Child Support Attorneys in The Woodlands Ensuring Financial Stability for Your Children

Of all the divorce expenses, many people believe child support of all things is some financial punishment. Both parents are financially responsible for their children, and this does not change when divorce happens or couples split.

In Texas, the court can order jail time for a parent for up to six months for violating a child support agreement and fines of up to $500 for every nonpayment of child support. The Child Support Evader Program publishes names and photos of parents who owe more than $5,000 in child support and have warrants for arrest.

Child support is taken seriously in Texas as the money is devoted to a child’s overall well-being. As child support is often a sore spot, we help spouses reach a fair agreement regarding child support payments and legally enforce or pursue recourse when a spouse does not deliver child support payments as agreed upon.

Another way our experienced child support attorneys help spouses navigate child support is after profound changes in circumstances. Failure to pay child support isn’t always a “deadbeat” dad issue, but job loss, medical and health problems, and other financial reasons might require an alternative payment plan.

If conflict with your spouse is holding up child support payments or you need a voice of reason to negotiate child support obligations, contact an experienced attorney with our law firm so we can take action on your behalf.

How are Child Support Payments Calculated in Texas?

In Texas, child support is money given to the custodial parent to support their children. The custodial parent is a mother or father with physical custody of the children.

The custodial parent is financially responsible for their children’s housing and “everyday” expenses, including bedding, haircuts, clothing, education, medical treatment, and more. Child support payments go toward funding these important life essentials.

Parents are supposed to reach a financial agreement regarding child support, though if this is not possible, the courts will determine child support payments based on the presumed interests of the children. Non-custodial parents must contribute 20 percent of their net income for one child and an additional five percent for subsequent children.

There is a cap on child support payments, and it’s not a free-for-all. Child support is specifically used to support the children financially and is not to be confused with alimony or spousal maintenance.

Child support is court-ordered, and the court must review any changes to the original agreement. If you are having issues paying child support or need to enforce a child support agreement legally, our experienced child custody attorneys can help.

Contact Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law, and schedule your consultation to discuss child support payments: 713-766-3733.

What is a Child Support Order?

A child support order is a legal court order the primary custodian parent uses to get child support from the non-custodial parent. Children are legally entitled to financial support from both parents until they are 18. This fact does not change if the parents are married, separated, divorced, or never married.

A child support order is usually created in divorce when an unmarried parent seeks child support or a state child support agency is used to obtain child support for children. The court calculates child support using a basic formula, which awards a certain percentage based on a non-custodial parent’s income.

The court also reviews other factors, such as the children’s ages, specific needs and expenses, and any additional financial resources available to the custodial parent and children. Some non-custodial parents contest child support for one reason or another if they feel it’s an unfair ruling.

Our attorneys work with primary custodial parents to file a child support order to get the financial support their children are entitled to. We also help parents contest unfair child support orders when necessary.

Our legal services can turn your situation around. Get help regarding your child support issues or any other family law matter when you schedule your consultation with our law office. Call us today for advice: 713-766-3733.

Who Pays Child Support in Joint Custody or Conservator Arrangements?

Joint custody is also known as joint conservatorship in Texas. Many parents assume they don’t have to pay child support if they equally care for the children in this arrangement. On the contrary, there is still a custodial parent and a non-custodial parent.

The non-custodial parent usually pays the custodial parent child support as they are responsible for their children’s necessities and everyday living expenses, including a home, food, clothing, utilities, education, extracurricular activities, and other related costs.

The non-custodial parent pays agreed-upon child support payments to supplement the primary custodial parent’s income. We help parents pursue child support to care for their children, and we know the courts will share in this urgency.

The court will use a basic calculation to determine child support, which is usually 20 percent of a person’s income, and any subsequent children result in an additional five percent. Parents are encouraged to agree on child support payments, though the court will intervene if necessary.

The non-custodial parent is responsible for the agreed-upon payments. As child support is court-ordered, under no circumstances should payments stop or change unless approved by the court first. Contact our attorneys if you are currently dealing with challenging child support issues. Call: 713-766-3733.

What are Common Child Support Issues Attorneys Can Help With?

Child support issues bubble up for many reasons. Sometimes disputes arise in divorce when two parents struggle to agree on financial terms. Life circumstances might change and force a non-custodial parent to modify a child support arrangement. Other times our legal services are retained because a non-custodial parent refuses to pay child support.

A common issue for non-payment of child support is life circumstances, including job loss, severe medical problems, death, bankruptcy, increased expenses, or the child’s financial needs have changed.

We try to help our clients avoid child support issues, but we are quick to move when they do. Non-payment of child support is a problem for the custodial parent taking on more significant financial responsibility, and as such, there are many ways to pursue non-payment. These include income taxes, property liens, bonds or arrests, wage garnishment, criminal prosecution, and more.

Failing to pay child support is an issue we will take to the judge on your behalf so that you don’t get behind on other payments. As child support is a court order, taking the legal route and notifying an attorney and your spouse that you can no longer pay is always the way to go.

Schedule your consultation with our experienced attorneys to discuss your child support case: 713-766-3733.