Corsicana Child Support Attorney

Helping You Navigate the Child Support Process

When parents separate or divorce, the court will determine which parent will have custody of the children and how much child support the noncustodial parent will have to pay. Child support is a court-ordered payment that is intended to help the custodial parent pay for the child’s needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.

At The Law Office of Michael J. Crawford, PLLC, we understand that child support can be a contentious issue. Our Corsicana child support lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations and work to ensure that the child support order is fair and reasonable.

For more information about child support in Texas, call (214) 903-7722 or contact us online.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?

In Texas, child support is calculated based on a percentage of the noncustodial parent’s net income. The percentage is determined by the number of children the parent has to support. The court will also consider the noncustodial parent’s ability to pay and the child’s needs.

Under Texas law, the following guidelines are used to calculate child support:

• 20% of net income for one child
• 25% of net income for two children
• 30% of net income for three children
• 35% of net income for four children
• 40% of net income for five children
• Not less than 40% of net income for six or more children

Net income is calculated by subtracting certain expenses from the parent’s gross income. These expenses include federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security tax, union dues, and the cost of the parent’s health insurance.

It is important to note that the court may deviate from the guidelines if the child has special needs or if the noncustodial parent’s income is above a certain amount. The court may also deviate from the guidelines if the noncustodial parent is supporting other children.

How Long Does Child Support Last in Texas?

In Texas, child support is generally paid until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. However, if the child is disabled, the court may order the noncustodial parent to continue paying child support indefinitely.

Child support may also end if the child gets married, joins the military, or becomes emancipated. In some cases, the court may order the noncustodial parent to continue paying child support after the child turns 18 if the child is still in high school and is expected to graduate before turning 19.

What Happens If I Can’t Afford to Pay Child Support?

If you are unable to pay child support, you should not simply stop making payments. If you fail to make child support payments, you may be held in contempt of court and face serious penalties, including fines and jail time.

If you are unable to pay child support, you should contact an experienced child support attorney as soon as possible. Our Corsicana child support lawyer can help you request a child support modification. To obtain a modification, you must show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances that makes the current child support order unreasonable or unfair.

Examples of a substantial change in circumstances include:

• The loss of a job
• A significant decrease in income
• A serious illness or disability
• The birth of another child

If you are unable to pay child support because you are in jail or prison, you may be able to request a temporary suspension of child support. However, you must request the suspension before you are released from jail or prison.

What Happens If My Ex-Spouse Refuses to Pay Child Support?

If your ex-spouse refuses to pay child support, you should contact an experienced child support attorney as soon as possible. Our Corsicana child support lawyer can help you file a child support enforcement action. If the court finds that your ex-spouse has failed to pay child support, the court may hold your ex-spouse in contempt of court and impose serious penalties, including fines and jail time.

Other penalties for failing to pay child support include:

• Wage garnishment
• Seizure of bank accounts
• Seizure of tax refunds
• Liens on property
• Suspension of a driver’s license
• Suspension of a professional license
• Denial of a passport

If your ex-spouse is not paying child support, you should keep a record of all missed payments. You should also keep a record of any communication you have with your ex-spouse about child support. This information can be helpful if you need to file a child support enforcement action.

How Can a Child Support Lawyer Help Me?

Child support can be a contentious issue. Our Corsicana child support lawyer can help you understand your rights and obligations and work to ensure that the child support order is fair and reasonable. If you are unable to pay child support, we can help you request a child support modification. If your ex-spouse is not paying child support, we can help you file a child support enforcement action.

At The Law Office of Michael J. Crawford, PLLC, we can help you with all child support matters, including:

• Child support calculation
• Child support modification
• Child support enforcement
• Child support collection

Call Our Corsicana Child Support Lawyer Today

Child support is a court-ordered payment that is intended to help the custodial parent pay for the child’s needs. If you need help with a child support matter, we can help. Our Corsicana child support lawyer has extensive experience helping clients with all child support matters, including child support calculation, child support modification, child support enforcement, and child support collection.

For more information about child support in Texas, call (214) 903-7722 or contact us online.