The Woodlands Child Support Lawyer

Child Support Attorney In The Woodlands, TX

In Texas, no matter the marital status of a couple, parents are financially responsible for their children. In cases of divorce, separation, or when parents are no longer in a relationship with one another, the noncustodial parent, or parent with less custody, may become required to provide child support to the custodial parent. These can be complicated legal battles, and it can prove vital to have the legal support and guidance of our The Woodlands child support lawyer team.

At the Walke-Wilson Firm, our team of dedicated family law attorneys is proud to serve families in The Woodlands and the surrounding areas. We have been helping parents through complicated child support cases for over 35 years and are ready to put our experience and resources to good use in your situation. At the Walke-Wilson Firm, our team of lawyers is here to help you obtain a fair and reasonable child support order that will provide for the needs and best interests of your child.

Whether you are navigating an initial child support case, seeking a modification or suspension of an already existing order, or trying to enforce the child support order, it is important that you consult with a team of lawyers who can ensure your parental rights are upheld and that the best interests and needs of your child are provided for and protected. You can trust the Walke-Wilson Firm to fight for you and your child.

Understanding Custody Disputes in Texas Family Law

Custody disputes, arguments over possession and access, and determining child support are often the most heavily litigated issues in family law. Every parent should thoroughly know his or her rights to ensure their relationship with their children does not suffer. As a parent, the primary focus should be on your children’s best interest and addressing the needs of your family.

Possession & Access

In Texas, we have a standard possession order setting the possession schedule for parents in most cases. The schedule presumes that both parents should have as much time with their child as possible; however, not all cases are the same and that is where speaking with a family law attorney can help.

Child Support

The purpose of child support is to ensure your child is adequately provided for no matter which parent has possession. The Court will issue an order for a parent to obtain and maintain both health and dental insurance for the child.

Key Aspects of Child Support in Texas

In Texas, child support is a court-ordered financial arrangement that requires one parent, usually the noncustodial parent, to make payments to the other parent, usually the custodial parent, in order to help with the expenses of bringing up their shared child. This is a legal obligation that can apply to all parents, regardless of their marital or relationship status. There are several key aspects that can apply to Texas state child support, including:

• Financial duty. In Texas, both parents are legally responsible for the monetary support of their child in order to meet the needs of that child.
• Structure of payment. In Texas, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) regulates all child support payments that can be paid by annuity arrangements, periodic payments made on a regular basis, disbursements made in a lump sum, specific property being set aside, as well as a combination of any of these methods.
• Factors affecting calculation. The OAG provides guidelines that can help determine what the child support amounts will be based on, including the number of minor children, that child’s medical or dental insurance costs, the noncustodial parent’s net resources, and whether there are other dependent children involved in separate support cases.
• Support coverage. Texas may not strictly state how support can be used; these payments typically work to cover the child’s needs: shelter (either rent or mortgage payments, food and clothing, education expenses, medical and dental needs, the child’s extracurricular activities, and other basic necessities).
• Discretionary use. The custodial parent who obtains the child support payments has the ability to use these funds in a way they decide is suitable for the needs of the child, including any household expenses that can benefit the child’s overall welfare.
• Duration of support. In most cases, child support payments will continue until the child reaches the age of majority or graduates from high school, whichever occurs last. In cases where a child suffers from mental or physical disabilities, this support may extend beyond these timeframes.
• Modification of support. In Texas, child support modifications can be sought if there has been a significant change in life circumstances that would warrant a modification. These can include changes in income or arrangements of custody.
• Enforcement of support. In Texas, child support is enforced through the OAG’s Child Support Enforcement Division. This agency can take certain actions to ensure the required parent complies with child support orders and can assist with wage garnishment, property liens, and even license suspension.
• Interstate situations. If a paying or noncustodial parent resides in a different state, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, or UIFSA, can work to govern these cases and ensure enforcement even across state lines.
• Tax implications. For the paying and noncustodial parent, child support is typically not tax-deductible, nor are these payments considered to be taxable income for the parent who receives these payments.

Factors Considered in a Child Support Case

When presiding over a child support case in Texas, the judge will begin by assuming that the amount of child support under the guidelines of Texas will provide for the well-being of the child. However, they may also order additional support if those guidelines would be unfair or inappropriate in a specific case.

In order to make a determination under these circumstances, the judge will consider the child’s age and needs, the parents’ ability to support the child, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, the costs of necessary childcare, the custodial parent’s net resources, healthcare and education expenses, whether there is spousal support being paid, and the child’s travel costs to and from the noncustodial parent’s home if they live apart.

Speak With a Trusted Child Support Lawyer in The Woodlands Today

When it comes to the financial responsibility of your child, it is crucial that the noncustodial parent pays their fair share of support. With so much on the line, including the well-being of your child, having a child support attorney on your side is vital. At the Walke-Wilson Firm, our team of dedicated family law attorneys is dedicated to ensuring you and your child receive the support necessary and the noncustodial parent pays the support that is due.

If you are dealing with a child support case, either as an initial case, seeking a modification, or are in need of enforcing an order, the Walke-Wilson Firm is here to help. Contact our offices today for more information and to schedule your initial consultation with our team. You can trust us to work in securing your needs and the best interests of your child.