In the state of Texas, child support is considered one of the most fundamental aspects of a divorce case. Any time a couple with young children decide to end their marriage, the court not only decides who gets to raise the children, but also decides who should pay child support, how much child support should be paid, and how long it should be paid.
How Does Child Support Work in Texas?
In the state of Texas, child support is generally paid by the non-custodial parent (also referred to as obligor) to the custodial parent (also referred to as obligee).
This is because the custodial parent already invests a great deal of time and effort to raise the children. So, it would be unfair to make them pay child support as well. The non-custodial parent, on the other hand, spends less time with the children and does not have the responsibility of caring for them on a daily basis. So, they are required to financially assist the custodial parent by paying child support.
How is Child Support Calculated in Texas?
In the state of Texas, child support is calculated primarily based on two factors.
- The monthly income of the parent who pays child support
- The number of children they are paying child support to
In a vast majority of cases, the non-custodial parent will be asked to pay 20% of their monthly income towards child support – if they only have one child.
If, on the other hand, they have two children, they will be asked to pay 25% of their monthly income towards child support. If they have three children, they will be asked to pay 30% of their monthly income, and so on.
How is the State of Texas Child Support Paid?
There are several child support payment options available to Texas residents. In the state of Texas, child support can be paid in many different ways, including:
- Credit or debit cards
- Checks
- Money orders
- Cash
- Wage withholding
- Automatic bank drafts
How are Child Support Orders Enforced in Texas?
In the state of Texas, child support orders are enforced very strictly by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This is because the children who are abandoned or left behind by their parents become the responsibility of the state.
To avoid such a situation to the extent possible, the OAG collects child support payments from non-custodial parents and distributes them to custodial parents. If and when a parent violates the court’s order and fails to pay child support, the OAG takes several measures including:
- Suspension of the driver’s license, professional license, and other licenses
- Passport denial
- Filing liens on properties
- Intercepting lottery winnings
- Filing civil and criminal contempt charges against the parent
Can a Child Support Order Be Modified in Texas?
Yes, it can be. If the circumstances under which the order was issued have changed to a significant extent, the obligor can request the court to modify the order. For example, if the obligor develops a serious illness, disability, or loses their job, they can request the court to lower their child support payments. You can get more answers on our Austin child support laws page.
Looking for a Skilled Child Support Attorney in Texas?
In the state of Texas, child support orders are taken very seriously. If you are a non-custodial parent who is unable to meet your child support obligations due to legitimate reasons, Texas family law attorney Eric M. Willie can provide you with the legal assistance you need to modify your child support order.
If, on the other hand, you are a custodial parent who wants your child support order to enforced, Eric M. Willie can take the necessary legal action to recover the payments from the non-custodial parent.
If you have any questions regarding child support in Texas, call our law firm today at 512-982-0582 or fill out this form to schedule an appointment with one of our Texas child support attorneys.