seeking child support? know what to expect by hiring an experienced attorney

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Seeking Child Support? Know What to Expect by Hiring an

Experienced Attorney.


Divorce is difficult, and when there are children involved, it grows even more difficult. Once child custody has been

determined, the issue of child support must be resolved. In most states, when one parent is awarded sole legal or physical custody of children born of the marriage, the other parent is

required to pay support. This is also the case when the parents agree to joint custody, as the children are often physically

placed with one of the parents. Custodial parents should seek the advice of a divorce attorney in order to ensure support

orders are properly administered.


Calculating Support

In the state of Texas, child support is based on the non-custodial parent’s net income, whether the parent is working or

not. The state support guidelines say that a non-custodial parent must pay a specified percentage of his or her net

income. This amount continues to increase in percentage based on the number of children the child support will go towards.


In addition, Texas law allows the courts to order the person paying support to also pay medical support for the

child or children to cover health insurance costs. If the custodial parent is required to provide health insurance

coverage, the court will order the non-custodial parent to pay additional support to cover those costs.


Ability to Pay

When the non-custodial parent becomes unemployed or their hours are significantly reduced, they may request a modification if it has been three years since the support order was created and the amount currently ordered differs by 20 percent or $100 from

the amount that would be paid based on current income and guidelines. A San Antonio divorce attorney can provide valuable

advice regarding child support modifications in order to guarantee that the children are supported by both parents

equally.


Visitation and Support

Visitation and support in Texas are completely separate matters. If a custodial parent is refusing to allow the non-custodial parent to see their children, they must still pay

support as ordered by the court. If there are valid reasons to keep the children from the non-custodial parent, such as violence or substance abuse, it is important to discuss the

situation with a divorce attorney, even though it does not affect support.


The state also requires that support payments continue if the children move in with the non-custodial parent until the

support order has been modified through the courts. Texas requires support to be paid until the child turns 18 or

graduates from high school, but a divorce attorney can add a stipulation in a divorce decree requiring payment until the

child graduates from college.


Child support can be very complicated and confusing, which is why talking to a divorce lawyer is advisable to

be sure the children receive the support they deserve.

seeking child support? know what to expect by hiring an experienced attorney

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