Are you facing child support-related issues and seeking reliable legal representation to protect your rights and the best interests of your child?
With a deep understanding of family law and extensive experience in child support matters, Richard Hughes is committed to providing compassionate and effective legal solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Child Support Legal Guidance
Protecting Your Rights and Your Child's Well-being
Navigating child support laws requires expert legal guidance. Richard Hughes is dedicated to safeguarding your rights and ensuring the well-being of your child.
Whether you need assistance
- Establishing child support
- Modifying an existing support order
- Enforcing support payments
Richard Hughes has the knowledge and expertise to guide you through every step, advocating for your rights and the best interests of your child.
Compassionate and Effective Legal Representation
At The Law Office of Richard Hughes, we understand that each child support case is unique, and the needs of families can vary greatly.
That's why our child support attorney provides legal representation tailored to your specific circumstances. Richard Hughes will take the time to listen to your concerns, assess the details of your case, and develop a personalized legal strategy designed to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your child.
Skilled Child Support Attorney in Tyler, TX
When it comes to child support matters, having an attorney on your side can make all the difference. With his in-depth understanding of child support laws and procedures, Richard Hughes will guide you through negotiations, court hearings, and any necessary legal actions to ensure fair and appropriate child support arrangements are in place.
Seek the Guidance You Need
Contact the Law Offices of Richard Hughes. Ready to have a knowledgeable and dedicated child support attorney on your side? With Richard Hughes by your side, you can trust that your rights and the best interests of your child will be protected.
Call now to experience the exceptional legal services of The Law Office of Richard Hughes, your trusted child support attorney in Tyler, TX.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to pay child support?
In Texas, the noncustodial parent pays child support until the child turns 18 years old or graduates from high school. Paying child support can end before that time if the child marries, enlists in the military, or is legally emancipated.
However, you may be required to pay child support indefinitely if your child is physically or mentally disabled and requires long-term care.
Who can apply for child support services?
Any parent is able to apply for child support services, including mothers, fathers, and caregivers to the child who may benefit from child support services.
The Office of the Attorney General is required by law to give the appropriate services to benefit the children.
How do I open a child support case?
There are several ways you can open a child support case. You can get in touch with the Texas Attorney General online, by phone, by mail, or in person at your local child support office.
Child support cases can also be opened when a parent receives specific types of public assistance, in which case, child support cases are automatically opened.
The types of assistance usually include when a parent receives Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or certain types of Medicaid. The child support services are automatic once the parent is certified for public assistance.
How much child support does Texas require?
In Texas, there is a standard formula that’s used to calculate child support.
This amount is calculated by taking the non-possessing conservator’s net income, subtracting the Social Security taxes and health insurance premiums to cover the child, and then taking a percentage of the remaining income based on the number of supported children.
The percentage taken from the remaining income depends on the number of children you need to support:
- 1 child = 20%
- 2 children = 25%
- 3 children = 30%
- 4 children = 35%
- 5 children = 40%
If you have more than 6 children, the amount may be higher than 40%, but it will never be lower than 40%. You may also be subject to additional rules if you are paying child support to multiple houses.
What happens if I don’t pay child support?
Not paying child support can have serious, and often expensive, consequences. Any unpaid child support payments have an interest rate of 6%, so you can wrack up a hefty payment long before any enforcement actions begin.
If the Attorney General’s office has to take enforcement actions, you can face serious consequences. This can include 50% of your payments being withheld from your paycheck or being charged with contempt of court, which is a misdemeanor that can have a $500 fine, 6 months in jail, or both.
You may also lose your professional licenses, driver’s license, or other Texas State-issued licenses. You can be blocked from vehicle registration and passport renewal by the State. On top of that, you may be ineligible for state contracts, grants, or loans. Your property may also get a lien on.
Even after all that, the Attorney General may also charge monetary damages.
What happens to my child-support payments if my income changes?
If your income changes significantly, you can apply for a modification to your child support. This may happen if you change jobs or income.
What should I do if I have trouble paying child support?
The best thing to do if you are struggling to make child support payments is to keep in contact with the Child Support Division and pay what you can. If you stay in touch with the department, they typically work with you until the situation is resolved.
Not communicating with the department about your financial difficulty is one of the quickest ways to trigger support-enforcement actions.
Can I change the amount of child support I pay or receive?
Yes, but it can only be changed through a court order. The change cannot be made by an agreement of parties. Both parents are able to request a change to a child support order if their circumstances change.
Some changes where you may request a court order include becoming ill and unable to work, receiving a higher-paying job, or losing employment.
No matter the reason, the requesting individual needs to demonstrate that circumstances have substantially changed to warrant the modifications to child support payments.