Most people do not realize that parents can agree to an amount of child support to be paid, and the court will usually approve that amount. Where no agreement is reached, the courts step in to determine the proper amount of child support to be paid. The Fort Worth child support attorneys at Pat White will explain what goes into the courts' decisions on these matters.
Courts are required to consider the following factors in determining how much child support is appropriate:
If you are located in the greater Tarrant County including Fort Worth, Benbrook, Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain, Saginaw, Blue Mound, Weatherford, Azle, Granbury, Aledo, and Surrounding Areas and need help understanding your child support guidelines or any court orders for child support, the attorneys at Pat White are ready to serve. Contact one of our family lawyers in Fort Worth and schedule a free consultation to discuss your child support questions.
Texas law provides somewhat complicated guidelines for determining the amount of child support to be paid.
The guidelines are based on a percentage of the parent’s “net resources.” “Net resources” include all of the parent’s income, with certain deductions for things like FICA and union dues. “Net resources” are capped at $7500/month. Even if the parent makes more than that amount, they will usually not be required to pay more child support.
The percentage of net resources that a parent pays is based on the number of children involved. For example, the parent will be ordered to pay 20% of their net resources if they have one child. They will be ordered to pay 40% of their net resources if they have five children.
It is presumed that these guidelines are in the best interest of the child. If the court deviates from these guidelines, they must provide reasons why.
The court may order a parent to pay more if the child has special needs. Special needs might relate to:
Every child is different, and the amount of support a court orders depends on a variety of factors and circumstances. Where the court deviates from the guidelines, they must provide justification for the deviation.
You should speak with an experienced Texas child support attorney to determine what amount of child support would likely be ordered in your case, or to find out whether the amount of support ordered in your case is appropriate for your circumstances.
Understanding the complex requirements set forth by state child support guidelines can be a bit tricky, but you don't have to figure them out yourself. The attorneys at Pat White are experienced in matters concerning family law and child support, and we are more than happy to help you through the process. If you have a question about child support in the greater Fort Worth area, contact our attorneys to set up a free consultation for your case. Or Call
