The Benefits of Hiring a Child Support Lawyer

Child support is a key component of the state’s efforts to ensure that children are well cared for, even when their parents’ relationship is ending. This financial obligation is designed to provide for a basic standard of living and ensure that children are able to access the educational opportunities, healthcare and overall stability that they need. For many couples, deciding how much child support to pay can be challenging and requires the help of an experienced Fort Worth family law attorney.

The State of Texas has a set formula for statutory child support. It is based on the number of children a couple has and the monthly net income of the obligee parent, or the parent responsible for paying support. For example, a single parent who makes less than $9,200 per month can expect to receive about 20 percent of that amount in child support each month.

In addition to the general guidelines, there are special provisions for low-income parents that result in a higher minimum child support payment. The state also uses a “cap” on a parent’s net resources that is adjusted every six years to account for inflation.

Regardless of how the calculation works, the primary consideration of a court is what is in the best interests of the children involved. However, this can often be difficult, especially when the two parties disagree on what the child’s needs are or how the money should be spent.

There are some common child support dispute resolution strategies, including mediation and negotiation, that can help resolve these disagreements without a need for a contested hearing in front of a judge. In some cases, however, a contested custody hearing is needed to resolve the issue and that is where having an experienced child support lawyer in Fort Worth can be invaluable.

The worst thing a noncustodial parent can do is to stop paying child support completely. This can not only put the child at risk of not being adequately supported, but it will likely cause the supporting parent to face significant legal penalties for the failure to comply with the court’s order. The best course of action is to contact an attorney as soon as possible, who can help with the process of obtaining an income withholding order from a Texas family court and transmitting it to a state-run child support division that disburses payments directly to the custodial parent.

As with all family law matters, life circumstances can change rapidly and either party may need to seek a modification in the child support amount. A Fort Worth family law attorney can help with the process of modifying an existing child support agreement, ensuring that the children’s financial needs continue to be met. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. You can be confident that we will work tirelessly to protect your rights and those of your children. We look forward to speaking with you.