Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
daughter graduated high school
My youngest daughter from 1st marriage will be 17 in November 1999. She graduated from high school in June 1999, supports herself with a fulltime job, and does not live with her mother (mother denies the latter is true, but my oldest- 21 yrs old-daughter (same marriage) has been living with her mother since July 1999, and verifies that the youngest is on her own at another address). I am still paying child support to the mother. Based on the above, can child support be stopped, and if so, how do I proceed?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: daughter graduated high school
According to the facts given, you have a good case to stop paying child support. This is not automatic and absolutely do not discontinue the child support payments because you would be faced with a contempt action. You need to file the appropriate pleadings with the court to stop these payments. Once you have filed you case, the future payments will be on hold until final adjudication of the case. Therefore, I suggest that you file your action as soon as possible. If you need further assistance with this matter, please feel free to contact me at (954) 437-5968. Sincerely, Melody Stickel-Martinez, Esq.
Re: daughter graduated high school
You need to look at the Final Judgment of the court, this will establish how long you are supposed to pay. Usually it is until age 19 or graduation from high school. You may stop paying but run the risk of being held in contempt. I recommend motioning the court for permission to discontinue.