Fighting for Your Child's Future: Why We're the Only Fort Worth Child Support Attorney You Need on Your Side.

Many parents have to go through a lot of conflict before they can finalize their divorce proceedings. This is usually because their relationship may no longer work for each party, but both parents’ love for their children will always be strong.

One part of finalizing a divorce involving children is the child custody and child support arrangement. Usually, both parents want custody of the children, but if custody is awarded to the other parent, they will need to pay fair and reasonable child support payments.

Child support payments are in place to ensure that the parent who has become the primary custodial parent has the means to clothe, feed and house the child now that they have them the majority of the time.

Contact Youngblood Law, PLLC

If you are considering divorce, and want guidance regarding the fair amount of child support that should be paid, you should contact one of our child support attorneys here at Youngblood Law, PLLC.

Equally, if your circumstances have changed, your child support arrangement is no longer viable for you, or you are struggling with paying child support, you should get in touch. Our child support lawyers can help you pursue a modification of your child support orders under the Texas family code.

Call us today at 817-369-3970

Main Factors That Determine Payments Under Child Support Guidelines

While ultimately, family law Judges have some discretion when it comes to deciding what child support payments will need to be paid, they will typically consider the following:

• The adjusted net income of an individual after expenses have been accounted for
• The number of children who require support in the current case
• Additional dependents a person may have
• Special needs of the children, such as disabilities or medical conditions

Determining Child Support Payments in Fort Worth, Texas

Texas child support laws dictate that when child support payments need to be calculated, it is done so by applying a percentage to the non-custodial parents income after certain expenses have been taken.

There will be a set fee schedule that orders the named individual to pay a certain amount of child support on a set time frame. This may be weekly or monthly.

There is also a range of different factors that may mean the individual has to pay more, or less than the standard amount. An example of this would be if the child is suffering from a medical condition or has decided they wish to attend a private school. In these circumstances, the payments may be higher.

In most cases, the custodial parent, the one whose home the child lives in most of the time, will not have to pay child support, even if there is a huge disparity in income.

Family law Judges will begin by considering your income, including your salary, bonuses, tips, and compensation payments. They will then deduct certain expenses that are dictated in the family code and then apply the fee schedule to that figure, giving a set amount to pay.

What is the Percentage Calculation for Child Support Payments

When it comes to figuring how much child support is going to be deducted from your net monthly income, the general rules are as follows:

• One child: 20% of net income
• Two children: 25% of net income
• Three children: 30% of net income
• Four children: 35% of net income

Remember, while these are close estimates and a good guideline to follow when working things out yourself, there is no minimum child support in Texas, and the Judge may make their own decision that is different from the above rules.

Can I Modify Child Support Arrangements?

Seeking child support modifications is possible, but changing an existing child support order will require a compelling case. Your best chance of achieving a modification is to build your case with a skilled attorney that has experience in seeking modifications.

If you have gone through a substantial life change and your circumstances have changed to the point where your child support agreement is no longer viable, the courts may reduce your payment. Examples of this change of circumstances include losing a job, developing an illness or disability, or remarrying and having more children.

Enforcing Child Support

Remember, divorce decrees are legally binding, so you cannot stop paying child support. Equally, you cannot withhold visitation of your children because your ex-spouse is refusing to pay child support, they are separate legal issues. If you refuse visitation, you are also breaking your legal obligation.

The best thing you can do if your ex refuses to pay child support is to speak to an attorney who may be able to reason with them. Child support payments do not go away, and they will need to be paid eventually, sometimes with interest if the payments are missed for too long.

If they continue to refuse, the courts may enforce the order, issuing a warrant for their arrest or garnishing their wages and fining them.

Fort Worth Child Support FAQs