In an initial determination of child support, the court has discretion to award child support retroactive to the date when the parents did not reside together in the same household with the child, not to exceed a period of 24 months preceding the filing of the petition. See § 61.30(17), Fla. Stat. (2020). However, it is an abuse of discretion for the trial court to deny retroactive child support where there is a demonstrated need for the child support and the parent has the ability to pay the retroactive support.
Case: Lifaite v. Charles
Opinion filed: February 9, 2022
4th DCA
Case No. 4D21-1038
Link: https://hi.switchy.io/7Nhb