What happens in Florida when a child turns 18 and there is still a child support arrearage?
You should continue paying the same child support amount after your child turns 18 if you owe child support arrears.
After a child turns 18 and child support would normally end, all the money you pay as child support goes to pay off the arrears since no new monthly amount is owed.
For example, say you are paying $500 for child support and an additional $50 per month for child support arrears. Your total payment is $550 per month. If you pay this amount in the month of the child’s 18tn birthday, only $50 goes to pay down the arrearage. The following month, you should still pay $550, but that entire amount goes to pay down the arrearage. Of course, this will reduce the arrears much quicker.
It is important to know the total amount of your arrears in order to avoid over payment.
When the entire payment foes toward the arrearage, it is possible in some cases, to ask the court to lower the payment.
