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As a parent going through a divorce or separation, one of your top priorities is ensuring your child’s financial security and well-being. We know you want the best for your children. Our family law firm can help you achieve that goal.
Child support is a legal obligation for parents to provide financial assistance to help cover their child’s basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, education, and healthcare. It can be a lifeline.
At the Dodson Law Firm, PLLC, we make resolving child support matters a stress-free reality for you and your family. We’ll work with you to establish a fair and equitable child support arrangement that ensures your child has the resources they need to thrive while protecting your rights and interests as a parent.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Texas Family Code § 154.125 governs child support rules and sets forth the guidelines for determining a parent’s financial contribution.
The courts may also consider other factors when calculating child support, including:
The Code follows an income share model, which considers the noncustodial parents’ income when determining child support:
This approach ensures that the child receives the same level of financial support they would have if the parents were living together.
Our attorneys can carefully assess your income and help you better understand how the Texas Family Code applies to your case.
Texas family law judges can order two types of child support arrangements:
In this arrangement, the court grants one parent the exclusive right to make decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious instruction. The noncustodial parent is typically required to pay child support to the custodial parent.
In a joint managing conservatorship, both parents share the decision-making responsibilities for the child. Even in this arrangement, the court may order one parent to pay child support to the other, depending on factors such as each parent’s income and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.
Our experienced child support attorneys will help you understand the differences between these arrangements and work with you to determine the most appropriate solution for your family.
Calculating child support in Texas involves several key factors:
The state provides guidelines that consider the obligor’s (paying parents’) monthly net resources and the number of children requiring support. These guidelines serve as a starting point for determining child support obligations.
The courts calculate the obligor’s net monthly income by subtracting certain allowable deductions from their gross income, such as federal income taxes, Social Security taxes, and health insurance premiums for the children.
The percentage of the obligor’s net monthly income allocated for child support varies based on the number of children requiring support.
Our family law attorneys understand Texas child support guidelines and will work with you to ensure that the child support calculations accurately reflect your financial situation and your child’s needs.
As time passes, circumstances can change, which may warrant modifying an existing child support order.
Some common reasons for modifying child support include:
If either parent experiences a significant change in their financial situation, such as job loss, a promotion, or a change in the child’s needs, a modification may be necessary.
If the obligor’s income increases or decreases substantially, or if they change jobs, it may be grounds to modify the child support order.
If you need to change your child support order, the first step is to file a modification review with the court. Our attorneys can guide you through the process, gather the necessary evidence to support your case, and represent you during mediation or court hearings.
Unfortunately, some parents fail to meet their child support obligations, which can lead to significant financial hardship for the child and the custodial parent.
When a parent does not pay court-ordered child support, there can be serious consequences, such as:
We assist clients in enforcing child support orders through various methods, including:
If the courts find an obligor in contempt of court for failing to pay child support, they may face fines, jail time, or both.
The Attorney General’s Office has the authority to enforce child support orders and can take action against parents who fail to meet their obligations. Additionally, the OAG may intervene if a child is receiving state-sponsored medical support, food stamps, or WIC.
Our attorneys know about the frustration and financial strain unpaid child support carries. We work tirelessly to ensure that obligors are held accountable and they support your child’s economic needs.
When we handle your child support case, you get a team of dedicated and experienced professionals committed to protecting your rights and your child’s best interests.
Let the Dodson Law Firm, PLLC, achieve a fair and favorable outcome in your child support case.
Don’t wait to get legal help. Child support issues are complicated, emotional, and overwhelming, but with the proper legal support, you can tackle the process with confidence.
Schedule your case evaluation, and we’ll listen to your concerns, assess your case, and give you an honest review of your legal options.
