Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
C.J.I.–R., Appellant, v. C.M., Appellee.
C.J.I.–R. (the Father) and C.M. (the Mother) are the parents of a daughter born in 2012. The Father appeals a second amended final judgment 1 that establishes paternity, a parenting plan, and child support. The Father raises several issues, only one of which warrants discussion. We reverse and remand solely for the trial court to calculate child support using the correct net income for the Father. We affirm in all other respects.
In determining child support, a trial court's finding regarding a party's income must be supported by competent substantial evidence. Hoffman v. Hoffman, 98 So. 3d 196, 197 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012); McCants v. McCants, 984 So. 2d 678, 682 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008). Here, at the final hearing the Father testified that the Mother's Exhibit 2, his financial affidavit filed February 11, 2016, was an accurate reflection of his current income. He did not testify to any specific amounts of income or deductions, and the Mother's counsel did not challenge him on any of the amounts listed. The Father's financial affidavit entered into evidence shows a monthly tax liability of $575.07 and a net monthly income of $2466.93. But the worksheet attached to the second amended final judgment shows the Father's monthly tax liability as $468.59, resulting in a net monthly income of $2573.41.
Thus, the worksheet the trial court used deviated from the evidence and overstated the Father's net income by $106.48 per month. Therefore, the net income of $2573.41 for the Father that the trial court used to calculate child support is not supported by competent substantial evidence. Accordingly, we reverse and remand for the trial court to recalculate child support using the Father's net income of $2466.93 shown on his financial affidavit. Otherwise, we affirm the second amended final judgment.
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.
FOOTNOTES
1. The Father appealed an amended final judgment, but during the pendency of this appeal this court relinquished jurisdiction to allow the trial court to correct a date in the amended final judgment, and the trial court rendered a second amended final judgment.
SILBERMAN, Judge.
MORRIS and BLACK, JJ., Concur.
Thank you for your feedback!
As the largest network of trusted legal brands, we help firms build authority across the platforms consumers and AI systems rely on most. Our network helps attorneys strengthen visibility, credibility, and preference where legal decisions begin.
Docket No: Case No. 2D16–1577
Decided: April 19, 2017
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)