There are a lot of misconceptions about child support. Many people are frustrated by having to meet their child support obligations. However, the Texas family court system views child support payments as a way to help children maintain stability and their standard of living post-divorce.
Although negotiations about child support can be challenging and contentious, Jennifer Wiggins Moore Family Law understands the Texas legal framework. Our family law team works to help you through the challenges that come with making child support arrangements and will work to secure the outcome that is most advantageous and fair for your children.
Divorce can be a difficult time for families. Jennifer Wiggins Moore wants to help you overcome the legal hurdles ahead so you and your child come out the other side of this situation in the best possible position. Start to regain your life today. Contact our office and arrange a free legal consultation.
Determining Child Support Payments in Texas
One of the most frequently asked questions is how the state of Texas determines child support amounts. The Texas Family Code specifies how and when parents are legally required to support their children. Most of the time, a parent must pay to support their child until that child turns 18 or they graduate from high school, whichever is later. Parents may need to pay additional support when a child is disabled or has special needs.
One of the most significant factors determining child support is the child’s living arrangements. The custodial parent, or the parent that the child lives with most of the time, receives child support payments from the non-custodial parent. Child custody agreements significantly impact child support arrangements. A family law court reviews the income and resources of each parent and determines what amount the parents should pay as support to meet the child’s best interest.
The amount of money an individual must pay for child support varies. The courts can consider the following when making a child support award decision:
- The financial resources of both parents
- Benefits of each parent
- Age and needs of the child
- Child custody arrangements
- Childcare expenses
- Whether spousal support is paid to an ex-partner
- Debts of each parent
The Texas Attorney General’s Office provides a monthly child support calculator to help you estimate your child support payments. However, accuracy varies because many factors can ultimately influence how much a parent may need to pay to help their child grow and thrive. Percentages may also be used to determine child support based on the number of children involved. Support for one child can amount to about 20 percent of a person’s net resources, while support for three children can be as much as 30 percent.
An experienced Keller attorney can help you understand how much child support you have to pay or that you may be entitled to receive to provide financial stability for your family.
Receiving and Modifying Child Support in Texas
Child support can result from a court order following divorce, child custody, and paternity cases. Working with an experienced child support attorney is the best way to obtain the money you need to stabilize your child financially. An attorney can advocate for you and your child to ensure you and your family get what’s fair. Individuals can make child support payments in periodic, lump-sum, or combination payments.
Once a court order is in place, child support is mandatory. Failing to pay can result in consequences such as wage garnishment, property liens, and jail time. Parents who do not pay child support can also face the suspension of professional or driving licenses, denial of vehicle registration, and interception of funds from income tax returns or lottery winnings. The Child Support Division has resources that can help individuals pay and receive child support and get back on track when they miss payments.
An individual can apply for a child support modification to change the terms of their child support arrangement when circumstances change. Parents can seek a modification when someone’s employment, financial situation, benefits, or medical coverage changes.
Do You Need an Attorney to Recover Child Support?
You can apply to receive child support online or via the mail. However, pursuing the money you need to stabilize your child’s home life is too vital to leave to chance. Your best option for securing child support is to turn to an experienced child support attorney for help. Working through the family law system in Texas can be complicated and stressful. Hiring a lawyer gives you the best chance to get the support your child needs.
Jennifer Wiggins Moore is a board-certified family law attorney committed to helping families rebuild their lives following divorce or separation. She puts client needs first and looks to settle legal matters as amicably and stress-free as possible. By focusing on realistic goals and bringing a sympathetic ear to the table, she provides comprehensive and personalized legal representation to families struggling to manage the emotional and financial challenges of a Texas child support case.
You do not have to manage a child support case alone. From seeking child support to modifying a current agreement or enforcing a child support order, a family law attorney who respects your goals and perspective can help you fight for what is right and work to secure the resources you need to provide a quality life for your child.
Contact Our Keller Child Support Lawyer
At Jennifer Wiggins Moore Family Law, we know you need the help of an experienced child support attorney now more than ever. Family issues, especially those involving money, can quickly become complicated, and you need the full backing of a skilled family law attorney to explain your legal rights and advocate for you. Contact our office today and request a free and confidential legal consultation to discuss your situation. Our team wants to help you find solutions to your legal issues.
Jennifer Wiggins Moore Family Law, P.C., serves clients in Keller, Fort Worth, Alliance, Presidio, North Fort Worth, and throughout Tarrant County.
