Child Support Lawyer in San Antonio

Fighting for Parents to Receive Fair Child Support

Child support is intended to provide for the needs of your child and is not optional in most cases. Understanding what to expect with respect to child support is very important in protecting you and your child’s rights for adequate support. At South TX Family Law, we will defend you against any parent or party attempting to reduce or to deny your child support payments without good cause. While we often also represent noncustodial parents to defend against unreasonable demands for child support, we recognize that both parents bear some responsibility for the support of their child. Whether you need to establish child support for the first time, seek a modification in the amount originally ordered, or enforce the order that is not being followed, South TX Family Law firm can help.

When parents separate, it often creates added stress as they try to adjust to their new lives. A common concern is the decision of how to share the financial responsibilities of raising children now that the parents are no longer living in the same household. Maintaining separate households often means twice the expense on less income. The difference between living together and living apart is often the reality of who bears the financial benefits and burdens associated with raising a family.

Given that child support involves providing for the needs of your child, there are specific child support guidelines that govern how and when these payments should be arranged and handled. If you find yourself in a situation where it appears as though your child support order has not been followed or no longer meets basic needs, you should know what steps you can take to enforce the child support order and protect your rights as well as those of your child. It may be that due to special needs, special talents, or economic realities, standard child support is not adequate to meet the child’s needs. Reach out to our professional family law counsel in San Antonio today to get in touch with a child support attorney that is right for you.

As a custodial parent, you deserve enough child support to ensure the quality of life for your child. All child support cases are different and all child support needs are different. We can help you resolve any child support issues to ensure you and your child have a fruitful future. From child custody and child support enforcement to modification of child support orders, let us help you get the results you deserve. Contact us today at 210-775-0353 to get started.

What Determines Child Support Payments?

When parents decide to live apart and no longer raise their children together in one household, child support is designed to provide for the financial needs of a child. Most people understand child support as monthly payments made to help cover the costs of raising a child and many times parents will agree upon the amount of child support that should be paid. However, agreements can fall apart over time and court orders can be confusing. These arrangements can become complex depending on the details of your specific situation and it is essential that the court order be specific and clear as to financial obligations. If you find yourself in need of legal help related to your rights as a parent or those of your child, reach out to our San Antonio-based law firm for comprehensive legal representation.

The amount of money obligated to be paid through this arrangement can be determined by several factors in addition to the statutory guidelines, including:

The net income earned monthly by each parent
The ability of each parent to work or earn income
Monthly bills such as rent or mortgage payments
Special medical expenses for the child or the parent
Special educational needs of the child
The number of children involved in the order
Children from other relationships that are entitled to support
Health insurance costs for each party
Daycare expenses
The cost of living in your area

Child support is not solely based on income earned by either parent but also on the financial needs required to raise a child. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding specific amounts paid through child support, the statutory guidelines are implemented to ensure parents are not ordered to pay more than they can reasonably afford. The judge in Texas will most likely follow the statutory guidelines in the absence of compelling evidence that more support is needed and appropriate. However, the judge does have discretion and the ability to deviate from the guidelines.

It is important to understand what factors determine how much you may owe or be owed in child support arrangements. Our experienced staff will provide comprehensive counsel throughout this process. We understand that establishing and enforcing child support payments can be difficult, and we want to help you protect your rights and those of your family.

To learn more about what our firm can do for you if you are going through a divorce or concerned about the future of your child’s financial security, reach out to our office today for legal advice tailored to meet the needs of your unique circumstances.

What If the Support-Paying Parent Doesn’t Follow the Court Order?

Court-ordered child support becomes an issue when one party is not honest with their child support obligations or when unexpected financial hardships occur. While you may find yourself overwhelmed by finances at times, it will ultimately result in much larger problems if you allow these concerns to affect your child support payments. If you find yourself in a situation where it appears as though your child support order isn’t being followed, it is vital to act quickly to rectify the issue. Although contempt of court proceedings can result in jail time for the parent who fails to meet their obligations, there are many other remedies available as well.

