Child Support Attorney in Austin

Legal Solutions for Your Unique Situation

Like many states, Texas has specific laws and guidelines governing child support awards. Led by an accomplished child support attorney, our firm understands that these laws can be confusing and that every situation is unique. We work closely with clients to secure child support awards that are fair and that meet the needs of the child.

How Does Texas Determine Child Support?

When calculating child support payments, Texas considers all income from:

• Employment
• Severance pay
• Unemployment benefits
• Retirement
• Social security
• Workers’ compensation awards

The court may also assign income value to assets or impute income to a parent who is purposely unemployed or underemployed to determine the amount of the child support award. Support paid for other children, taxes, and the cost of covering the child’s health insurance are then deducted to determine the parent’s net income. Child support awards are a percentage of the net income, based on the number of children.

Can I Challenge Child Support Guidelines?

The child support guidelines in Texas are based on average family situations. However, the amount set by the guidelines is not appropriate in every situation. There are a variety of circumstances that may require requesting the court to either increase or decrease a child support award. At the Law Firm of T. Wade Jefferies, our child support lawyers in Austin can help you request this type of modification.

When adjusting support payments, the court may consider:

• The child’s age and needs
• Each parent’s ability to support the child
• Time spent with each parent
• Child care expenses
• Alimony payments
• Cash flow from assets, property, or other financial resources
• Extraordinary expenses for medical care or education
• Post-secondary education expenses

If one parent thinks the amount of child support awarded should be increased or decreased, he or she may ask the court for an adjustment. The court will review the case and consider all relevant factors. We can help you gather the information needed to bolster your case and show why the change is needed.