Denton County Child Support Attorneys
Experienced Legal Guidance for Child Support Agreements in Collin County & Tarrant County
Child support cases involve two very sensitive issues: family and finances. While both parents may want what's best for their child, there are often disputes regarding a parent's ability to pay and the amount of support requested.
Our Denton, Collin, and Tarrant County child support attorneys understand how important it is that your children receive the financial support that they deserve. We work closely with you to help make the process as stress-free as possible and to ensure that your case receives a favorable outcome.
If your paperwork is submitted incorrectly or is incomplete, it can easily get lost in the system. Leave all the legal details to us, including paperwork and documents! Our child support attorneys in Denton, Collin, and Tarrant County can help to make sure all documents and paperwork are filed correctly and in a timely manner.
Make sure you have the best possible chance of getting the outcome you need. Call (940) 293-2313 to speak with a child support attorney!
We have helped families just like yours through all types of divorce and family law-related matters. Find out how one of our Board-Certified Family Law Specialists can help you.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Texas?
In Texas, the amount of child support is determined by the court based on specific factors. When parents do not live together—either following a divorce or because they're separated or not married—the non-custodial parent is required to make ongoing child support payments until the child turns 18 years old.
Child support in TX can be determined based on, but not limited to:
- The number of children involved
- The net income of the non-custodial parent
- Basic living expenses for the child/children
- Expenses for the child/children's health care
- Expenses for the child/children's educational needs
Net resources include, but are not limited to:
- Spousal maintenance
- Self-employment income
- Social Security or disability benefits
- Worker's compensation
- Retirement benefits
- All wage and salary income (including tips and overtime)
Social security taxes, federal income taxes, state income taxes, union dues, and the cost of health insurance or cash medical support are deducted from the Obligor's resources to determine the Obligor's net resources. These deductions are calculated using the Texas Attorney General’s Tax Charts.
Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I'm Unemployed?
It is a common misconception that if the Obligor (the person paying child support) does not have a job, then they cannot be ordered to pay child support. If the Obligor is unemployed, then the court can order child support based on minimum wage. The amount will be calculated the same way as if the Obligor was employed.
If you have lost your job and have court-ordered child support payments, then the court needs to be made aware of your situation, even if you and your ex-spouse have reached an agreement. Your child support attorney can help you file for a modification of child support to either put it on hold or greatly reduce the amount while you remain unemployed.
This modified order is temporary until you find a new job. Once you find new employment, you will have to modify the order once again to reflect your new income.
You should also note that the court will not allow an indefinite amount of time to not pay any child support while hunting for a new job. Be sure to keep extremely accurate and detailed records regarding your job hunt process, as you may need to submit them to the judge as proof that you are indeed searching for a job and not putting off paying child support.
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Kelly Robb was great to work with. She communicated effectively and ensured that I understood every step in the process and how decisions would impact the outcome. She help make a very stressful process go smoothly and conducted herself with compassion and integrity.- Nicole
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I worked with Malorie Amalia Crosley on writing up a pre-nuptial agreement, and she was swift and put into writing everything I needed to be done. I appreciated the consultation and the help she provided me when I needed it. I would recommend her as a lawyer as she did everything I needed to be done promptly for a reasonable cost.- Leroy
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I have only been through a divorce once in my life and I thought I would hire a "big name" lawfirm in Dallas to handle my case. Well long story short, all the "big name" lawfirm did was rake me over the coals for money then dropped me like a bad habit after they sucked me dry! I immediately started looking for another lawyer locally in the Denton area and was referred to Duane Coker. I was reffered to Duane by another lawyer that doesn't specialize in divore or family law and was told he would treat me right. Well they were right! He made me feel very comfortable and told the the honest truth about things. He saw what my previous lawyer did to me and what my wife's attorney was doing to me. I am so glad he took my case and got my divorce finalized! He was very up front with things and kept me in loop on everything. The only regret I have is I should have used Duane from the begining! It would of had saved me thousands of dollars and a lot less headaches. I can't say enough good things about Duane and his staff. What a "true" lifesaver they were to me!- Kelly
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“It is with enthusiasm that I recommend Shelby Hart for any family law situation you may have.”- Lindsay
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He was kind, compassionate and listened to my needs and concerns. He efficiently handled and executed what needed to be done in a timely fashion! Shelby and his staff are amazing!- Michele
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Ashley Covert and her paralegal, Ashley Leverett were amazing from the very beginning. After my consult with Ashley C. I immediately felt comfortable with opening up to her about my situation and hired her right there. She made my divorce process very easy and stress free (this was HUGE for me as I had a lot of stressful situations arise during this process). Would definitely recommend and hire her again if I ever needed to!- Kathryn L.
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My case was handled in a timely manner. Great communication and understanding. My attorney, Sheba George, was great.- SJ V.
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Mr. Pax did an excellent job with my divorce from the consult to final disposition. He made the process easier than I expected, since I was moving during the divorce process. He always had time to answer questions and set appropriate expectations. He and the staff worked around my sometimes odd schedule to get things done. I found everyone I interacted with to be friendly, professional and courteous. I would recommend them to anyone else needing a divorce attorney.- Patricia
When Does Child Support End in Texas?
A common question about child support is "Does child support automatically end at 18?" In Texas, child support ends when the child is emancipated, which happens automatically when the child turns 18 years old. In some rare cases, a child can be emancipated at a younger age, such as by getting a full-time job or joining the military.
Do you need legal counsel for a child support case? Reach out to our team for guidance! The team at Coker, Robb & Cannon has been delivering effective child support solutions to families for over 20 years. Our Denton child support lawyers are committed to helping you resolve your child support matter as promptly and as effectively as possible. We have offices in Denton, Frisco, and Fort Worth to better serve you. We offer financing to help with retainer fees. Click here to see your options.
Is Child Support Tax Deductible in Texas?
No, child support is not tax deductible because it is not considered income. If you are paying child support, then you will not be able to deduct those expenses from your taxes. While you can deduct items such as alimony and other costs related to the care of your child, child support is not considered income and cannot be taxed in that way.
If you are going through a divorce, are seeking to establish child support, or would like to request a review of your existing child support obligations, Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers can help. We've been working with clients across Denton, Collin, and Tarrant County since 1998.
Recommended Reading on Child Support Law:
- Child Support and Taxes
- How Can I Change a Child Support Order?
- How to Get an Up-to-Date Record of Your Texas Child Support Account
Call us today at (940) 293-2313 to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers?
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Video Consultations & Meetings Available
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Voted Best Family Law Firm & Best Law Firm in Denton County
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Working Hard to Achieve the Best Results Possible
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Deeply Committed to Listening & Helping You