You can reach out to our law office if you are having an issue with child support payment arrangements. We will walk you through what steps need to be taken and ensure that your rights do not become compromised due to these issues. Our firm has helped countless parents make legal decisions regarding child custody visitation and child support orders. Reach out today for help securing the future of your child and enforcing the financial support that was initially court-ordered or agreed upon. We’ll help you pursue the unpaid child support that you deserve and protect your rights throughout your child support issue.

Can a Child Support Order be Modified?

You may also face child support issues if your circumstances change, which could require modifying the existing child support agreement. Parents are not permitted to adjust their child support orders without the approval of a judge. Parents who make adjustments by agreement without a court order often find that it leads to unintended consequences. Getting legal representation from a trusted San Antonio child support attorney is critical when pursuing a modification of your child support order.

Some reasons a parent may be granted child support modification include:

Job loss, but the job loss must not be voluntary
Severe reduction in income-earning capacity due to injury or illness
Increased needs due to medical or educational costs
Increased child support needs due to the child growing
Remarriage of a parent
Increased monthly income amounts due to gaining a pay raise or additional employment

If you are a non-custodial parent facing challenges regarding child support or are a receiving parent with increased child support needs, please get in touch with our South Texas law firm immediately. We’ll advise you on your rights and help you get the modification order you need for a satisfying, fulfilling life. We can also assist individuals whose spouses refuse to pay child support in enforcing these necessary court orders. Call now to learn more about how we can help you!

What Can a Child Support Lawyer in San Antonio Do to Help Me?

A San Antonio child support lawyer can help you navigate the sometimes confusing process of establishing child support payments. Our experienced professionals will protect your rights while advocating for financial assistance for your family.

We can help you handle a wide range of complex child support issues, including requests to change existing orders, questions about federal income tax impacts, disputes over the amount owed, help with collection, and more.

What Other Divorce Cases Can a San Antonio Child Support Attorney Handle?

San Antonio, TX divorce cases can be incredibly complex and often involve a multitude of issues. One important issue is making sure child support is handled properly and that you receive a fair outcome and payment under Texas child support laws.

Another issue that arises for couples with children is navigating child custody matters. Parents can often agree on a change in periods of possession to accommodate the needs of any of the parties, and parents are encouraged to be flexible because a court order cannot anticipate every schedule change that may arise. Unlike child support orders, the parents can decide to modify many custody matters, such as whether one parent will retain sole custody or how caring for the children will be divided. If custody is changed, however, a new order should be entered to ensure there is no misunderstanding or revocation of the agreement later.

Other issues that arise involve the parents’ financial situations. For example, divorcing spouses must reach an agreement on property division, which can be a highly contentious topic. A San Antonio divorce attorney can help represent your interests and reach an arrangement that meets your needs.

Furthermore, alimony issues must be settled in a Texas divorce. While Texas law does not require or even favor alimony, a judge may award one spouse a temporary or permanent alimony or spousal support order to accommodate their minimum needs if they are not able to enter the workforce. In many Texas divorce cases, the situation does not qualify for alimony under Texas law or it may be very difficult to obtain, but the parties may agree to it on a contractual basis.

For maximum protection in these and other divorce issues, please contact our family law firm immediately. We have decades of experience representing couples in San Antonio divorces. We promise to leverage our knowledge, talent, and honesty to give you the best chance at a favorable outcome in your divorce.

Is Hiring a San Antonio Child Support Attorney Right for Me?

If you are facing legal trouble involving child support orders, our firm can help. From setting up visitation rights to establishing child support orders, we will walk you through each step of the process while ensuring that your best interests are met. We will carefully craft the final orders in a way that can be enforced later if necessary, and we can assist with modification or enforcement issues as well.

Our legal team will work diligently to gather evidence that demonstrates your ability or inability to pay child support or your need for child support payments and any need for deviating from the standard. You can trust us to give honest answers in terms you can understand.

For more information on how our law firm can provide comprehensive counsel regarding child custody issues and child support enforcement in San Antonio, Texas, please call South TX Family Law at 210-775-0353 for professional guidance today.