Child Support

Houston Child Support Lawyer

Child support is financial support that assures children being raised by a single parent have the same opportunity for a healthy development as they would have being raised by both parents in one household. It provides for the safety, nourishment and well being of the child. Under Texas laws, when parents are divorced or unmarried, the non-custodial parent will have child support obligations. The right to child support is not the right of the custodial parent, but rather the right of the child. Therefore, child support cannot be waived.

Texas child support payments

Child support is generally determined by guidelines in the Texas Family Code and is based on the income of the paying parent and on the number of children being provided for. There are tables in the family code that your lawyer can use to estimate your payments. As an experienced family law attorney, Terry Hart can assist you with calculating your child support obligations or payments.

While Texas child support guidelines are strict, if child support under the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate under the circumstances of your case, the court can order a different amount. Deviations from the child support guidelines may be the result of factors such as the additional expenses associated with:

• raising a special needs child
• changes in health care coverage for the children previously offered through a parent's employment
• increases in daycare expenses or school activity expenses
• child support obligations for other children

While in a divorce, the child support obligations are established as a result of the final decree, in cases involving unmarried parents, a paternity action will be necessary before support payments can be established.

Modification of present child support obligations may be appropriate when there is a significant change in circumstances, such as when there is a change in income.

For a free consultation with a Houston Spanish-speaking child support attorney: Contact Terry Hart to discuss your legal questions. Se habla español.