(1)(a) The court may withhold its approval of the contract sought to be approved under ss. 743.08 and 743.09 until the filing of a guardianship plan by the parents or legal guardian of the minor, which shall provide that a part of the minor’s net earnings for services performed or rendered during the term of the contract be set aside and saved for the minor under a guardianship of the property as provided in this section, until he or she attains his or her majority or until further order of the court.

(b) The court shall fix the amount or proportion of net earnings to be set aside as it deems for the best interests of the minor, and the amount or proportion so fixed may, upon subsequent application, be modified in the discretion of the court, within the limits of the consent given at the time the contract was approved. In fixing such amount or proportion, consideration shall be given to the financial circumstances of the parent of the minor and to the needs of their other children or, if the minor has any dependents, to the needs of his or her family. If the minor has no dependents, then the court shall not require the setting aside of an amount or proportion in excess of two-thirds of the net earnings of the minor.

(c) For the purposes of this act, net earnings shall mean the gross earnings received for services performed or rendered by the minor during the term of the contract, less:

1. All sums required by law to be paid as taxes to any government or subdivision thereof with respect to or by reason of such earnings.

2. Reasonable sums to be expended for the support, care, education, coaching, training, and professional management of the minor.

3. Reasonable fees and expenses paid or to be paid in connection with the proceeding for approval, the contract, and its performance.

(d) Notwithstanding anything set forth herein, the creditors of any person, other than of the minor, shall not be entitled to the earnings of the minor.

(2)(a) If a guardian of the property of the minor has been appointed or qualified in this state, he or she shall receive and hold any net earnings directed by the court to be set aside for the minor as provided in subsection (1) and by chapter 744 governing guardians of the property. In any other case a guardian of the property shall be appointed for the purpose of holding the net earnings of the minor pursuant to the contract as directed by the court pursuant to subsection (1) and thereafter shall hold said earnings as a guardian of the property pursuant to chapter 744.

(b) A parent, guardian, or other petitioner is not ineligible to be appointed as guardian of the property or earnings of a minor derived from a contract approved pursuant to ss. 743.08 and 743.09 by reason of his or her interest in any part of the minor’s earnings under the contract or proposed contract or by reason of the fact that he or she is a party to or otherwise interested in the contract or in the minor’s performance under the contract, provided such interest is fully disclosed to the court.

History.—s. 40, ch. 95-401.