Temple Child Support Lawyers

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Child support is intended to provide the financial security that can preserve a child's standard of living and help them to grow and thrive in the future. At the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard, our child support lawyer has decades of experience. With extensive knowledge in family law, we can help you with a variety of child support needs, including post-divorce adjustment or enforcement of your existing arrangement.

How is child Support determined during a divorce?

When devising a child support arrangement during divorce proceedings, courts use a mathematical formula based on Texas state law guidelines. Based on the number of children, the formula applies a percentage of your monthly earnings to figure out what you will pay in child support. Currently, there is a cap of $8,550.

Child support will last until the child turns 18, except in circumstances where the child is determined to have significant disability.

Although there is a set mathematical formula used for figuring out support payments, the amount paid may be increased or decreased based on the children's needs. In many circumstances, the support allocated during your divorce may not be adequate. If you need to increase or decrease payments, our qualified child support lawyer may be able to help you make a compelling case for a modification.

Child support obligations ensure children receive the financial resources necessary for proper care, education, and development, regardless of parental relationship status. Temple child support lawyers at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard assist parents in establishing, modifying, and enforcing support orders throughout Bell County while navigating complex income calculations and legal requirements under Texas Family Code provisions.

Texas Child Support Guidelines

Texas utilizes specific percentage guidelines based on obligor income and the number of children requiring support. One child receives seventeen and one-half percent of net monthly resources, while five or more children receive forty percent. These calculations include salary, wages, overtime, commissions, bonuses, and other income sources, excluding certain governmental benefits.

Net resources calculations involve deductions for federal income taxes, Social Security taxes, union dues, and health insurance premiums. However, voluntary retirement contributions and excessive life insurance premiums may not reduce support obligations. Our Temple child support practice ensures accurate income determinations while challenging inappropriate deduction claims.

Complex Income Analysis

Self-employed parents and business owners present unique challenges for support calculations involving fluctuating revenues, business expenses, and asset ownership. Historical earning patterns, tax returns, profit and loss statements, and bank records provide insight into true income availability. We collaborate with forensic accountants when necessary to establish appropriate support levels.

Professional bonuses, stock options, and incentive compensation require careful evaluation to determine regular income versus sporadic windfalls. Courts may average variable income over multiple years or establish separate review procedures for bonus payments exceeding certain thresholds.

Medical Support Requirements

Texas law mandates medical support provisions in addition to basic child support obligations. Parents must maintain health insurance coverage when available at a reasonable cost through employment or other sources. Uninsured medical expenses are typically divided proportionally based on parents' respective incomes.

Extraordinary medical expenses including orthodontics, counseling, or specialized treatments may require separate consideration beyond routine healthcare costs. We negotiate comprehensive medical support agreements addressing current needs while anticipating future medical requirements.

High-Income Deviation Cases

Parents earning substantial incomes exceeding guideline calculations may warrant deviation from standard percentages. Courts consider children's proven needs, educational requirements, and lifestyle factors when determining appropriate support above statutory minimums. Luxury items, private schooling, and extracurricular activities receive evaluation in high-asset cases.

Lifestyle analysis and expense documentation become crucial elements in cases involving significant parental wealth. We present detailed evidence regarding children's established living standards while advocating for reasonable support levels meeting actual needs rather than theoretical maximums.

Support Modification Procedures

Material and substantial changes in circumstances justify support modification requests when existing orders no longer reflect current financial realities. Income increases, job losses, additional children, or custody arrangement changes may warrant adjustment proceedings. Three-year review provisions allow automatic reconsideration regardless of changed circumstances.

Involuntary unemployment typically reduces support obligations temporarily, while voluntary career changes receive stricter scrutiny regarding earning capacity and support reduction requests. We evaluate modification prospects carefully before initiating potentially costly legal proceedings.

Enforcement Mechanisms

Delinquent support payments trigger various collection remedies, including wage withholding, asset seizure, and credit reporting. The Texas Attorney General's office provides enforcement services for IV-D cases, while private collection efforts may be necessary for non-IV-D situations. Contempt proceedings may result in jail sentences for willful non-payment.

License suspension procedures affect professional, occupational, and driver's licenses for delinquent obligors. Passport denial and tax refund interception provide additional collection tools for securing overdue support payments.

Interstate Support Issues

The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act governs support enforcement across state boundaries through coordinated legal procedures. Establishing jurisdiction, serving process, and collecting payments from out-of-state obligors requires knowledge of interstate support mechanisms. We coordinate with other jurisdictions to ensure effective enforcement.

Arrearages and Interest

Unpaid support accumulates as judgment debt bearing ten percent annual interest from delinquency dates. Arrearage amounts rarely qualify for reduction regardless of obligor financial hardship, making timely payment crucial for avoiding substantial debt accumulation over extended periods.

Whether establishing new support orders or addressing existing obligations, experienced legal representation protects your interests and ensures children receive proper financial support. Contact The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard at 254-781-4222 or online to discuss your child support matter with our Temple legal team.

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Your children deserve financial security. To get in touch with our qualified child support attorney who has handled thousands of cases, request a no-cost case evaluation.