Houston Child Support Attorneys
Get Representation With Our Child Support Attorney in Houston, Texas
When couples with children get divorced in Texas, several factors must be outlined and fully sorted before everyone can move forward with life after the marriage dissolves.
First, parents will have to establish child custody and visitation, which can be incredibly difficult during contentious divorces. Even during amicable divorces, making decisions about where your children will live can be challenging.
Once those details are established, each of your child’s unique needs will be fulfilled through child support requirements that are established by the court, if the parents do not agree on the terms first.
At Stepp & Sullivan, P.C., our experienced Houston child support attorneys will ensure your financial outline is fair, and that whether you are the parent paying or receiving child support because your kids’ livelihoods depend on us getting it right.
Who Pays Child Support in Houston, Texas?
The true answer to who pays child support in Houston is, it depends.
Both men and women can be ordered to pay child support.
Additionally, either or both parents may be ordered to pay child support regularly, in a lump sum, or both.
Typically, the non-custodial parent, or the parent who spends the least amount of time with the child and with whom the child does not live, pays support.
The State of Texas provides a child support calculator that provides an estimate for a single income, which many people use to determine what they might pay based on their income and the number of children they are supporting.
However, it is best to avoid attempting to calculate appropriate child support payments without the help of an experienced child support attorney in Houston, as the total amount that he or she must pay depends on various factors and complex guidelines.
With the help of Stepp & Sullivan, our child support lawyers in Houston, Texas will outline each detail necessary to establish a real-time child support payment based on all the facts of your divorce and child custody details.
What are the Child Support Considerations in Houston, Texas?
In the State of Texas, there are legal caps on the amount of child support any parent must pay.
The non-custodial parent typically pays child support based on the following percentages:
- 20% of his or her net income for one child
- 25% for two children
- 30% for three children
- 35% for four children
- 40% for five children
- 40% or more for six or more children
Child support payments cannot exceed the maximum, which is currently based on a net income of $7,500 per month.
In Texas, child support continues until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school – whichever is the latter.
What Factors Affect Child Support Payments in Houston?
The factors and guidelines that affect child support payments are designed to ensure the children’s best interests and overall livelihoods are not in financial jeopardy because of their parents’ divorce.
Because the courts are focused on children enjoying the same quality of life they did before the divorce, they may consider several factors when determining a fair child support payment, including:
- The child’s age and overall needs
- The ability of each parent to pay support
- Available financial resources
- The cost of traveling to visit the child
- The amount of possession (custody) and access each parent has to the child
- Whether the parent has custody of another child
- The amount of alimony is received or paid by the parent
- Provisions for health care and education
- Employer benefits the parents receive
- Each parent’s obligations and debts
- Any wage or salary deductions
- Positive or negative cash flow from any assets
The court may take other factors that are unique to your situation into consideration, including whether you have children with special needs. To learn exactly what will be evaluated for your case, contact our child support attorneys in Houston at Stepp & Sullivan for a consultation today.
What is Above Guideline Child Support?
In Houston, our child support attorneys may argue special circumstances are present in a case that will support a claim for “above guideline support.”
Many of the points that can be argued for above guideline support may include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining the lifestyle the child has become accustomed
- Meeting the special needs of children with disabilities
- Providing therapy for children
If you believe you are entitled to the above guideline child support in Texas, our experienced Houston family law attorneys can help you prepare your case for review.
How Are Child Support Payments Enforced?
The court where your child support was decided may enforce their child support orders and often hold non-paying parents in contempt for failure to pay.
In Texas, child support enforcement methods may include, but are not limited to:
- Wage garnishment
- Seizure of lottery winnings
- Seizure of tax refunds
- Suspension of a driver’s license.
Enforcement actions are highly technical and require an experienced attorney to produce results. At Stepp & Sullivan, our Houston child support lawyers know how much this financial support means to both parents — those paying and those receiving. That is why we work so hard to produce the best outcome available for each of our clients.
Can I Pursue Child Support Modification in Houston?
As time goes by and situations change, it is often necessary to modify the child support terms.
Many factors may require a child support modification, including:
- Is your child entitled to more support?
- Are you entitled to a reduction in the amount of your monthly child support?
If you have lost your job, or if your child has a significant financial need, modifications can be made, to level the financial fairness on both ends.
No matter which side of the child support agreement you are on, the experienced Houston child support lawyers at Stepp & Sullivan, P.C. can answer these questions for you and effectively make your case to the court, so you can get what you deserve.
Contact Our Experienced Houston Child Support Lawyers Today
When parents get divorced, child support is a critical matter that must be decided by the courts, if the parents cannot agree on their own.
If you have children, they deserve to have both parents contribute as equally as possible to their wellbeing, and our attorneys can help you get there faster, with fewer headaches.
At Stepp & Sullivan, P.C, our child support lawyers in Houston can help you resolve several issues regarding child support, so you can make a financial plan that works for your future.
Our Houston child support attorneys have more than 70 years of experience assisting parents trying to understand how the State of Texas handles support and other divorce matters. We are members of the Texas State Bar Association and are eager to protect your interests during this difficult time. Call (713) 336-7200 for a consultation or complete our contact form.
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