Prosper, TX Child Support Attorney

Lawyer for Child Support Obligations in Prosper, TX Divorce and Family Law Cases

Financial matters are some of the primary concerns that you will need to address during your divorce, and if you are a parent, you will want to make sure your children's needs will be met. Depending on the decisions that are made about child custody, you may either pay or receive child support. A skilled family law attorney can help you ensure that your children will have the financial resources they need while also making sure you will be able to cover your own expenses and maintain financial security in the years to come.

Pfister Family Law provides dedicated legal help to clients in divorce and paternity cases. With multiple decades of legal experience, our attorneys have the knowledge and understanding to ensure that the law is applied correctly in your case. We will put our experience as negotiators and litigators to work for you, helping you protect your children's best interests while advocating for your rights at all times.

Texas Child Support Guidelines

The Texas Family Code provides a standard method for calculating child support payments. Under this method, child support is determined using a percentage of the obligor's net resources. The obligor is the parent who will be paying child support, and this is typically the "non-custodial" parent who will have a minority of the time with the children. Net resources are determined by taking all forms of income earned by the obligor and deducting federal and state income taxes, Social Security taxes, and union dues, as well as health insurance, dental insurance, and other medical costs for children. The percentages for calculating child support are based on the number of children, as follows:

• One child: 20% of the obligor's monthly net resources
• Two children: 25% of the obligor's monthly net resources
• Three children: 30% of the obligor's monthly net resources
• Four children: 35% of the obligor's monthly net resources
• Five children: 40% of the obligor's monthly net resources
• Six or more children: at least 40 % of the obligor's monthly net resources

The amount of child support calculated using these guidelines is presumed to be reasonable and in the best interests of the child. However, parents may agree on an amount of child support that is different from what would be calculated using the guidelines. If the judge in their case determines that this amount is in the child's best interests, a child support order will be issued in this amount. If the judge believes that this amount would not be in the child's best interests, they may order child support to be paid according to the guidelines, or they may ask the parents to revise their agreement.

While the child support guidelines may be appropriate in many cases, there are some situations where applying these guidelines would result in an "unjust or inappropriate" outcome. For example, parents may share near-equal amounts of parenting time, but the obligor parent may earn a lower income, and paying a significant percentage of their income would create an unfair burden for them. If necessary, we can help you advocate for a variance from the child support guidelines based on your circumstances. We can also help you determine whether child support should be adjusted to address additional child-related expenses, such as medical care, educational costs, child care needed while a parent is at work, and children's college expenses.

Contact a Prosper, TX Child Support Attorney

Even though child support calculations may seem to be fairly straightforward, there are many different factors that can affect the amount a parent may be required to pay. At Pfister Family Law, we can help you determine how to address these matters in a way that will provide for your children's needs while also allowing you to support yourself. Our attorneys will work to help you negotiate an agreement that will meet your needs, and we will advise you on when it may be necessary to pursue litigation and fight for your rights and your children's best interests in the courtroom.

To schedule a confidential consultation, contact us at 972-954-6455. From our office in Frisco, we serve clients in Collin County, Denton County, Tarrant County, and throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We also provide representation in family law cases throughout the state of Texas, and we can travel to meet with you or connect with you remotely through email, phone, or videoconferencing.