Going through a divorce in Texas with young children can be an emotionally challenging experience, and ensuring you maintain your rights as a parent is essential if having quality time with your children is important to you.
Texas provides a comprehensive online portal to make child support easy to understand.
Who pays child support?
In Texas, the parent who spends the least amount of time with the children pays child support to the other parent. The state bases this number on a percentage of that parent’s monthly income, and after the judge or you and your ex-spouse calculate the amount, the court officially decides if the number makes sense for the standard of living of the children.
Income includes:
- Wages, salary, sales commissions and tips
- Severance
- Retirement
- Unemployment
- Social Security
- Workers’ compensation
- Business income such as from a rental property
Deductions include:
- Taxes
- Union dues
- Child health insurance
Support for one child generally requires 20% of the noncustodial parent’s income, two children is 25% and so on up to 40% for five or more children. The court will ultimately determine the final payment amount based on the ages of each child and their individual needs, care and education expenses and health insurance.
Will your case go to court?
Some child support cases may go to court if the parents are unable to agree on terms, if one of the parents is a minor or if there is a history of family violence. You and your ex-spouse will meet with a Child Support Officer or Assistant Attorney General who will help you negotiate, and once you both agree on the terms, you or your CSO presents them to the judge. If you cannot come to an agreement, the judge will make the final decision.
Is your time with your children protected?
Settling your child support case in a way that is fair to you, your ex-spouse and your children’s well-being is vital for your children’s future security and your own happiness and peace of mind. Utilizing the knowledge of an experienced family lawyer can help you navigate the Texas child support system, and handle your case in the best way possible.
