Texas Child Support Laws
By Eric L. Fredrickson
Oct. 15, 2010 9:01a
Texas child support laws are ruthless and they leave very little wiggle room for the non-custodial parent. If the non-custodial parent fails to pay the court ordered child support, there are penalties to be enforced to the full extent of Texas law. All non-custodial parents who fail to pay child support are in contempt of court and face up to six months in prison. Additional penalties they face are driver's, hunting or fishing license suspensions. Federal income tax refund checks will be used to pay child support as well as any lottery winnings they may happen to receive.
Support Calculations
The amount the non-custodial parent will be obligated to pay in child support is calculated on a percentage of net income to child basis. For instance: one child = 20% of net income, two children = 25% of net income, three children = 30%, four children = 35%, five children= 40% and so on.
Wage Garnishments
The state of Texas requires that all child support payments are made through wage garnishments from the non-custodial parents pay check. This law sets Texas apart from most American states and ensures that child support payments are made.
Medical Insurance
Texas child support law makes the non-custodial parent responsible to provide the child/children's medical insurance. They must purchase medical insurance through their employer if it is available, if it is not, but it is available through the custodial parents employer, the non-custodial parent is still responsible for paying for the medical insurance through the custodial parent's employment. If neither parent's employers offer medical insurance, it is the non-custodial parent's responsibility to pay medical expenses for the children.
Child Support Visitations
The non-custodial parent is allowed to visit their child/children according to the visitation agreement. If the parties cannot come to an agreement then the courts will determine that the standard schedule be met. This allows for the non-custodial parent to visit four to six weeks in the summer, every other weekend and alternating holidays.
Need Help?
Do you need help with your child support case? This could be your first time paying child support or there could have been a change in your circumstances and you don't know the best way to go about a support modification. A Houston child support attorney at the Law Offices of Eric Fredrickson can help steer you through the child support or modification process in order to give you certainty of your child support obligations.
Contact a Houston Child Support Lawyer at our firm right away for a free consultation.
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