"How much child support will I have to pay?" This is one of the most common questions parents have when negotiating parenting plans during divorce or following separation. While Texas courts use standard guidelines for determining support, understanding how these guidelines apply to your situation often requires the insight of an experienced lawyer.
Diana L. Porter, a Board Certified family lawyer, assists clients in McKinney and throughout Collin County, Texas, to determine, establish or modify child support. Having represented family law clients since 1987, she brings her knowledge and skills to helping clients make informed decisions about child-related matters.
Child support in Texas is generally determined by calculating the "net resources" of the parent who will pay support and multiplying that amount by the appropriate percentage according to the state's child support guidelines. The Texas Attorney General's website includes a child support calculator so that you can estimate your child support obligation. However, such calculations are often flawed.
"Net resources" has a specific statutory definition, and the miscalculation of net resources is one of the most common errors parents make when doing child support calculations. Even when the calculations are correct, there may be other considerations that make the estimated child support inappropriate in a specific case.
Diana L. Porter has a thorough understanding of the child support guidelines and the other factors that affect child support obligations. Whether you expect to pay or receive child support, she can assist you in determining the appropriate child support amount to be paid in your family law case.
Under Texas law, court-ordered child support must be paid until the child reaches 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. If you are entitled to receive support for a child but have not obtained a court order requiring support to be paid, then you should consider doing so. If you have a court order but your former spouse or partner has neglected to pay court-ordered child support, you should consider enforcing that support. Ms. Porter can assist you in protecting your children's rights to receive financial support.
Parents may also seek modification of court-ordered child support if they or the children have experienced a change in circumstances since the support order was established. Modifications may be appropriate when the income of the parent paying support increases or decreases. Changes in possession or in the needs of the children may also support a modification. Additionally, the income cap in the child support guidelines is changed from time to time, and when changed, it could expose more income to the child support calculation of a high wage earner.
If you are paying or receiving child support, or if you wish to discuss your questions about child support, contact McKinney attorney Diana L. Porter at (972) 562-0038 to evaluate your case and discuss your options. You may also contact the firm by email.