Child Support
Like all states, Texas requires parents to financially support their children. When parents separate, divorce or they have never been married, child support becomes an important issue. This is why you need an experienced child support lawyer on your side.
Many times, the least amicable divorces are high net worth divorces involving high value assets. When child support becomes a disputed issue in these cases, you need a child support lawyer who specializes in aggressively pursuing the financial support your child is entitled to, using smart negotiation skills and a keen understanding of Texas child support law.
Your child is entitled to a higher level of financial support proportional to parental income.
So, while you might be able to get by “just fine” with a lower level of financial support, your child support lawyer will explain that your child has a right to gain from a higher child support payment if the higher payment is within the other parent’s means. Thus, a court may order one parent or both parents to pay child support depending on the circumstances.
The most common scenario is that the parent who spends the least amount of time with the child will be obligated to make support payments for the child’s benefit to the other parent.
Our team will work with you to help ensure your case proceeds as smoothly as possible.
CHILD SUPPORT IN TEXAS
If you need advice or guidance in determining child support, enforcing it, or modifying it when circumstances for you or your child have substantially changed, you can turn to Bastine Law Group. Our team of family law attorneys is deeply experienced in helping parents with this issue.
While the state of Texas provides guidelines for calculating child support, a Texas child support order may involve many factors. Our firm can assist in helping you secure a fair and just outcome for the benefit of your child or children.
Connect with Bastine Law Group via our online contact form or by calling 346-551-4111 to discuss your legal needs with a Fort Bend County child support attorney.
TEXAS CHILD SUPPORT
The formula for calculating child support in Texas is based on several factors, starting with a parent’s gross income after which certain allowable deductions are made. Once the net income is determined, it will be impacted by how many children the paying parent will be supporting. Health insurance is another factor that either the paying parent or the other parent may be responsible for, depending on the circumstances.
Texas courts assume that the support payment calculated by applying the guidelines will be appropriate. Still, the amount determined can be adjusted up or down if it can be shown to the court that the Texas child support payment is unfair or not in a child’s best interests. As a parent, you will have to request the court to adjust a payment before it formally issues a new Texas child support order. The court will evaluate many factors to determine if the payment should be adjusted.
Your Texas child support lawyer will explain that the factors the court may review. This can include but is not limited to:
- Parental financial assets, reserves, and debts
- The needs of the child, especially in terms of childcare, educational costs, travel costs between homes, extracurricular expenses, and medical expenses when a child has special needs
- Spousal maintenance payments
- How much time the child spends with each parent
- Any other financial or other circumstance relevant to the case
The first step in child support is to have the support payment established through the courts. This makes it legally binding and enforceable. Those obligated to make child support payments are legally required to do so. If they do not, the order can be enforced through the courts. Child support payments can also be modified when a parent or the child has experienced a substantial change in circumstances, such as one of the following:
- One parent experiences a change in employment
- One parent experiences an increased medical expense due to an illness or injury
- A child experiences an increased medical expense due to an illness or injury
These payments can only be changed with an updated Texas child support court order.
Our team will work with you to help ensure your case proceeds as smoothly as possible.
TEXAS CHILD SUPPORT LAWYER FAQ
If we have 50/50 possession of our children, will my ex get out of child support?
Not necessarily. Usually, the parents’ incomes are also taken into consideration. Typically, in 50/50 custody situations, the higher earning parent will pay child support to the lower-earning spouse. The purpose of this is to prevent the child from experiencing a financial disparity in one home and a surplus in the other. Courts recognize that that kind of unbalanced situation is not in the best interests of the child.
What happens if my ex doesn’t pay Texas child support?
If your child’s parent doesn’t pay their Texas child support as ordered and on time, it’s subject to a 6% interest rate. If your ex still fails to pay as ordered, your child support lawyer can request help from the Attorney General on your child’s behalf and the indebted parent’s paycheck will be garnished.
The Attorney General can order garnishment of up to 50% of their paycheck. Additionally, the indebted parent could be charged with contempt of court. Contempt of court could result in a fine of $500 and six months in prison.
That’s not all though. Your child support lawyer can explain that the state can also revoke the indebted parent’s driver’s license and any professional license, block their vehicle and passport renewals, put liens on their properties, and declare them ineligible for state contracts and loans.
Can I request more child support if my child’s father got a better paying job?
Yes. Your child support lawyer can request a modification of child support due to significant changes in income. If your child’s father was just promoted and given a higher salary, your child may be entitled to an increase in child support.
Consult with your child support lawyer any time you or the other parent experiences a significant change in finances.
TEXAS CHILD SUPPORT LAWYER BASTINE LAW GROUP
If you’re facing child support matters in Texas, especially with a high income, scheduling a consultation with Bastine Law Group is an essential step towards ensuring your rights and the best interests of your child are protected. Our experienced Texas child support lawyers understand the complexities of child support calculations and the unique considerations that arise when dealing with high-income cases.
During the consultation, we will listen to your specific situation, provide guidance on the legal aspects of child support, and work with you to develop a strategic approach tailored to your circumstances. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Bastine Law Group today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards a fair resolution in your Texas child support case.
