When it comes to your children’s well-being, understanding how child support works in Texas is essential. Whether you’re going through a divorce, considering a modification to an existing order, or struggling to collect payments that are owed, having clarity on the process empowers you to make informed decisions and protect the future you’ve worked so hard to build for your family.
At Alexandra Geczi PLLC. Divorce & Family Law, our women-only firm has spent over 30 years helping families across the Dallas-Fort Worth area navigate child support matters with confidence. We believe in strength backed by strategy, and that starts with education. Here’s what every parent should know about child support in Texas.
How Child Support Is Calculated in Texas
One of the most common misconceptions about child support is that it’s based on both parents’ incomes or various lifestyle factors. In reality, Texas child support calculations are primarily based on the income of the parent who will be paying support, known as the obligor.
The calculation considers the obligor’s salary and financial resources, along with the amount of time each parent has with the child. Other factors, like health insurance premiums for the child, are also included in the equation. Many parents are surprised to learn that their own income as the receiving parent doesn’t directly factor into the standard calculation.
If you want to get a sense of what child support might look like in your situation, the Texas Attorney General’s office provides a helpful online calculator. To use it effectively, you’ll need the obligor’s pay stub to determine their earnings, information about health insurance premiums for the child, and details about the custody arrangement and time-sharing schedule. This calculator can give you a reliable estimate, though the final amount may vary based on specific circumstances in your case.
When Child Support Can Be Modified
Life rarely stays the same, and Texas law recognizes that child support orders sometimes need to change along with your circumstances. There are several valid reasons why you might seek a modification to an existing child support order.
Changes in the obligor’s income are among the most common reasons for modification. If the paying parent loses their job or experiences a significant reduction in income, the support amount may need to decrease. Conversely, if they receive a substantial raise or promotion, you may be entitled to increased support.
Changes in your child’s needs can also warrant a modification. Perhaps your child has developed special needs that require expensive medications or therapies. Maybe they’ve shown exceptional gifts and abilities that require additional financial support for lessons, equipment, or educational opportunities. These evolving needs are legitimate reasons to revisit the support arrangement.
The modification process requires filing with the court and demonstrating that circumstances have materially and substantially changed since the original order was entered. Working with an experienced family law attorney can help ensure your modification request is handled properly and efficiently.
What to Do When Child Support Payments Are Missed
Few things are more frustrating than relying on child support payments that don’t arrive. If your ex is missing payments, you have options for collecting what’s owed, and understanding those options helps you take strategic action.
One avenue is working through the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division. If your payments are already being processed through their office, you can open a case, and they will assist with collection efforts. This approach has some advantages, including that it maintains records that are automatically admissible in court. However, there are trade-offs to consider. The Attorney General’s office handles a high volume of cases, which can mean delays. Additionally, their focus is specifically on child support collection, so they won’t address any personal modifications or other issues you might want to resolve simultaneously.
The alternative is hiring a private attorney to pursue collection on your behalf. This route often moves faster and allows for more personalized attention to your specific situation. A private attorney can also handle modifications or other family law matters alongside the collection effort.
Regardless of which path you choose, maintaining clean records is essential. This is why routing payments through the child support office is generally advisable, as they keep official records that hold up in court. If you do receive private payments, document everything carefully. Avoid accepting cash whenever possible, as it’s difficult to prove those payments were made. Bank statements, receipts, and written acknowledgments all help build a clear paper trail if you ever need to take enforcement action.
How to Enforce a Child Support Order
When missed payments become a pattern, enforcement may be necessary. The good news is that unlike divorce proceedings, child support enforcement is relatively streamlined in Texas.
The foundation of successful enforcement is having a clear, well-written original order. We’ve seen cases where vague or poorly drafted orders make enforcement unnecessarily complicated. If your order has unclear provisions, addressing that issue first may be necessary.
Assuming you have a clear order and documented violations, the enforcement process is straightforward. There’s no waiting period or cooling off requirement like there is in divorce cases. You can file your enforcement petition, have the other party served, and set a trial date. If you already have your evidence gathered, you can move forward quickly. If you need time to collect documentation or issue subpoenas, you can build that into your timeline.
Enforcement actions can result in various consequences for the non-paying parent, including wage garnishment, property liens, license suspensions, and in serious cases, contempt of court findings that can lead to jail time. The court takes child support obligations seriously, and the system is designed to ensure children receive the financial support they’re entitled to.
Protecting Your Children’s Future
Child support exists to ensure that both parents contribute to their children’s financial needs, regardless of how the family structure has changed. Understanding how the system works puts you in a position of strength, whether you’re establishing an initial order, seeking a modification, or enforcing an existing agreement.
At Alexandra Geczi PLLC. Divorce & Family Law, we believe in divorce redefined: discreet, streamlined, and supportive. Our women-only firm brings compassion without compromise to every case, combining genuine care for our clients with strategic advocacy that gets results. Where powerful women protect each other, we’re committed to helping you navigate child support matters with the clarity and confidence you deserve.
Whether you’re trying to understand what child support might look like in your situation, need to modify an existing order due to changed circumstances, or are struggling to collect payments that are owed, our team is here to help. With over 30 years of combined experience serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community, we understand the unique challenges families face and are prepared to advocate fiercely on your behalf.