Accounting of Child Support Payments

I had a recent comment on my blog asking me a question about whether or not Florida court's require a child support recipient to provide an accounting of how child support money is spent. The short answer to the question is yes, in certain circumstances. 2007->Ch0061->Section%2013#0061.13">Florida Statute Section 61.13(1)(a) states that "The court initially entering a child support order shall also have continuing jurisdiction to require the obligee to report to the court on terms prescribed by the court regarding the disposition of the child support payments". I've never actually requested for an accounting of how child support is spent, and it seems, based upon the case law that I have read, that the courts will only require an accounting when it is requested by a party if the custodial parent is squandering money that is intended for the support of the child. This is not something that happens automatically and I don't see a lot of courts encouraging the use of accounting of child support funds. Therefore, if you are fearful that your ex-spouse is not spending child support funds properly, you can request an accounting, but that doesn't mean you are going to get it. The courts will order this at their discretion, and absent compelling facts that a child is not being properly cared for, I find it unlikely that a court would grant a request for an accounting.