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(833) 553-4251
Divorces can be complex when children are involved. Courts make conservatorship determinations and order child support payments based on the best interests of the child. How long does a person typically have to support a child?
Though it is important to meet the child’s needs, child support payments can have a major impact on the paying parent’s life. It is reasonable to want to know about the amount and duration of child support payments in Austin. A child support attorney from our firm could advise you on this matter.
Child support aims to ensure that all of a child’s basic needs—including food, clothing, and shelter—are met. Each child support order is unique to the circumstances of that specific case. Depending on state laws and the agreement between the co-parents, what child support may also cover includes:
In Austin, parents must typically pay financial support until the child reaches a milestone such as the legal age of adulthood or graduation from high school.
In most cases, child support amounts are based on the net income of the paying parent from all available sources. According to state law, employers in Austin must, if relevant, deduct support payments for a minor directly from wages for the duration of the agreement. While paying parents have the flexibility to change their payment method, they can only adjust the actual amount due by returning to court and obtaining a modification of the court order.
Even if you are having trouble making the full payment, it is important to pay as much as you can each month. If you stop making payments, the amount you owe will only increase, as Texas assesses a six percent interest rate on unpaid child support. Also, to show the court that you are trying to meet your obligations, it is always better to pay something rather than nothing.
Typically, child support payments end when your court order says they do. In Austin, parental obligation to pay child support usually lasts until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Typically, if it is longer than this, it is because the court order covers higher education expenses, or the child has a disability that requires extended support.
However, other events can trigger the end of child support payments. For example, the marriage of one of the co-parents may eliminate the need for payments. If the child marries or enlists in the military, or if the child has become emancipated before the age of 18, the court would likely terminate the need for child support.
Paying child support is an important obligation. State law takes child support payments very seriously, and failure to make them in a timely manner can result in serious legal trouble. However, the obligation to pay does not last forever, and changed circumstances can justify a modification.
If you have questions about the duration of child support payments in Austin or other family law matters, Kimbrough Family Law could help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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