Experienced San Antonio Child Support Attorneys
When Texas parents are unmarried, separated or divorced, the parent who does not have primary custody of the child must pay the other parent child support. This helps ensure that the child’s basic needs are met.
Whether you expect to pay for or receive child support, understanding your rights and obligations can be difficult without the guidance of an experienced attorney. At Reuter Law Group, PC, our lawyers have been helping San Antonio parents with child support issues for decades.
Texas Child Support FAQ
Child support issues in Texas can be both complex and contentious. It’s crucial for parents to understand all of their rights and obligations. Here at Reuter Law Group, PC, our San Antonio divorce lawyers frequently hear the following questions:
How is child support paid in Texas?
Child support can be paid directly from one parent to another. This is what often happens when the parent who is making payments is self-employed. However, for employees who get a salary or an hourly wage, the court can use an income withholding order (IWO). This means that the employer holds the money back from the person’s paycheck. That money is then sent directly to the child support agency, which distributes it to the other parent.
How Is child support calculated In Texas?
Texas law aims to make child support fair by looking at the net monthly income of both parents and the child’s needs. In general, the following breakdown is used based on the number of children involved:
- One child: 20% of the paying parent’s net income
- Two children: 25% of the paying parent’s net income
- Three children: 30% of the paying parent’s net income
- Four children: 35% of the paying parent’s net income
- Five or more children: 40% of the paying parent’s net income
There are rare situations where the court may deviate from the standard calculations based on the child’s needs. In those situations, you need an experienced family lawyer by your side.
When do child support payments end?
It depends on the case. If a child has a disability or special needs and requires lifelong care, for instance, the court can order child support payments without an end date. However, in most cases, the support payments end when the child finishes high school and/or turns 18 years old.
What if I’m having difficulty paying for child support?
In some cases, you can have a child support order modified. Perhaps the payments were initially affordable, but your own income has permanently gone down. Do not just stop paying, and try to at least make partial payments when full payments are impossible, while you seek official modification from the court.
How can our attorneys help with your San Antonio child support Issues?
Child support issues can be much more complicated than they may seem. Our San Antonio attorneys can:
- Assist you with understanding what income is countable toward net monthly income so that the support you pay or receive is fair
- Represent you in court hearings when there are complex issues involved, such as willful underemployment or a child’s special needs
- File for modifications of support when relevant circumstances (such as your employment or primary custody of the child) change
We can also assist with enforcement efforts when a paying parent fails to meet their support obligation.
Concerned About A Child Support Issue? Call Our Caring and Compassionate Family Law Attorneys
At Reuter Law Group, PC, we understand the importance of your child support concerns. Call 210-761-6184 or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation at our San Antonio office today to learn more.