Child Support in Texas
Every child deserves financial support from both parents. Whether you are seeking to establish a child support order, enforce one that is being ignored, or modify an existing arrangement due to changed circumstances, the Law Office of Ryan Putz can help you navigate the process clearly and effectively.
How Texas Calculates Child Support
Texas uses a percentage-of-income model based on the paying parent's net monthly resources. The standard guidelines are:
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1 child — 20% of net monthly resources
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2 children — 25%
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3 children — 30%
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4 children — 35%
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5 or more children — 40%
Courts may deviate from these guidelines when special circumstances exist, such as a child's extraordinary medical needs, educational expenses, or when one parent earns a very high income.
What Counts as Net Resources?
Net resources include wages, salary, self-employment income, rental income, retirement benefits, and other regular income sources, minus certain allowable deductions including federal income tax, Social Security, union dues, and the cost of health insurance for the child.
Medical Support
In addition to monthly cash support, Texas courts typically require one parent to provide health insurance coverage for the child. If employer-sponsored insurance is not available at a reasonable cost, the court may order cash medical support instead.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
If the other parent is not paying court-ordered support, Texas provides powerful enforcement tools. Attorney Ryan Putz can help you pursue contempt proceedings, wage withholding orders, license suspensions, and other remedies to secure the support your child is entitled to.
Modifying Child Support
A child support order can be modified if it has been three years since the order was established or last modified and the new amount would differ by at least 20% or $100 per month, or if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances such as job loss, a significant income change, or changes in the child's needs.
Ready to Speak with a Texas Child Support Attorney?
If you are facing a child support matter in Texas, the Law Office of Ryan Putz is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward protecting your family and your future.