Round Rock Child Support Lawyer
Practice Areas
As an experienced family law attorney, Katy M. Lovett handles child support cases with a focus on achieving fair outcomes that best serve your family’s needs. Whether you need help establishing child support guidelines, getting a legal child support order, modifying child custody due to changes in circumstances, or enforcing child support orders, the Round Rock child support lawyer group at our law office is here to provide experienced legal representation.
Our experienced child support lawyers in Round Rock, TX, have a deep understanding of family law and are adept at establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support obligations. Families trust our Williamson County family law attorney team to handle their child support cases with the utmost professionalism and care, prioritizing each child’s best interest.
Call 512-956-5356 today to schedule a consultation with experienced Round Rock child support attorney Katy M. Lovett.
Texas Child Support Guidelines
In Texas, child support payments are financial responsibilities made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent with whom the child resides. Courts establish child support guidelines to ensure children receive appropriate financial support to ensure fairness between each custodial and noncustodial parent.
Using child support guidelines, Texas courts use a percentage model based on the non-custodial parent’s gross income with some statutory deductions for taxes and medical support and the number of children supported. The end goal of child support obligations is to ensure the child’s fundamental needs are met regardless of when circumstances change due to divorce, separation, or relocation.
Our Round Rock child support lawyers play a vital role by helping clients understand and fulfill their financial obligations. Whether you’re struggling with child support issues related to the noncustodial parent refusing to pay child support, the other parent wishing to modify visitation schedules to get out of child support payments, or personalized help regarding financial support for children with special needs, a Round Rock child support lawyer from our firm has extensive experience helping parents navigate their child support cases.
What Does Child Support Cover in Texas?
In Texas, child support obligations encompass various financial responsibilities to meet the child’s well-being and basic needs. The primary function of child support payments is to cover the child’s expenses, such as food, clothing, education, extracurricular activities, and housing.
If the paying parent doesn’t carry the child on their health insurance plan, child support obligations also help cover the costs of medical and dental care. For children with special needs, child support payments might also extend to tutoring or therapy.
Our knowledgeable child support attorneys can help to ensure all financial obligations are met, and final child support orders reflect the child’s best interest. If you have questions regarding child support obligations, an experienced Round Rock family law attorney is ready to help.
How to Calculate Child Support Payments in Texas
Texas usually uses a straightforward process for calculating guideline child support payments, with the goal being to achieve fairness and adequacy in child support amounts. The formula considers the gross income of the noncustodial parent and the number of children requiring the parent’s financial obligations.
In Texas, the vast majority of child support payments are calculated using the following percentages of the paying parent’s gross income less statutory deductions for taxes and medical support.
- One child: 20%
- Two children: 25%
- Three children: 30%
- Four children: 35%
- Five or more children: 40%
In addition to the net income of the noncustodial parent, Texas courts also consider any relevant statutory deductions such as taxes, social security, and whether or not the paying parent has the children on their health insurance plan.
It’s important to accurately report income and financial obligations to ensure that the child support amounts are fair.
For parents needing help calculating child support payments in Texas, an experienced Round Rock child support lawyer can explain deductions for health insurance and other specific circumstances in such legal matters.
Child Support Modification in Round Rock
If circumstances change significantly after a child support order is established, one parent may request a court order modification. A change in circumstances could include a change in a parent’s income, job loss, medical issues, relocation, or major changes in the child’s expenses.
Our child support attorneys will help you file a petition with the court that originally issued the child support order, providing experienced legal representation to help demonstrate how the change of circumstances is material and ongoing.
Working with an experienced Round Rock court order modifications attorney can ensure the new child support orders accurately reflect the current visitation schedules and financial situation for each co parent.
Child Support Enforcement in Round Rock
Failure to meet court-ordered child support obligations can lead to serious legal matters. In most child support cases, a failure to make timely child support payments creates a financial strain on the custodial parent.
Texas law provides several actions to enforce child support orders.
Family law courts may order wage garnishment to enforce child support orders and ensure parents are paid in a timely manner. Here, child support payments are deducted directly from the parent’s paycheck. Additionally, family law judges may issue contempt of court charges, which can result in fines, jail time, and/or liens against property or other assets in a further attempt to enforce child support orders.
For a parent worried about enforcing child support orders, working with a skilled child support lawyer is critical. An experienced Round Rock child support enforcement attorney can ensure that all child support enforcement measures are correctly applied and that both parents are fairly financially responsible. Contact our Round Rock child support lawyers to learn more about enforcing child support orders.
Texas Child Support FAQ
When Does Child Support End in Texas?
In Texas, child support obligations typically end when the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. However, for special needs children or children requiring ongoing care, child support obligations may be extended beyond the usual age limits.
What Happens if You Don't Pay Child Support in Texas?
If you don’t pay child support in Texas, family law courts may enforce penalties such as wage garnishment, withholding federal tax refunds, denying passport renewals, and revoking or suspending driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses. Additionally, judges may issue contempt of court charges for parents who don’t pay.
How to Report Non-Payment of Child Support in Texas?
Parents can contact the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division to report non-payment of child support. The division enforces child support orders by locating the non-paying parent, garnishing wages, and taking other legal actions to collect overdue payments.
Experienced Round Rock Child Support Attorney
Our Round Rock child support lawyer group has extensive experience helping parents with child support issues, using adept legal representation to ensure a fair outcome for her clients. Our skilled Round Rock child custody lawyers and child support lawyers are committed to helping parents understand their parental rights and achieve the best possible outcome for each case.
Call 512-956-5356 to schedule a consultation with a compassionate Round Rock child support attorney today and take the first step towards resolving your child support issues.
At the Law Office of Katy M. Lovett, PLLC, you are not just a case number. Our family law attorney takes the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and develop a strategic approach that aligns with your needs under Texas law.
