Keller, Texas Child Support Attorneys

Compassionate Lawyers Representing Parents With Child Support Concerns

After a divorce, a court order of child support ensures that both parents are held responsible for paying for a child's upbringing. It is also often ordered after paternity cases where the parents were never married. In any case, if you have questions about your rights and obligations concerning support, consider reaching out to a Keller, TX child support lawyer.

At Powell Law Offices, P.C., we are familiar with child support laws, as well as the circumstances in which support can be modified. Drawing on over 50 years of total firm experience, we can represent parents on either side of a support dispute.

How Much Do I Have to Pay in Child Support?

Texas calculates child support using a formula using the paying parent's net monthly income and the number of children who need support. For one child, the guideline amount is generally 20 percent of net monthly income. That percentage increases with each additional child, up to 40 percent for five or more children. Net income is calculated after certain deductions, including taxes, union dues, and health insurance premiums for the child.

These guideline amounts apply to the first several thousand dollars of the paying parent's net monthly income, and a court may order additional support above that threshold in some cases, particularly when the child has significant needs. A judge can also deviate from the standard guidelines when the calculated amount would be unjust or inappropriate given the circumstances of the case, such as when a parent has extraordinary medical expenses or travel costs related to visitation.

Support obligations often extend beyond a basic monthly payment. A court may also require a parent to maintain health insurance for the child, contribute to uninsured medical expenses, or help cover the cost of childcare. Support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, though it can continue indefinitely for a child with a disability. At Powell Law Offices, P.C., our attorneys can help you calculate an accurate support obligation and make sure the final order reflects your family's actual circumstances.

Common Reasons to Modify Child Support in Texas

A child support order is not always permanent, and Texas law allows either parent to request a modification when circumstances change. A common basis for modification is a substantial change in either parent's income, such as a job loss, a significant raise, or a change in employment status. A parent seeking a modification generally must show that at least three years have passed since the last order or that there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances.

Other common reasons for modification include a change in the child's needs, such as new medical conditions or educational expenses, a change in custody or the amount of time the child spends with each parent, and the incarceration of a paying parent. Parents should not simply stop making payments or informally agree to a different amount, since an existing order remains enforceable until a court formally modifies it.

What Can I Do if My Ex Will Not Pay Child Support?

Unpaid child support can create serious financial strain for a custodial parent. Texas provides several enforcement tools for parents who are owed support, including wage withholding, interception of tax refunds, suspension of a driver's license or professional license, and placement of liens on property. In more serious cases, a court can hold a non-paying parent in contempt, which may result in fines or even jail time.

Before pursuing enforcement, it can help to document missed payments and any communication with the other parent about the support order. A parent facing enforcement action still has the right to raise defenses, such as showing that payments were in fact made or that a formal modification changed the amount owed. Our attorneys can help you pursue the enforcement options that best fit your situation and work to recover the support your child is owed.

Contact Our Keller Child Support Lawyers Today

When a parent stops receiving the support their child depends on, or a paying parent falls behind on what a court has ordered, the financial pressure can build quickly. For legal help, contact our Keller, Texas child support attorneys or call 972-584-9382 for a free consultation. We offer in-person and virtual consults.