At Parra Harris Law, we help Florida families navigate the complexities of child support, custody, and co-parenting with clarity and compassion. While 2025 has not brought any major legislative changes to Florida’s child support guidelines, it remains critical for parents to understand how the existing laws apply—especially when it comes to time-sharing arrangements and the financial responsibilities tied to children’s extracurricular activities.
This article provides an overview of Florida’s child support framework as outlined in Florida Statute 61.30, offers guidance on managing shared parenting responsibilities, and addresses the common question: who pays for extracurriculars?
No Major Child Support Law Changes in 2025
Contrary to some public perception, Florida’s child support guidelines have not undergone significant revisions in 2025. The state continues to follow the “income shares” model, which estimates what parents would spend on their child if they were living together and divides that amount proportionally based on each parent’s income.
The statutory formula is set forth in Florida Statute 61.30. Key elements include:
- The combined net income of both parents
- The number of children involved
- The percentage of time each parent spends with the child
- Adjustments for health insurance, daycare, and other allowable expenses
While courts interpret these guidelines on a case-by-case basis, the methodology has not changed in 2025. Any future updates would require legislative action by the Florida Legislature and would be reflected in official revisions to the statute.
Time-Sharing and Support: What the Law Says
Time-sharing (formerly referred to as custody and visitation) plays a direct role in determining child support amounts. Florida law provides that if a parent has the child for 20% or more of the overnights in a calendar year (equivalent to 73 overnights), the support obligation may be reduced based on the actual number of overnights. This provision is not new and has been part of the law for several years.
According to 61.30(11)(a), this adjustment ensures fairness when both parents provide substantial caretaking and support. However, parents must provide credible evidence of an established and adhered-to time-sharing schedule. Courts will look at the actual overnight time the child spends with each parent, not just what’s written in the parenting plan.
Do Child Support Payments Cover Extracurricular Activities?
A common source of confusion among co-parents is whether child support automatically covers extracurricular activities such as sports, music lessons, tutoring, or summer camps.
Here’s what Florida law says:
- Standard child support guidelines do not automatically include extracurricular expenses.
- These expenses are not mandatory additions under 61.30 unless the court orders them or the parties agree to include them in a settlement or parenting plan.
- However, parents can agree to share these costs, and that agreement can be formalized by the court to become legally enforceable.
In high-conflict cases or when one parent refuses to contribute voluntarily, a judge may step in to decide whether specific activities are in the best interest of the child and whether cost-sharing is appropriate. Still, there is no blanket rule requiring both parents to pay for extracurriculars unless stated in a court order.
Decision-Making: Who Chooses the Activities?
Even when the financial side is settled, disagreements about enrolling a child in activities can arise. Parenting plans in Florida often specify how major decisions are made—either jointly or by one parent having ultimate decision-making authority in specific areas such as education, healthcare, and extracurricular involvement.
Under Florida Statute § 61.13(2)(b), shared parental responsibility is the default presumption, meaning both parents should confer and agree on significant decisions impacting the child’s welfare. That includes time-consuming or expensive extracurricular activities.
If one parent unilaterally enrolls the child in an activity that interferes with the other’s scheduled time or imposes a financial burden, the court may view this as a violation of the parenting agreement.
Best Practice: Include detailed language in your parenting plan about:
- How extracurricular decisions will be made
- Whether both parents must agree before enrolling the child
- How costs will be divided
- Who is responsible for transportation and attendance
Co-Parenting Tips for Managing Extracurricular Commitments
Effective co-parenting requires more than legal agreements—it requires communication, consistency, and a focus on the child’s best interests. Below are tips for managing your child’s extracurricular life while preserving your co-parenting relationship:
- Plan Ahead
Discuss upcoming sports seasons, performances, or camps well in advance. Budgeting and scheduling are much easier when both parents have time to prepare. - Document Agreements
If you agree to split costs or alternate weekends for soccer games, put it in writing. Emails or co-parenting apps (like OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents) can serve as a digital paper trail. - Use a Shared Calendar
Synchronizing calendars helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures both parents are on the same page about practices, games, or recitals. - Be Flexible
Life happens. If one parent can’t attend an event, encourage the child to understand and avoid casting blame. A united front helps protect your child’s emotional well-being. - Include Older Children in Discussions
For teens or older kids, consider their preferences when choosing activities. Empowering them to have a voice often reduces parental tension.
Final Thoughts
While Florida’s child support laws have not changed in 2025, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your parenting plan is current, comprehensive, and practical for your family’s evolving needs. At Parra Harris Law, we help clients craft personalized agreements that address time-sharing, support, and the real-life logistics of raising children—together, even when apart.
If you’re seeking guidance on updating a parenting plan, clarifying child support obligations, or resolving disputes around extracurricular activities, our team is here to help.
Contact Parra Harris Law today to schedule a consultation with a family law attorney who understands the legal system—and what matters most to families in Florida.
