Killeen Child Support Modification Attorney
Experienced Modification Lawyer Serving Bell County, TX
Whether you are paying child support, or on the receiving end, it is important that your child support payments reflect your child's needs and your financial circumstances. If there has been a significant change in circumstances since your last child support order was entered, then you can seek guidance from the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard.
Over the past 20 years, our Killeen divorce lawyer has helped thousands of Texans resolve their family law issues and we can help you too.
We make every effort to be helpful by:
- Offering free initial consultations
- Easily accessible by phone
- Providing emergency appointments
- Giving you honest and forthright advice
- Discounts offered for members of the military
To speak with an experienced Killeen child support modification attorney, give us a call at (254) 220-4225 or contact us online today.
Grateful my case is being handled by the best lawyers in Killeen.Danishka M.
Understanding Child Support Modifications
What many divorcing couples don't realize initially is that their child support order is not set in stone. As the years pass, circumstances change and this cannot be avoided. Jobs come and go, and children's needs change too.
Can child support be changed? Yes, absolutely; however, the person seeking the modification will need to prove to the court that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred; for example, the paying parent lost their job or fallen ill.
Either party can file a petition to have child support increased or decreased. Additionally, child support can be modified if it has been at least three years since the last child support order and the new amount calculated under the child support guidelines differs by $100.00 or by 20% from the current child support amount.
Child Support Modification Process in Texas
In Texas, the child support modification process allows either parent to request changes to the existing child support order if circumstances have significantly changed. Here’s how the process works:
- Eligibility for Modification: A modification can be requested if circumstances have changed substantially, such as income, employment status, or child needs. Additionally, if it has been at least three years since the last order and the difference between the current order and the new guideline amount is 20% or $100, a modification may be requested.
- Filing a Request: The parent seeking the modification must file a petition with the court that issued the original child support order. Detailed information about the change of circumstances and the reasons for the modification should be included in the petition.
- Court Review: Hearings will be scheduled by the court following the filing of the petition. It is essential for both parents to attend the hearing so that evidence can be presented in support of or in opposition to the modification. The court will consider the child’s best interests when making a decision.
- Outcome: If the court determines that a modification is warranted, it will issue a new child support order reflecting the updated amount. The modification takes effect from the date the petition was filed, not retroactively.
- Enforcement: Once the new order is in place, both parents must comply. Failure to do so can result in legal penalties, including wage garnishment or contempt of court.
The child support modification process in Texas ensures that child support orders remain fair and reflect the current circumstances of both parents and the child.
To speak with an experienced Killeen child support modification attorney, give us a call at (254) 220-4225 or contact us online today.
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- Thousands of Clients Helped
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Contact a Killeen Child Support Attorney Today
If you are the paying parent, it is important to remember that just because you lose your job or take a cut in pay, it does not mean that you can automatically adjust your child support payments, you will need to go to court to accomplish this. Since the court process can take some time, it's better to get started sooner than later.
At the Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard, we understand how important it is that your child support payments accurately reflect your situation and your child's needs.
Contact our office today at (254) 220-4225 to learn more about our services and how we can be of service to you.
