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Southlake Child Support Attorney
100+ years of combined experience including four Board Certified attorneys.
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Child support in Texas plays a crucial role in ensuring children’s financial stability after parents separate or divorce. Most commonly, child support is a monthly payment from the non-custodial parent (the parent without primary custody) to the custodial parent. The amount is typically calculated based on the guidelines in the Texas Family Code, but those “cookie-cutter” calculations don’t always fit every family’s needs.
At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, our Southlake child support lawyers have decades of experience representing parents in all types of child support arrangements—whether you are seeking to establish, enforce, or modify an order.
At a Glance
At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, we represent parents in Southlake and across Tarrant County in child support matters backed by decades of experience handling both straightforward and complex financial cases.
We assist with establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders, including cases involving high-income earners, self-employment, and deviations from Texas guideline calculations. Our approach focuses on developing accurate, well-supported financial analyses that reflect your child’s needs and your unique circumstances.
Known for our preparation and practical, results-driven strategies, we work to secure fair, sustainable support arrangements that protect both your financial position and your child’s well-being. Free consultations available. Call 817-900-8330.
How Long Does Child Support Last in Texas?
In most cases, child support payments continue until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school—whichever comes later. However, some situations can extend or shorten this period, including:
- Special needs: Payments may be indefinite if a child requires long-term care.
- Emancipation or marriage: May end support early.
- Agreements between parents: Certain arrangements can adjust the payment duration.
Courts also address related financial responsibilities, such as:
- Who will provide health and dental insurance for the child.
- How unreimbursed medical or dental expenses will be divided (often equally).
- Reimbursement for insurance premiums.
Most payments go through the Texas State Disbursement Unit and are often garnished directly from the paying parent’s wages to ensure timely delivery.
Understanding Texas Child Support Guidelines
The court typically calculates child support by determining the paying parent’s net monthly income (net resources) and applying a percentage based on the number of children:
- 1 child = 20%
- 2 children = 25%
- 3 children = 30%
- 4 children = 35%
- 5 children = 40%
- 6 or more children = not less than 40%
If the parent supports other children not before the court, these percentages may be reduced.
For parents earning more than $11,700 per month in net resources, the guidelines place a cap, meaning child support is calculated on $11,700 regardless of higher earnings—unless the court finds a reason to deviate.
When Courts Deviate from Child Support Guidelines
While there’s a presumption in favor of the standard formula, Texas judges can adjust amounts upward or downward. Factors include:
- Child’s age, needs, or special needs.
- Parent’s financial resources and ability to pay.
- Amount of time each parent spends with the child.
- Childcare and educational expenses.
- Unemployment or underemployment.
- Travel expenses for visitation.
- Extraordinary healthcare costs.
- Lifestyle of the child in high-net-worth families.
These deviations ensure that child support orders truly meet the child’s best interests.
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How to Calculate Net Resources for Child Support Payments?
Net resources include:
- Wages, salary, bonuses, and commissions.
- Self-employment and rental income.
- Retirement benefits, pensions, and trust income.
- Disability and workers’ compensation payments.
They do not include accounts receivable, the return of principal, or the income of a new spouse.
For straightforward cases—like a salaried employee with regular pay stubs—calculations are simple. But for self-employed parents, business owners, or those with fluctuating investment income, calculations require more in-depth review. Our child support attorneys regularly handle these complex cases to ensure accuracy.
Child Support for High-Net-Worth Families
Children of high-net-worth individuals are often accustomed to a different lifestyle than other kids. This can include attending an expensive private school, participating in costly extracurricular activities, and going on extravagant vacations.
Child support guidelines may not be sufficient to cover expenses associated with this lifestyle of children of high-net-worth individuals. With high-net-worth individuals, it is possible for the court to deviate from child support guidelines and order more child support than the statutory maximums.
Above guidelines, child support cases are complex and require a high level of attention to detail and an attorney with experience. At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, our child support lawyers are experienced in representing high-net-worth families. Whether you are seeking to receive child support that exceeds the statutory maximum, or you want to avoid paying more than is appropriate, our child support attorneys will work with you and prepare to effectively present arguments in support of your position.
Retroactive Child Support in Texas
Retroactive child support can be ordered when a parent has failed to provide financial support before a court order was in place. This often occurs in paternity cases.
Courts consider factors such as:
- The paying parent’s net income during the retroactive period.
- Whether the parent knew about their parental status.
- Attempts to avoid paying child support.
- Any support voluntarily provided before the case.
Texas law presumes retroactive orders cover up to four years prior, but this can be extended in certain circumstances.
Contact a Southlake Child Support Lawyer Today
Whether you are establishing a new child support arrangement, modifying an existing order, or dealing with enforcement issues, you need an attorney who understands both the legal and financial complexities involved. If custody or visitation is also at issue, our custody lawyers in Southlake can handle both.
At Mims Ballew Hollingsworth, our child support attorneys will develop a strategy tailored to your situation, protect your financial interests, and ensure your children’s needs are met.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help!
Frequently Asked Questions
In Texas, child support is typically based on the paying parent’s monthly net resources. Courts apply a percentage—20% for one child, 25% for two, 30% for three, and so on—up to a maximum cap set by Texas law. Net resources include wages, self-employment income, rental income, retirement benefits, and other earnings. The court may adjust this amount for factors such as other children the parent supports or special needs.
Yes. Texas allows child support modifications if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances—such as a significant change in income, job loss, or changes in the child’s needs. A review is also available if it has been three years since the last order and the current amount differs by at least 20% or $100 from what guidelines would require.
Texas child support orders typically require one parent to provide health and dental insurance for the child. The cost of the insurance premium may be factored into the child support calculation, and the other parent may be ordered to reimburse a portion of the cost. Uninsured medical and dental expenses are usually split between parents, often equally.
In most cases, child support continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. Support may continue indefinitely if the child has a disability requiring ongoing care.
Retroactive child support is support ordered for a period before the legal case was filed. Texas courts may award up to four years of retroactive support, depending on factors like whether the parent knew about their obligation and whether not paying caused hardship for the child. The court calculates the amount based on the paying parent’s income during the retroactive period.