Interest on Child Support Arrears in Florida: Rate, Simple vs. Compound and When It Applies
The Florida child support interest rate is the s. 55.03 judgment rate, which the Chief Financial Officer resets each quarter; it was 7.87% when this page was written. Payments go to current support first, then principal, then interest.
What is the child support interest rate in Florida?
The rate under section 55.03. On the first day of each quarter the Chief Financial Officer sets the rate payable on judgments by averaging the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discount rate for the preceding 12 months and adding 400 basis points (Fla. Stat. 55.03(1)). It was 7.87% a year when this page was written; the CFO publishes the current figure (judgment interest rates table) and it changes quarterly.
Does Florida charge interest on child support arrears?
Yes. When a support payment is delinquent and becomes a final judgment by operation of law, the depository charges interest at the rate established in s. 55.03 on all judgments for support (61.14(6)). Judgments entered by the clerk under 61.14 are not adjusted annually, unlike most judgments, so the rate set when the judgment is entered stays with it (55.03(3)).
How are payments applied?
Payments on judgments are applied first to the current child support due, then to any delinquent principal, and then to interest on the support judgment (61.14(6)). So interest keeps running on the oldest principal until the principal is paid.
How much interest builds up? A scenario table
Unpaid $500 monthly installments, the newest just due, with simple interest at the rate shown. The middle column is the rate in effect when this page was written:
| Case | At 6% a year | At 7.87% a year | At 9.5% a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 unpaid installments of $500 | $165.00 | $216.43 | $261.25 |
| 24 unpaid installments of $500 | $690.00 | $905.05 | $1,092.50 |
| 36 unpaid installments of $500 | $1,575.00 | $2,065.88 | $2,493.75 |
Older installments carry more months of interest, so the total grows faster than the number of months.
When does an installment become a judgment?
The depository serves a notice on an obligor who is 15 days delinquent when the amount of the delinquency is greater than the periodic payment. The notice states the delinquency, the impending judgment, the right to contest and the depository’s authority to release information to credit reporting agencies. The obligor has 15 days to file a motion to contest, only on grounds of mistake of fact about whether a delinquency exists, its amount or the obligor’s identity (61.14(6)(b)-(c)).
Is the interest simple or compound?
The statutes we read set the rate, not a compounding method, and the Florida arrears calculator uses simple interest on each installment from its due date. The depository’s own calculation may start interest when each installment became a judgment, so use the calculator as an estimate.
Where do you get the official figure?
From the clerk of court or the State Disbursement Unit and depository for your case, or the Department of Revenue Child Support Program if it has your case. See whether arrears expire or can be forgiven and file to modify if your circumstances changed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Florida interest rate on back child support?
The s. 55.03 judgment rate, reset quarterly by the Chief Financial Officer; it was 7.87% when this page was written.
Is Florida child support interest simple or compounded?
The statutes set a rate, not a compounding method; this calculator uses simple interest from each due date as an estimate.
Does the Florida child support interest rate change?
Yes, each quarter, though the rate on a judgment entered under 61.14 is not adjusted annually.
How does Florida apply payments to child support arrears?
To current support first, then delinquent principal, then interest.
Where can I check my Florida child support balance?
With the clerk of court, the State Disbursement Unit or depository, or the Department of Revenue if it has your case.
Official sources
- Fla. Stat. 61.14(6): judgments by operation of law; interest
- Fla. Stat. 55.03: rate of interest on judgments
- Florida Chief Financial Officer: current judgment interest rates
- Fla. Stat. 61.13016: suspension of driver licenses
- Fla. Stat. 409.2564: Department of Revenue enforcement
- Fla. Stat. 61.1301: income deduction orders
- 15 U.S.C. 1673: restriction on garnishment
- 42 U.S.C. 652(k): denial of passports
A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.
This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Florida statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Florida attorney.