Child Support

In Texas, child support is mandated until the child turns eighteen years of age (unless he/she marries, joins the military, or otherwise becomes emancipated). If the child turns eighteen during high school, child support continues until graduation. In some instances, as when a child is disabled, support may continue indefinitely. Texas does not make provision for college costs, and this is usually worked out between parents.I practice collaborative law which can be of real benefit to parties in custody and support actions. It provides for a friendlier atmosphere, dials down the rancor, and can produce a better result than litigation. Call us to learn more about the child support process.Request a free phone consultation Monthly Child Support Calculator – Get Estimate Now Child Support Law Texas child support cases can sometimes be a “sticky” matter. The person receiving child support often believes that the amount of child support awarded is not sufficient to raise the child or children. And, the person who is obligated to pay the child support often complains that it doesn’t cost as much to raise a child or children as the amount that is set as child support. This discrepancy appears to be caused by the different prisms through which the “cost of the child” is viewed. Suffice it to say that Moms and Dads tend to view this issue quite differently.

As in determining the child’s best interest, the Supreme Court of Texas has provided a “non-exhaustive” list of “factors” for the courts to consider. These factors include:

1. The desires of the child
2. The emotional and physical needs of the child now and in the future
3. The emotional and physical danger to the child now and in the future
4. The parental abilities of the individuals seeking custody
5.the programs available to assist these individuals to promote the best interest of the child
6. The plans for the child by these individuals or by the agency seeking custody
7. The stability of the home or proposed placement
8. The acts or omissions of the parent that may indicate that the existing parent-child relationship is not a proper one
9. Any excuse for the acts or omissions of the parent