At Stepp & Sullivan, our family law attorneys in Houston, Texas know that child support payments are designed to ensure the children’s quality of life remains intact after their parents have divorced.
The amount one parent pays to the other is calculated by their child custody, visitation, and parenting agreement. However, once those decisions are made by the parents during their divorce proceedings or court-ordered during a hearing or trial it is difficult for both parents to know whether the amount is fair.
Here is what our clients need to know about their child support rights, no matter which side of the payment they are on.
Why is Child Support Required After a Divorce?
Child support payments are awarded to ensure the children’s well-being and quality of life are at the forefront of the divorce proceedings.
When parents cannot decide on child custody and support arrangements on their own, a Texas family law judge will always rule in favor of the circumstances that will best support the children involved.
Child support is typically paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent — which is the parent with whom the children spend most of their time — to help support the couple’s minor children.
Child support payments intended to be used for:
- Food
- Clothing
- Housing
- Transportation
- Childcare
- Education and Supplies
- Medical Care
- Additional Activities/Classes/Sports
Child support helps the children make an easier transition into living in a single-parent household and continue to live a fulfilled life.
How Much Child Support Should the Custodial Parent Receive?
This is where things get tricky, from a personal standpoint.
Parents often have no idea what to expect when a judge assigns an amount.
However, the formulas used to outline how much the non-custodial parent pays are based on the Texas Child Support Division, the state’s estimated calculations, and the Federal Child Support Enforcement Act, which outlines different child support calculations for custodial parents based on their unique situations.
The factors Texas family courts consider for child support payment amounts include:
- Current Parental Custody Agreement
- The ability of Non-Custodial Parent to Pay Child Support
- Number of Children Involved in the Case
The calculations typically start at 20% of the payer’s total net income of $9,200* or less per month, if they have one child, and increase incrementally when there are multiple children.
If the payer’s income is more than $9,200* per month, then your child support will be greater than 20% (for one child) or up to 100% of the child’s actual needs.
*This amount changes every six years based on inflation.
Therefore, it is vital to partner with a skilled Texas child support attorney who can explain the legal rights and options that are specific to your unique child custody case.
Partnering with an experienced family law attorney also allows parents to have the legal support they need to ensure they are being treated fairly and paying or receiving the appropriate amount of child support. We can help, no matter which side of the equation you are on.
Contact Our Skilled Family Law Attorneys in Texas to Discuss Your Unique Divorce, Child Custody, and Child Support Needs Today
If you pursuing a divorce and have questions about the legal process, including who will get custody of the children, and how much child support payments will be, contact our experienced family law attorneys in Texas today at (713) 336-7200 or online to learn more about your legal rights and options, so you can move forward with confidence.
