Arlington Child Support Lawyer

How Can A Child Support Attorney Help Me?

Navigating issues related to child support can often be a daunting and overwhelming process. Whether you are trying to determine child support payments, modify an existing child support order, or enforce a parent's child support obligations, the assistance of an experienced attorney can be invaluable. An Arlington child support lawyer can help you understand the laws surrounding child support in Texas while advising you on how to resolve these issues in a way that will provide for your child's needs while protecting your financial interests.

At Daniel R. Bacalis, P.C., our attorney has extensive experience in child support matters, and we can provide you with knowledgeable legal guidance to help ensure the best possible outcome for your case. We understand how child support decisions impact parents and children, and we strive to find solutions that are fair for all parties involved. If you need to address child support or other family law issues in Arlington, we can provide you with legal services tailored to meet your needs.

Issues to Consider in Arlington, TX Child Support Cases

Child support will usually be a factor in divorce cases where spouses have children together, and it may also need to be addressed in child custody cases involving unmarried parents. While different types of child support arrangements may be available, most cases will involve the non-custodial parent paying ongoing support to the custodial parent.

The amount that is paid by the "obligor" parent will usually be determined by taking a percentage of their income. This percentage is based on the number of children the parent is supporting, and it will be applied to their "net resources," which are all sources of income they earn minus deductions such as income taxes and union dues.

There are some situations where courts may deviate from the "percentage of income" standards. These deviations may be based on issues such as:

• The children's ages and needs - The amount of support needed may be higher for children of certain ages, such as younger children who need to attend daycare while the custodial parent is at work. Other issues that affect children's needs, such as health issues that require ongoing medical treatment, may lead to child support being increased.
• The ability of the parents to financially support their children - Each parent's income-earning ability may be considered. If the non-custodial parent has disabilities or health issues that prevent them from working full-time, the amount of support they are required to pay may be lowered. On the other hand, if the custodial parent is unable to earn sufficient income, the other parent may be required to pay higher amounts of support.
• Other financial resources available to provide support for children - A court may look at whether either parent owns valuable assets that may be used to help meet children's needs. Other resources, such as inheritances left to children by extended family members, may also play a role in child support decisions.
• Visitation schedules - In cases where parents each have equal or similar amounts of time with their children, it may not make sense for one parent to pay the specified percentage of income to the other.
• Child care expenses - If children need to receive child care while one or both parents are working, the amount needed to pay for these services may be factored into child support decisions.
• Alimony/spousal maintenance - If a parent pays or receives spousal support, this may be considered when looking at their income and the resources available to them.
• Travel and transportation - The costs that either parent will need to pay when following visitation schedules, including travel expenses for a non-custodial parent to visit the area where the custodial parent lives or the costs of transporting children between parents' homes, may be considered when establishing child support orders.

After child support orders are put in place, it may be possible to have them modified at a later date. In a modification request, a parent will usually need to show that they, the other parent, or their children have experienced significant changes in their circumstances, such as the loss of a job or a promotion that has resulted in increased income. In cases where a parent has not paid support as required, the other parent may take action to enforce child support orders and collect the unpaid amount.

Contact Our Arlington, Texas Child Support Attorney

At our law firm, we understand the complexities of child support cases, and we are committed to helping you obtain a fair outcome in your case. With years of experience in family law matters in Arlington, Texas, we can help you navigate child support issues ranging from establishing a child support order to pursuing modifications or enforcement actions. If you need assistance with child support or any other issues related to divorce or child custody, please reach out to us for help by calling 817-498-4105 and scheduling a free consultation.