Child Support Attorney for Wylie, Texas

How Texas Calculates Child Support

Texas child support is calculated as a percentage of the obligor's net monthly resources. The percentages established by the Texas Family Code are:

• 1 child: 20% of net resources
• 2 children: 25% of net resources
• 3 children: 30% of net resources
• 4 children: 35% of net resources
• 5 children: 40% of net resources
• 6+ children: not less than 40% of net resources

"Net resources" includes wages, salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, and certain other categories. Social Security taxes, federal income taxes, union dues, and health insurance premiums for the child are deducted before the percentage is applied.

Net Resource Cap

Texas applies a cap on the amount of net resources subject to guideline support. As of September 2023, that cap is $11,700 per month. For obligors earning more than the cap, guideline support applies only to the first $11,700, and the court may order additional support based on the proven needs of the child.

Medical and Dental Support

In addition to the basic child support obligation, Texas courts order one or both parents to provide health insurance coverage for the children and to share uninsured medical expenses. The court considers which parent has access to more affordable group coverage through an employer and assigns the obligation accordingly.

For Wylie families where both parents have employer-sponsored coverage, Lynda analyzes which plan offers better coverage at a lower cost and presents that analysis to the court.

Child Support Modifications

Child support orders are not permanent. Texas allows modifications when circumstances have materially and substantially changed since the last order, or when the existing order has been in place for three or more years and the guidelines would produce a difference of at least 20% or $100 per month.

Common reasons Wylie parents seek modifications include:

• Job loss, promotion, or significant income change
• Changes in the custody arrangement
• A child's changing medical or educational needs
• The obligor having additional children in a new household

Enforcement of Child Support

When a parent falls behind on child support payments, Texas law provides several enforcement mechanisms. These include income withholding orders, liens on property, suspension of driver's and professional licenses, and in severe cases, contempt of court proceedings that can result in jail time.

Lynda represents both obligees seeking enforcement and obligors who have been wrongfully accused of non-payment or who have legitimate reasons for falling behind. She works to resolve enforcement disputes as efficiently as possible while protecting her client's rights.

Child Support and Multi-County Jurisdiction

Because Wylie straddles three counties, the court that issued the original child support order may be in Collin, Dallas, or Rockwall County. Modification and enforcement actions are generally filed in the court that has continuing jurisdiction — usually the court that issued the original order. Lynda helps Wylie families navigate these jurisdictional requirements to ensure their case is handled correctly.