When you’re involved in a child support dispute, it is imperative to ensure that the matter is addressed objectively and reasonably. However, due to the emotional stress that arises when you and your co-parent can’t get along, both of you can easily forget that the primary aim of child support is to ensure that both parents make a fair contribution towards taking care of their children after a breakup. To ensure cooperation throughout the case, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a top child support attorney in Houston that has experience cases similar to yours.
Texas Law & Child Support
The state of Texas has very precise guidelines on matters to do with child support. The statutes that touch on child support state the amount the non-custodial parent should pay the custodial parent, capping it at $6,000 per month. Based on the number of children, the situation of the divorce, and the amount of income, the defendant is supposed to pay the claimant (the parent living with the child) a minimum of 20% of his/her net income. Besides, the child should have healthcare, and the payer must provide it if it is not available through their employers. These obligations are binding until the child turns 18 and graduates from high school.
The Role of the Court
When a couple with a child decides to divorce, one of the parents is appointed to be the custodian of the child. Since both parents want to share the expenses of bringing up the child, the court sets the amount that the non-custodial parent will be paying the custodial parent every month.
However, it is still possible for the couple to make an agreement on how they are going to bring up the child without involving themselves with the judicial process. The problem is that such an agreement is not legally binding. For such an agreement to be legally enforceable, a judge has to sign it and write an order to that effect.
Family Lawyers Matter in Child Support Disputes
From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that claiming child support is largely a judicial process. You are therefore entitled to legal representation in such cases. Without a person who understands the law and your rights properly, the other party could easily undercut you. A Texas family lawyer with experience in child support cases will assist you to navigate the judicial process and ensure that you receive or pay what is fairly deserved.
In a nutshell, it is clear that whether you are the claimant or a defendant in a child support dispute, you have to keep your emotions out of the case. To do this effectively, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a competent family lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected and that the settlement is in the best interest of your child.
