Fathers Going Through Divorce: Know This about Child Support

Let’s clear the air with some real talk—especially for fathers navigating divorce and custody battles.

1. Custody and Time-Sharing Are Not the Same

People confuse these all the time.

• Custody = who makes legal decisions

• Time-sharing = who the child stays with and when

You can have joint custody and still barely see your kids if the parenting plan doesn’t reflect equal time. And time-sharing is what really impacts your relationship—and your wallet.

2. 50/50 Is the Starting Point in Many States

A growing number of states now assume that equal time with both parents is in the child’s best interest.

You’ll hear options like:

• One week on / one week off

• 3-4-4-3 schedules

• Alternating weekends with longer summer splits

But if you don’t fight for it or can’t physically be there—you won’t get it.

3. Child Support Still Applies with 50/50

Here’s the truth most don’t tell you:

Even with 50/50 time-sharing, child support is still calculated.

It’s based on:

• Gross income

• Number of overnights with your child

• Expenses like insurance, daycare, and healthcare

Let’s look at a real-world example:

4. The Tampa Relocation Example

A father going through divorce relocates from Orlando to Tampa for a better-paying job.

• New income: $80,000/year (up from $50,000)

• Take-home pay: ~$5,500/month after federal taxes and health insurance

• Health insurance: $80/month for him and the child

Because he lives in Tampa and can’t take the child to school daily, he ends up with an every-other-weekend arrangement + 8 weeks in the summer. No 50/50.

His child support is now calculated using:

• Gross income of ~$6,600/month

• Limited overnights

Result? $1,600/month in child support.

Had he stayed in Orlando and earned $50,000 with full custody or even 50/50, he would’ve kept more of his money AND seen his children daily.

This is a wake-up call:

Why chase the job if it means losing time with your children and handing over more money than if you stayed close and present?

5. Don’t Let Emotions or Manipulation Rule You

Some parents use kids as pawns.

I’ve had someone tell me, “Pay me X or you won’t see your child.”

That’s manipulation, plain and simple. It happens every day.

Stay calm. Stay smart. Let the court—and the law—handle it.

6. Get a Lawyer and Know the Numbers

Always get legal help.

• Don’t rely on verbal agreements.

• Don’t guess what your rights are.

• Do the math.

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This is a long-term financial and emotional decision. Don’t make it in a moment of stress.

7. You are the Father—Act Like It

There should be nothing more important than raising your kids.

Not a job. Not convenience. Not even ego.

Be there. Fight for 50/50. And if possible, stay close.

Because child support doesn’t just drain your income—it can separate you from your kids unless you stay involved.