Child Support Attorney in San Marcos

Protecting Your Child's Best Interests

When it comes to family law matters, child support can be one of the most contentious and complex issues to settle. Child support is a court-ordered payment made by one parent to the other parent for the financial support and care of their child. These payments are typically made monthly until the child turns 18, or until the child graduates from high school, whichever comes later.

At The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway, our San Marcos child support attorney understands the various factors that go into a child support determination. We can help you understand your rights and obligations, and we can represent you in any child support dispute, whether you are the paying parent or the receiving parent.

Contact us online or call (512) 846-9966 to schedule a consultation with our child support lawyer in San Marcos.

How Is Child Support Determined in Texas?

Child support is typically determined by the court, although the parents may be able to agree on an amount and submit their agreement to the court for approval. If the parents cannot agree, the court will use the Texas child support guidelines to determine the amount of support. The guidelines are based on the income of the paying parent and the number of children the parent is obligated to support.

Other factors that may be considered when determining child support include:

• The amount of time the child spends with each parent
• The child's medical and educational needs
• The child's health insurance and child care costs
• Whether the paying parent has an obligation to support other children
• Whether the paying parent has a disability
• Whether the paying parent has significant assets

Keep in mind that child support is determined by the court and that the court has the discretion to deviate from the guidelines if it determines that the guidelines would not be in the child's best interests.

Can I Modify My Child Support Order?

Child support orders are not set in stone. In Texas, the court recognizes that circumstances change and that existing child support orders may no longer be fair or appropriate. As such, the court allows parents to seek a modification of their child support order if there has been a material and substantial change in circumstances.

Modifying a child support order may be warranted if:

• The paying parent has had a significant change in income
• The receiving parent has had a significant change in income
• The child's medical or educational needs have changed
• The child's health insurance or child care costs have changed
• The child has become disabled
• The child has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition
• The child has moved in with the paying parent
• The paying parent is supporting additional children

If you have experienced a material and substantial change in circumstances, our child support attorney in San Marcos can help you seek a modification of your child support order. We can also represent you if you are the receiving parent and you believe that the paying parent should be paying more.

What Happens If I Don't Pay Child Support in Texas?

Under Texas law, both parents have a legal obligation to provide financial support for their child. If the paying parent fails to meet this obligation, he or she may be subject to serious legal consequences, including civil and criminal penalties.

Some of the potential civil penalties for not paying child support include:

• Wage garnishment
• Levying and seizing bank accounts
• Intercepting tax refunds
• Liens against property
• Withholding income
• Denying or revoking professional licenses
• Denying or revoking a passport

If the paying parent fails to pay child support and the amount owed exceeds $5,000, he or she may also be subject to criminal penalties. In Texas, child support arrears of $20,000 or more is a felony offense punishable by up to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.

If you are the receiving parent and the paying parent has fallen behind on child support, our San Marcos child support attorney can help you take legal action to enforce the child support order. We can also represent you if you have been accused of not paying child support and you need help defending yourself against criminal charges.

How to Choose a Child Support Lawyer

If you are involved in a child support dispute, it is important to choose a child support lawyer with the right experience and skill set. When selecting a child support lawyer, consider the following:

• Experience: Family law can be complex, and child support disputes can be some of the most contentious. You will want a lawyer who has experience handling child support cases and who is familiar with the local court system.
• Reputation: Look for a child support lawyer with a solid reputation in the community. You can learn more about a lawyer's reputation by reading online reviews and testimonials.
• Approachability: Family law matters can be highly emotional and stressful. You will want a child support lawyer who is approachable and who will take the time to answer your questions and address your concerns.
• Communication: Effective communication is key to a successful attorney-client relationship. When selecting a child support lawyer, look for a lawyer who is a good communicator and who will keep you informed of the status of your case.

At The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway, we have been representing clients in child support cases for more than 25 years. We are known for our compassionate approach and our ability to get results.

Schedule a Consultation Today

If you need help with a child support matter, turn to The Law Offices of David C. Hardaway for the exceptional legal representation you deserve. We are proud to serve clients throughout Central Texas, and we offer free initial consultations.

Contact us online or call (512) 846-9966 to speak to our child support attorney in San Marcos.