Killeen Child Support Lawyer

If you are facing a divorce involving children or have a case outside of divorce, child support is an important matter that directly affects your household and requires careful navigation. When parents are no longer together, they both remain financially responsible for their children, and this is addressed through child support payments. If you have questions or concerns about handling payments with your co-parent, an experienced Killeen child support lawyer at Kimbrough Legal, PLLC, could help. Our compassionate family attorneys are here to ensure a stable financial future for your children.

Which Parent Owes Child Support?

When one parent is assigned the primary conservator role, which involves having more parenting time than the other, they are typically the recipient of child support payments from their ex-partner or co-parent. When parents equally divide their time with their children, however, the parent who is the higher earner is likely the one who will have the child support obligation. If you have questions regarding whether or not you or your co-parent owes child support, contact a Killeen attorney.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

Generally, child support is calculated in accordance with predetermined guidelines. State courts only deviate from this standard when there is a significant reason for doing so. The standard calculation process for child support in Texas is based on the number of children involved and the paying parent’s net income. The typical calculations are as follows, based on the number of children and the required percentage of net income for the non-custodial or higher-earning parent:

• For one child: 20%
• For two children: 25%
• For three children: 30%
• For four children: 35%
• For five children: 40%
• For six or more children: 40% or higher

Child support must be paid until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. As children age out of the child support calculation, the amount of child support owed decreases by the applicable percentage.

Texas has a soft cap on child support payments. This means that the amount can be increased if the unique circumstances involved support it. Recently, this cap was set at 20% of $11,700 in net income for one child, which amounts to $2,340 in child support per month. A Killeen lawyer could explain how these child support calculations apply to your case in more detail.

Factors That May Affect the Child Support Calculation Process

While child support is usually calculated according to the state’s preset guidelines, it can deviate based on the best interests of the child. Some considered factors include:

• Each parent’s income and ability to support their children
• The number of overnights each parent has with the children
• Each child’s age and their unique needs, including any special needs
• Whether the parent who pays child support also pays spousal support
• Either parent’s financial obligations regarding children from another relationship
• The amount of money that the noncustodial parent spends on travel to spend time with the children
• The cost of the children’s schooling or daycare, health insurance, and out-of-pocket medical expenses

Courts do not look kindly on parents who are voluntarily unemployed or underemployed as a means of paying less child support. In these cases, the court can calculate and order the amount of child support the parent would owe if their income reflected their earning potential. A lawyer in Killeen could help you if you think your unique situation will require child support payments that are different from the standard calculations.

Contact a Killeen Attorney to Discuss Child Support Payments

At Kimbrough Legal, PLLC, we know how important child support is to your and your children’s future. We are committed to building a strong case that supports a favorable case resolution for you. Contact us online or call us today to speak with a knowledgeable Killeen child support lawyer for help.