If you are dealing with one or several child support issues, it’s likely all you can think about. After all, all you want is what’s best for your children after the divorce, and maintaining a strict payment schedule to cover their basic needs is a big piece of that. But maybe your former spouse isn’t making payments on time or at all. Perhaps you are the paying parent, and the reason for being behind is because of a recent job loss. This is where turning to an experienced family lawyer to help with your child support issues can help.
In today’s blog post, let’s explore a few ways a family lawyer can help you right now.
First Things First … What Is Child Support?
Child support involves regular payments made by one parent to the other parent for the child’s benefit. Typically, these payments are made to the parent who designates the child’s primary residence. These payments are court-ordered and designed to provide for the basic essentials for the minor child, such as clothing, food, shelter, education, etc.
Physical custody generally determines who pays child support, and payments are calculated based on a percentage of the paying parent’s income. To determine this, the Court calculates the monthly net income of the paying parent and multiplies it by a percentage based on how many children need support.
Several factors can impact the calculation, such as income level, children of a prior relationship, or the special needs of the children.
However, if your net monthly income is $9,200 or less, the typical breakdown is as follows:
- 1 child – 20% of the monthly net income
- 2 children – 25% of the monthly net income
- 3 children – 30% of the monthly net income
- 4 children – 35% of the monthly net income
- 5 children – 40% of the monthly net income
How Can a Family Lawyer Help?
Perhaps one of the more common child support issues families face is payment consistency. Either the parents can’t agree on a monthly payment, the paying parent is purposely not paying or paying very little, or something has happened in the paying parent’s life that is preventing them from being consistent (job loss, illness, job change, etc.).
A family lawyer with experience dealing with child support issues can represent you in Court and ensure an equitable outcome.
- They can help with negotiations — While Texas already has child support calculations in place, divorcing spouses often must go to Court to determine who pays child support. A lawyer can help facilitate healthy conversations that protect the child’s best interests.
- They can help establish new terms — Life happens, and circumstances may change enough that the child support agreement you originally signed isn’t feasible (typically because of the examples above). A family lawyer can help paying parents address past-due amounts legally with the Court so that a judge can establish a new payment plan that meets their unique financial needs.
- They can address consistent payments — You can hire a family lawyer if you believe your child isn’t receiving consistent payments because of your former spouse’s negligence. In these situations, they can represent you in Court as you pursue what is owed to you.
Christman | Daniell, has a unique and refreshing approach to the often turbulent and emotionally stressful disputes. Including those arising in divorce, child custody, and other family law cases. Our firm anchors its representation and legal advice in principles and philosophies that focus on the long-term best interests of children and families. We are committed to supporting and guiding you through the dark days of marital discord and crisis.
Please call Christman | Daniell for your legal needs today!
Looking for family law services in Collin County, Texas? Christman | Daniell is your premier choice. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the legal landscape, our skilled team is dedicated to helping families navigate complex legal matters. Whether it’s divorce, child custody, or adoption, trust Christman | Daniell to provide compassionate and effective representation for all your family law needs throughout Collin County.