Catherine Eaton, Esq.

When you're facing a divorce or paternity case in Florida, one of the first concerns most parents deal with is some version of “how much will child support be?” Florida does not leave this number to guesswork or a judge's personal opinion, with state law laying out a specific formula, found in Florida Statute 61.30, that calculates a presumptive amount based on both parents' income and a handful … [Read more...] about How is Child Support Calculated in Florida?

When it comes to a divorce or custody case, Tennessee doesn't leave child support numbers up to chance. The state uses a detailed formula set out in the Tennessee Child Support Guidelines, built around both parents' income and how much time each parent spends with the child. Knowing how the formula works won't hand you an exact number without plugging in your specific figures, but it will help … [Read more...] about How is Child Support Calculated in Tennessee?

Every child support calculation starts in the same place: figuring out what each parent earns. At first glance, this seems like it would be simple, but “income” for child support purposes is defined much more broadly than a single paycheck. Bonuses, benefits, rental income, and even income a parent isn't currently earning but could be earning can all factor into the number. Because Eaton Family … [Read more...] about What Counts as Income for Child Support?

Many people assume hiring a family law attorney has to mean full representation from beginning to end. In real life, some clients need help with only one part of the case. They may want an attorney for a temporary-relief hearing, a motion, a mediation session, document review, or one important court date. Both Florida and Tennessee allow lawyers to limit the scope of representation in appropriate … [Read more...] about Can You Hire a Divorce Lawyer for One Hearing?

When parents separate, there are a lot of questions that start flying through their heads. One of the first practical questions is how child support will be figured out. Many people expect the court to pick a number based on fairness alone, but Florida does not work that way. The state uses a statutory guideline formula that starts with both parents’ income, applies listed deductions, looks at the … [Read more...] about How Child Support Is Calculated in Florida – 2026

When parents are in the middle of a custody dispute, one of the most common questions is what a judge actually pays attention to in court. Many people assume the answer is simple. They may think a judge will focus on who loves the child more, who has more money, or which parent has spent the most time in the home. Real custody decisions are much more structured than that. In both Florida and … [Read more...] about What Judges Look for in Custody Cases