Navigating child support, other clerk’s office updates

A large portion of the phone calls we receive each week at the DeSoto County clerk’s office are child support related.

This is a unique division within our office, for a couple of reasons. First, DeSoto County is the only county in the state of Florida that still accepts child support payments in the office. All other counties require child support payments be made through the State Disbursement Unit in Tallahassee. Continuing this service has allowed those with cases here in DeSoto County to conveniently pay in person with cash or a money order. A person may also mail a money order to our office and we will receipt the payment.

The other thing that makes our child support division unique is the close working relationship the Clerk’s Office has with the Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement. While both agencies are completely separate entities, we work closely to communicate important information about ongoing child support cases. This allows for the best customer service, for both the petitioner and respondent in the case. A child support clerk and representatives from the Department of Revenue attend all court hearings and make sure records are kept accurately.

In order to establish a child support case for unmarried couples, the petitioner must file a Petition to Establish Paternity and Other Relief. The packets are available here at the clerk’s office for $22 and the cost to file is $410. This also includes the cost of issuing and serving a summons to the respondent. We always recommend consulting an attorney when filing any civil action. However, should you choose to file your own paperwork, there is a case manager available by appointment at the courthouse to assist you with completing the packet.

Once the respondent has been served, he or she has 20 days to respond. The judge will then schedule the case for mediation, the goal being that both parties will be able to come to an agreement prior to the court date. This particular petition is not only for the purposes of establishing child support, it may also include child custody and time sharing between the parents. When a child support case is nearing its end, the clerk’s office will audit the case. This is a method of verifying that the payment history matches the amount due at the end of the case.

If there is an issue either party would like to be addressed after child support has been established, a Supplemental Petition to Modify Child Support packet can be purchased in our office for $16. The filing fee for this petition is $60 and also includes the cost of issuing and serving a summons to the other party. Another service offered in our office is copies of payment histories. This is available at a cost of $1/page and can go back to the inception of the case.

Here are some helpful phone numbers that many people ask for:

Florida Department of Revenue 850-488-5437

State Disbursement Unit 877-769-0251

If you have other questions about child support, please call the clerk’s office at 993-4876 and one of our knowledgeable deputy clerks will be happy to assist you. As always you can email me directly at nadia.daughtrey@desotoclerk.com for anything I may be able to help you with.

The clerk’s office will be closed on (Monday) May 28 in remembrance of Memorial Day and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

On June 1, our clerk’s office cooks will be back at it to provide a hearty homestyle breakfast for a donation of $5 per plate. This fundraiser will benefit one of our beloved county employees whose wife has been experiencing some medical issues. We are honored to help this great family any way we can. Hope to see you there!

I am excited to announce the clerk’s office will be hosting our summer passport fair on June 2 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. We will be open these special Saturday hours to process new passport applications, renewals and take passport photos, free of charge. Please make plans to attend and take advantage of this special offer!

Best wishes to you all for a wonderful month of May!

Nadia K. Daughtrey is DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court.