My question involves child support in the State of: Florida
Originally, when support was hashed out during my divorce almost 10 years ago, I was ordered to pay a percentage of day care, and my ex-wife was ordered to pay insurance, split clothes costs, etc.
Day care was only paid for two more years at the cost that was figured into my support.
For the last 6 years, I have incurred all day care costs, out of my own pocket, in addition to the support that I pay, and now my child is on my insurance because his mother has changed jobs (and spouses) several times.
I have maintained a friendly relationship with my ex wife for the last 9 years, (we call each night to tell my son goodnight wherever he is, we do events together for him, etc.)
My current wife and her are friendly to each other, and my daughter with my current wife even refers to her as Auntie. But in the last 4 years, the time management has been reversed, my son is with us between 60-65% of the time, I have been paying for doctors visits, clothes, school items, etc. So I filed for a modification hearing (for the first time since our divorce.)
I just would like to know what to expect at the hearing. I am not bringing an attorney with me (I was told a state attorney would be representing me since I petitioned?). But I am bringing a calendar showing the division of overnights for the last 5 years, pay stubs, tax returns, and day care costs. The only thing I do not have is itemized receipts of every single purchase made towards him (New Glasses, backpacks, shoes, clothes, etc.).
My way of thinking is, I do not want my ex wife's money, and I am ok still paying support, I just want to make sure with all the changes the last few years that what I am paying is still fair, since he is in his teens and in middle school, it is getting more and more expensive to raise him (he plays sports and eats non stop, I swear he has hollow legs). And I would like my ex-wife to be as prepared as possible, she and I talked about this before I did it, I wouldn't say she was ok with it, but she was VERY understating that I was putting in the petition.
A breakdown of the situation is below.
-I pay $362/month ($262 in my divorce was to go to child care, at the time he was in private school)
-Mother and I make roughly the same monthly income.. (I may make slightly more)
-I now pay for insurance and most transportation to and from his mother's house.
-Mother moved 2 counties away and incurs toll costs to get him from school (2-3 days a week. I incur any toll costs associated with getting him from his mother or taking him there.)
-he is listed as living at My address and attends the school I am zoned for.
-Any costs for clothing, food, medical, etc. I pay in addition to what she gets in support. He is not allowed to bring anything from his mother's house to our house. (clothes he wears have to be back to her within 24 hours or I get a phone call)
Thank you for any advice.![]()

