of a child support case can affect your household for years to come.

At Hertz Sager, we empower parents to make informed decisions during high-stakes child support matters by providing the skilled representation they deserve. We understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate family court and are dedicated to guiding your steps with compassion, clarity, and genuine care for your family’s future.

We understand that no two families are alike, which is why our child support lawyers take the time to truly listen to your story and develop legal strategies tailored to your unique situation. When you choose our firm, you can expect trusted guidance grounded in decades of combined experience in family court. Even better, our founding attorney, Christy L. Hertz, is a Certified Marital and Family Law Mediator who can assist you in finding an agreement outside of court whenever possible.

If you are facing a child support dispute in Miami, our attorneys can vigorously protect your financial interests. Call (754) 704-1894 to schedule a consultation.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Florida?

Courts determine child support obligations using the Income Shares Model (§ 61.30, Fla. Stat.). This statutory framework operates on the premise that a child should receive the same proportion of financial support they would have received if their parents had remained in the same household.

To establish the baseline, the court calculates the combined net income of both parents and matches that figure to a designated grid based on the number of children. Once the base amount is determined, the court adjusts each parent’s responsibility by factoring in necessary child-rearing expenses, such as health insurance premiums, uninsured medical costs, and daycare.

The final calculation is also influenced by the established parenting plan. If a parent has substantial time-sharing (defined as keeping the child for 20% or more of the overnights in a year), their obligation is recalibrated to reflect the direct costs they incur while caring for the child in their own home.

We provide critical oversight during this complex process to help you accurately document your net income, identify allowable deductions, and verify that the opposing party’s affidavit is truthful. If your co-parent is attempting to artificially deflate their income, we can collaborate with forensic accountants to trace their true earning capacity and present the facts clearly to the judge.

When Does Child Support End?

Child support typically ends when the child turns 18. If the child is still in high school, support may continue until the child graduates or turns 19 (whichever comes first). Child support may also end before 18 if a child becomes legally emancipated, gets married, or joins the military. For special needs children who are incapable of self-support, payments may continue indefinitely.

Even if child support is terminated, it is important to understand that arrearages, retroactive support, delinquency payments, and other pending costs must still be paid in full. Our lawyers can explain how this legal framework applies to your situation and assist with any outstanding obligations before they become larger disputes.

What if My Co-Parent Is Not Paying Child Support?

Dealing with an ex who refuses to fulfill their support obligations can be financially stressful and emotionally exhausting. If your co-parent or former spouse is failing to make timely child support payments required under your final judgment or marital settlement agreement, we can help you seek appropriate legal remedies through the court, such as filing a Motion of Contempt to enforce the order.

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Hear From Our Clients

Real Feedback From Individuals Who Trusted Us With Their Cases.

“Helped Me Get Through My Divorce”
“Christy Hertz and Katie Sager helped me successfully get through my divorce. They understood my wishes and were able to communicate effectively with the opposing attorney. They explained each step of the process with clarity and patience.”

- Melinda B.
“Forever Grateful”
“I shopped around for legal representation, and immediately knew that Katie Sager was it. She did what was best for both me and my family, and I'm forever grateful! She has a team of all-stars and has helped me through every twist and turn.”

- J M.
“Successfully Assisted My Family”
“Attorney Cristy Hertz and her firm were very professional and successfully assisted my family with personal legal matters. Her personal attention to detail and taking the time to really listen to my concerns was monumental.”

- Malia P.
“Experienced, Professional & Honest”
“Christy and Katie are experienced, professional, and honest, and attentive to detail. When it comes to family law issues, it's easy to let emotions cloud your judgment, so it's important to have attorneys who give a realistic view of your case.”

- Julieth F.
“They Kept Us Informed”
“Christy Hertz and Katie Sager both attended to my family as if they were dealing with a familial issue of their own. They always made sure our concerns were voiced in court and kept us informed of the process every step of the way.”

- Kristal A.
“Protected My Assets”
“Christy Hertz, Katie Sager, and their staff were committed to ensuring the best outcome during my divorce. As a result of their professionalism and negotiation, my divorce settlement protected my assets and allowed me to close that chapter of my life.”

- Tracy S.
“Incredibly Trustworthy”
“Katie Sager exemplifies integrity, compassion, and determination in everything she does. She has an unwavering commitment to helping others and, among everything else, is incredibly trustworthy.”

- Brittany A.
“Highly Recommend”
“I highly recommend Hertz Sager. The team is very professional, educated, attentive, and understanding. They helped resolve my divorce and achieve my goals. During the lowest time of my life, the team made sure that I was informed of every step in my case.”

- Marta M.
“Amazing Family Law Team”
“Christy Hertz and Katie Sager are such an amazing family law team. They helped me navigate through a difficult time with compassion and patience. Having such a caring, committed team on my side made this unpleasant time in my life less stressful.”

- Angela H.

Can Child Support Payments Be Modified?

Child support can only be modified when there is a substantial, permanent, and involuntary change in circumstances following the final judgment. If the order was issued within the last three years, the requested modification must result in a payment difference of 15% or $50 (whichever is greater). If the order was issued more than three years ago, the change in amount must be at least 10%, but no less than $25.

Short-term unemployment or brief financial slumps are generally not sufficient to warrant a modification. Quitting a job or taking a voluntary pay cut is also unlikely to justify a modification request. Whether you were recently laid off or want to increase the payment amount after the other parent’s promotion or pay raise, we can help you gather the necessary documentation to build a strong petition.

Our Strategic Approach to Child Support Matters

Protecting your child’s future requires a lawyer who understands the nuances of family law and common tactics used to obscure wealth. We leave no stone unturned in our investigations and advocate fiercely for outcomes that reflect the reality of each family’s dynamic.

Below are some ways that our attorneys work to safeguard your interests:

Meticulous income discovery. We scrutinize affidavits, business ledgers, and tax returns to prevent the opposing party from hiding income or underreporting their true earning capacity.
Accurate time-sharing integration. Because overnight stays directly impact support obligations, we can work to establish a precise time-sharing record that reflects your actual caregiving responsibilities and costs.
Strategic post-judgment modifications. When life shifts, we help parents petition the court to adjust payments and gather the required evidence to prove a substantial, permanent change in income or need.
Aggressive enforcement actions. If a co-parent willfully ignores a court order, we can file motions for contempt to pursue immediate remedies, from wage garnishment and bank levies to driver’s license suspension.
High-net-worth calculations. For high-income families, we advocate for customized support figures that reflect the child’s accustomed standard of living and specific developmental needs.

Whether you are seeking support or trying to catch up on missed payments, our firm is ready to advocate for your rights. Contact us online to discuss your case.

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