Child Support Attorneys Serving Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties
Child support disputes come in many forms. You may be trying to establish an order for the first time, enforce one that is not being followed, or modify an existing order that no longer reflects your circumstances. Wherever you are in that process, getting the right legal guidance early makes a real difference.
At Hanshaw Kennedy Hafen, we represent both parents seeking support and those responding to a claim. Whether you need an experienced child support lawyer Collin County TX professional or a trusted child support attorney McKinney TX advocate, we work to get an order that is fair, accurate, and built around the actual needs of your child. We serve clients across Collin, Dallas, and Denton counties from our office in Frisco.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas
Texas uses a percentage-of-income formula to calculate child support. The amount is based primarily on the paying parent’s net monthly income and the number of children being supported. General guidelines are:
- 1 child: 20% of net monthly income.
- 2 children: 25% of net monthly income.
- 3 children: 30% of net monthly income.
- 4 children: 35% of net monthly income.
- 5 or more children: 40% of net monthly income
Net income includes wages, salary, self-employment income, rental income, commissions, and other sources. The court may deviate from these guidelines when the circumstances warrant it, including cases where a parent has children from another relationship or where the child has special needs.
For business owners and self-employed parents, calculating net income accurately is more complex. Our Texas child support guidelines attorney team works through those details carefully to make sure the support order reflects actual income, not an inflated or deflated number.
Establishing a Child Support Order
If no child support order exists yet, one can be established through a divorce proceeding, a paternity case, or a separate suit affecting the parent-child relationship. The order will address the amount of support, how it is paid, and who is responsible for health insurance coverage for the child.
Having an attorney involved from the start ensures the order is structured correctly and accounts for the details that matter long term.
Child Support Enforcement
When a parent stops paying court-ordered child support, there are legal remedies available. Texas courts can enforce child support orders through wage withholding, suspension of a driver’s license or professional license, seizure of tax refunds, and in serious cases, contempt of court resulting in fines or jail time.
If you are owed back child support or the other parent is not following the order, a skilled child support enforcement attorney North Dallas area families trust can take action on your behalf. Do not wait. Unpaid support accumulates and the longer it goes unaddressed, the more complicated enforcement becomes.Modifying an Existing Child Support Order
Child support orders can be modified when there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered. Consulting a qualified child support modification attorney Frisco legal specialist is essential when handling these updates. Common reasons include:
- A significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income.
- A change in the child’s medical needs or living situation.
- A change in the possession schedule.
- The child becoming eligible for support through a new proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas calculates child support based on the paying parent’s net monthly income after taxes and certain deductions. The percentage applied depends on the number of children covered by the order. The court can adjust the amount based on factors like the child’s specific needs, the possession schedule, or income from multiple households.
Parents cannot permanently waive child support in Texas because it belongs to the child, not the parent. However, the amount can be negotiated as part of a settlement agreement, and courts can approve amounts that differ from the guidelines if both parties agree and the deviation is in the child’s best interests.
Missing payments does not automatically suspend the obligation. The paying parent must seek a modification through the court. Until a new order is entered, the original amount continues to accrue. If you have had a significant change in income, contact an attorney as soon as possible to pursue a modification before arrears build up.
Basic child support covers everyday living expenses. Medical support is handled separately through the child support order and typically requires one parent to maintain health insurance coverage for the child. Uninsured medical expenses are usually divided between the parents as a percentage set in the order.
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