North Texas Child Support Attorneys
Flower Mound | Lewisville | Highland Village | Denton
Child Support – What You Should Know
Our Flower Mound family law attorneys believe helping clients understand Texas child support is critical in a divorce or family law case. In Texas, child support is a legal and financial obligation that ensures the financial support of a child by both parents. Usually, child support is paid from one parent to the other parent, when the parents are not married to each other. However, that is not the only way the child support can be accomplished.
The primary goal of child support is to provide for the child’s needs, including food, clothing, shelter, education, dental care, and medical care. In many cases, child support is paid to the parent the child lives with most of the time (custodial parent) by the parent who has less time with the child (noncustodial parent).
Establishing Child Support
Child support can be established through several means including court order and agreement between the parents.
Child support is typically established through a court order during divorce proceedings, parentage proceedings, or other parent-child related litigation. If both parents can agree on a child support amount, this can streamline the process, but the agreed upon child support amount method will still be included in an order and an order will be signed by the judge in the ongoing litigation.
Guidelines for Calculation
Texas uses a standard formula created by the Office of the Attorney General to calculate child support based on the non-custodial parent’s net income. The percentage applies to the non-custodial parent’s monthly income and typically follows these guidelines:
These percentages provide a guideline, but the court can consider and adjust the amount based on specific circumstances, like parents who are high income earners and subsequent needs of the children, additional medical expenses of the children, or the special needs of a child.
Modifications to Child Support
Life changes, such as job loss, job change, a significant increase of wages or a significant decrease in income, or changes in the child’s needs, may warrant a modification of the child support order. If you’re facing major life changes, we can petition the court to adjust the child support amount accordingly. To modify a child support order, a petition must be filed telling the court what has changed and asking the court to review the facts and accordingly change the child support amount. The court will review the evidence of the changes in the circumstances before making a decision regarding the child support amount.
Enforcing Child Support
Payment of court-ordered child support is critical. Failure to pay child support can result in serious consequences. If the parent ordered to pay child support fails to make the child support payments, there are various legal measures that can be taken, including wage garnishment, suspension of driver’s license, hunting license suspension, or suspension of professional licenses, and even jail time in severe cases.
The Texas Attorney General’s office can also assist parents in certain circumstances who should be receiving child support in enforcing child support orders and parents who require a modifications of child support, in addition to a private family lawyer.
Duration of Child Support
Child support typically continues until the child turns 18 years old and has graduated from high school. In some cases, support may be extended for children with disabilities beyond the age of 18, and completion of secondary school. Each case requires special consideration for the child’s needs and the parents.
Contact Our Office Today
At Peace and Associates, PLLC, our Flower Mound divorce attorneys understand that navigating Texas child support laws can be complex for both custodial and non-custodial parents. If you have questions or need assistance navigating the child support process, contact our Flower Mound office to consult with a qualified, experienced, Denton County family law attorney to guide you through the process and advocate for you and your child’s best interests.
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“We care about each and every one of our clients and the legal issues they bring to us for assistance with. Whether you need help and guidance with a divorce or family law issue, modifying custody orders, establishing an estate plan, or probate issue, we will treat you and your case with the respect and the priority it deserves.”
Founder of Peace & Associates, PLLC
