Dealing with child support in Texas can be overwhelming, especially when your family’s financial stability is at stake. Whether you’re seeking support, obligated to pay it, or hoping to change an existing order, it’s essential to understand how child support works in Kaufman County.
How Is Child Support Determined in Texas?
In Texas, child support is generally calculated based on the noncustodial parent’s net monthly income and the number of children requiring support. The Texas Family Code outlines standard percentages:
- 1 child: 20% of net income
- 2 children: 25%
- 3 children: 30%
- 4 children: 35%
- 5 or more: 40%
These guidelines apply unless a judge finds good reason to deviate, such as a child’s special needs or a parent’s extraordinary income or expenses.
Net income includes wages, commissions, bonuses, and certain benefits, but excludes federal taxes, Social Security, and health insurance for the child. If a parent is intentionally underemployed or unemployed, the court may impute income based on earning potential.
Who Handles Child Support Cases in Kaufman County?
Child support cases in Kaufman County are generally heard in the Kaufman County District Courts or Associate Courts. If your case involves the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which many child support cases do, you may attend hearings with an OAG child support associate judge.
Whether you’re going through a divorce or seeking child support as a single parent, these cases can involve formal hearings, discovery of financial information, and court-ordered payments. As a result, it may be a good idea to consult with a family law attorney to make sure your rights and obligations are fully protected.
Establishing Child Support
You can establish child support in several ways:
- As part of a divorce decree
- Through a suit affecting the parent-child relationship (SAPCR)
- Via an administrative order through the OAG
Once child support is ordered, it becomes a legally binding obligation. Failure to pay can result in serious consequences, including wage garnishment, license suspension, and even jail time.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
If a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, the other parent can file an enforcement action to ensure payment is made. The court may:
- Order wage garnishment
- Seize tax refunds
- Hold the non-paying parent in contempt of court
Judges in Kaufman County do not take non-payment lightly. If you’re behind on support, it’s better to address the issue promptly, ideally with the assistance of legal counsel, rather than wait for enforcement action.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Life changes, and sometimes child support orders need to be updated. You can request a modification if:
- It’s been at least three years since the last order, and
- The amount would change by at least 20% or $100 under the current guidelines
- Or, there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances (such as a job loss or a change in custody)
Modifications must be approved by the court, even if both parents agree informally.
Why Local Experience Matters
Each Texas county has its own unique approach to handling family law cases. At Guest & Gray, we bring deep experience in Kaufman County courts and understand how local judges tend to approach child support, enforcement, and modification matters. We know the people, the procedures, and how to advocate effectively for our clients, whether in negotiations or in the courtroom.
Talk to a Kaufman County Child Support Attorney Today
Don’t try to navigate child support issues alone. Whether you’re establishing support for the first time, seeking enforcement, or requesting a modification, our family law team at Guest & Gray is here to help.
Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s work together to protect your rights and your child’s future.
