Child Support in Texas: Courts can Order an Amount above the Guidelines
As mentioned in a previous post, the Texas Family Code establishes guidelines for the courts to follow when ordering child support. The guidelines translate to a percentage of an obligor’s net monthly income, which is also explained in that post. Client’s often ask if the guideline maximum amount of child support per month ($1,710.00 for one child, $2,137.50 for two and so one) is absolute. As a Houston child support lawyer, I have to tell them, no. Though not common, a court does have discretion to deviate from the guidelines if the evidence indicates that the guideline amount is not in the child’s best interest and it warrants a variance from the guidelines. The courts can look at the age and needs of the child, the financials of both parents, day care costs, etc. when determining the amount of support an obligor should pay.
See the following articles featured in our Texas Family Law Blog:
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