Child Support Services in Plano

Legal Assistance for Child Support Orders in Plano, TX

Navigating the complexities of child support is a crucial aspect of family law. At the Law Office of Brian Bagley, we recognize the significance of providing effective legal assistance in matters concerning child support. Our dedicated team of legal professionals is committed to guiding you through the intricacies of child support laws in Texas, ensuring that your rights and the well-being of your children are protected. 

Call the Law Office of Brian Bagley today at (972) 843-7158 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our child support attorney in Plano!

Understanding When Child Support is Ordered in Texas

Child support is a common element in many Texas divorce cases, particularly when the spouses share a child who is under the age of 18. Because the parents will no longer live in the same household and share financial resources, one parent will typically be ordered to make regular child support payments to the other. Child support may also be ordered for children above the age of 18 who have not yet graduated from high school or who have disabilities that prevent them from providing for themselves.

Child support is also ordered when a child is born to parents who are not married. To secure child support in this case, the child's legal paternity must be established first. Usually, this means that both parents will need to sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or one of the parents will need to petition for adjudication of paternity in court, which often involves DNA testing to confirm that a man is the child's biological father.

Key Components of a Texas Child Support Order

In either of the above cases, the noncustodial parent, meaning the parent with the smaller percentage of physical custody (also known as possessory conservatorship), will have the obligation to pay. Typically, the paying parent will have a portion of their income periodically withheld and transferred to the Child Support Division within the Texas Office of the Attorney General, who will disburse the payments to the receiving parent. However, figuring out the appropriate amount to withhold can be quite complicated. 

How Child Support is Calculated in Texas

In Texas, child support calculations are primarily determined by statutory guidelines outlined in the Texas Family Code. The court considers various factors, including the noncustodial parent's income, the number of children involved, and specific medical and daycare expenses. The goal is to establish a fair and reasonable amount that meets the child's needs without causing undue financial strain on either parent.

The paying parent's monthly net resources is the most important factor in calculating child support. This parent must provide the court with information about various income sources, including wages, business or self-employment income, rental income, interest, capital gains, and certain types of benefits. The court will then subtract the parent's tax obligations and other qualifying expenses from their gross income to determine their available resources for child support.

Texas caps a parent's monthly net resources for child support at $9,200 as of 2019, with this figure being reviewed and updated every six years. The standard guidelines require a parent to pay 20 percent of their net resources to support one child or up to 40 percent for five children or more. However, the court can adjust these guidelines based on a child's extraordinary needs, custody arrangements, child care and travel costs, and the parents' resources.

Understanding the intricacies of child support calculations can be challenging, and that's where the Law Office of Brian Bagley becomes invaluable. Our skilled legal professionals possess a deep understanding of Texas family law and are dedicated to ensuring that the child support arrangements are just and in compliance with the state's guidelines.