Experienced Child Support Lawyers in Frisco, Texas
Protecting Your Children’s Best Interests
We understand that child support is a critical issue for many parents. Whether you are the custodial or non-custodial parent, ensuring fair and appropriate child support is essential for meeting your child’s needs. Our experienced family law attorneys help clients navigate the complexities of child support cases in Frisco, Texas, and the surrounding areas. We are committed to helping you secure a fair child support arrangement and ensure the needs of your child are met.
How is Child Support Calculated in Texas?
Texas follows child support guidelines that are intended to standardize the amount of support based on the paying parent’s income. However, several factors can influence the final amount, such as:
The amount of time each parent spends with the child
The more time a parent has physical possession of the child, the lower their child support obligation may be.
Special needs of the child
If the child requires special care or medical treatment, additional support may be required.
Extra-curricular activities
Expenses for things like sports, music lessons, and other activities may be included in the support calculation.
Income and earning potential
For high-earning individuals, strict application of percentage guidelines might not be appropriate. The court will consider both parents’ income and ability to pay when determining the child support amount.
Child Support Duration
In Texas, child support is typically required until the child turns 18 years old. However, there are exceptions:
- High school students
If the child is still in high school at age 18, child support may continue until the child graduates.
- Disabled children
If the child is disabled, child support may continue indefinitely.
- Emancipation
If the child marries, joins the military, or is otherwise emancipated, child support may end earlier.
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The Child Support Process
The child support process typically follows these steps:
1 Filing a Petition
The process begins when one parent files for child support in court. This may be part of a divorce or a separate legal action.
2 Calculating Support
The court will use the Texas Child Support Guidelines to calculate the support amount, but will also consider other factors that may impact the child’s needs and the parents’ financial situations.
3 Modification of Support
If there are significant changes in circumstances (such as a job loss, income increase, or change in the child’s needs), child support orders can be modified. Our team will help you navigate the modification process.
4 Enforcement of Support
If a parent fails to pay child support, there are legal mechanisms in place to enforce the order. This may include wage garnishment or other collection methods.
Why You Need a Skilled Child Support Lawyer
Child support issues can be complex, especially when both parents disagree on the amount or when one party is not paying the required support. An experienced attorney can help ensure that the support arrangement is fair and enforceable. We are committed to helping you protect your child’s financial well-being.
Common Questions About child support in Texas
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Can we make a private agreement outside of court?You can, but we strongly recommend having it approved by the court to protect both parties.
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Do support payments cover health insurance or daycare?These expenses can be addressed in the order depending on your child’s needs.
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What happens if support isn’t being paid?The court can take action to enforce the order, including wage garnishment and other remedies.
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Can we change our support order later?Yes, support can be modified if there’s been a significant change in circumstances.
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How much support will I receive or have to pay?Texas uses a guideline formula, but the specifics depend on your income, custody arrangement, and other factors.
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When does the duty to pay child support end?
Unless the child marries sooner than age 18, joins the military, or does something else to become “emancipated” prior to turning 18 years of age, child support orders continue until the child reaches age 18. But if the child is in high school at age 18, support continues until high school graduation. If the child is disabled, it may be possible to continue child support for an indefinite period. Texas law makes no provision for support during college, or the payment of college expenses. But the parties may provide for the payment of those expenses by contract.
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To what should the parties look for guidance regarding amount of child support to be paid?
The Texas Family Code contains guidelines for the computation of child support. The guideline amount is presumably the minimum amount which should be awarded as support for the children. If any child has “special needs,” then additional child support may be awarded.
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What is "child support"?
Child support is money paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent in order to meet the needs of the children. There are main reasons and factors that require child support. Basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter set the minimum amount of child support needed. Most stares require divorced parents to have some form of health insurance for their children. The parent with the better employee-covered benefits will require a medical, dental and/or vision plan. There are uninsured or “extraordinary” medical expenses such as out-of-pocket medical costs, dental braces, casts, eyeglasses and other expenses. Other expenses such as transportation, entertainment, extracurricular activities, and college are included.
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What happens if the parent ordered to pay child support doesn't pay?Texas has strong enforcement measures for child support, including wage garnishment, intercepting tax returns, or even suspension of a driver’s or professional license. If you are having difficulty receiving child support payments, we can help enforce the order through legal means.
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How long does child support last?In most cases, child support lasts until the child turns 18. However, if the child is still in high school at age 18, child support will continue until the child graduates. In cases involving children with disabilities, child support may continue for an indefinite period.
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