Irving, Texas Child Support Attorneys

Trusted Child Support Lawyers for Clients in Irving, TX

Child support is often ordered by a judge after a divorce to make sure that both parents are held financially responsible for their child. Figuring out who is responsible for paying support—and how much—can be a complicated endeavor. With the help of an Irving, TX child support lawyer, you can stay informed of your rights whether you are paying or receiving support.

At Powell Law Offices, P.C., our legal team has decades of experience handling family law matters, including child-related concerns. We can sit down with you to discuss your issue in a low-pressure environment before providing you with firm advocacy in the courtroom.

Who Pays Child Support After a Texas Divorce?

In most Texas custody arrangements, the parent who does not have primary physical possession of the child, often called the non-custodial parent, is ordered to pay child support to the parent who has primary possession. This arrangement holds true even when parents share joint managing conservatorship, since conservatorship addresses decision-making rights rather than the day-to-day financial responsibility of raising a child.

Child support is meant to cover a child's basic needs, including housing, food, clothing, and other everyday expenses. A court can also order a parent to contribute toward health insurance and uncovered medical expenses. Support obligations generally continue until a child turns eighteen or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, though a court can order support to continue longer if the child has a disability. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights and obligations, whether you expect to pay support or receive it.

Does Texas Have a Formula for Child Support?

Texas courts generally rely on set guidelines to calculate child support based on the paying parent's net resources and the number of children involved. Net resources include income from most sources, minus certain deductions such as taxes and union dues. Under the guidelines, a parent typically pays a percentage of net resources that increases with each additional child covered by the order.

These guidelines apply as a starting point, but a judge is not always required to follow them exactly. A court can adjust the amount based on factors such as a child's special needs, travel expenses tied to possession and access, or a parent's ability to pay. Parents with irregular income, self-employment income, or multiple support obligations from other relationships often see more detailed calculations.

A parent who is intentionally unemployed or underemployed can still have support calculated based on earning potential rather than actual income. Our attorneys can review your financial circumstances and help build a support calculation that accurately reflects your situation.

When Can You Modify Child Support in Irving?

A child support order is not necessarily permanent. Either parent can ask the court to modify the amount when circumstances change significantly. Common reasons for a modification include a substantial change in either parent's income, a change in the child's needs, or a change in the possession schedule that shifts financial responsibilities between the parents.

Texas law also allows a modification if it has been three years since the order was established or last modified and the monthly amount would change by a set percentage under current guidelines. Parents seeking a modification must file a formal request with the court rather than agreeing informally to change payments, since an informal agreement will not be enforceable if a dispute arises later. Our attorneys can help you file a modification request or respond to one filed by the other parent.

Contact an Irving Child Support Lawyer Today

Whether you need help establishing a fair support order, enforcing an existing one, or requesting a modification, our team is ready to assist. Call 972-584-9382 or contact our Irving, TX child support attorneys to schedule a free consultation with Powell Law Offices, P.C. today.