Child Support/Spousal Support

Among the areas of family law that frequently cause difficulty and require legal representation are child support, spousal maintenance and child custody.

When parents divorce, child support is the amount the non-custodial parent pays monthly to provide financial support for their children. A court order or agreement between spouses typically establishes a support amount, based on Texas State guidelines. Over time, personal and family situations often change. Adjustments to a child support court order may be necessary if a parent relocates with the children, remarries, becomes ill or a child requires different educational or medical needs. At the Law Offices of Kathy Black in Katy, Texas, we regularly assist clients with an array of support issues. In addition to arriving at a support plan as part of a divorce settlement, we provide legal services when you need support modifications, order enforcement or support collection.

Spousal Support

In Texas, alimony is called spousal support or maintenance. The court may order maintenance for a spouse, if at least one certain of the following requirements are met:

  1. 1. Spouse convicted of family violence within 2 years of filing date of divorce, or
  2. 2. Marriage was 10 years or longer and spouse lacks sufficient resources to provide for minimal reasonable needs and:
    • is unable to support herself through employment because of physical and/or mental disability, or
    • is the custodian of a child whose disability prevents the spouse from working outside the
      home, or
    • lacks earning ability in labor market

 

Unless there's a disability, the maximum term for maintenance is three years, and the amount cannot exceed $2500/month or 20% of spouse's average monthly gross income, whichever is less.

It's important to note that the court can order temporary spousal support while the divorce is pending in many situations until the parties or the court makes a final decisions regarding property division.

Child Support — Not Exclusive to Divorce

Aside from divorce, other family situations where the court may order child support include:

 

Texas family law attorney serves clients in Richmond, Rosenberg, Fulshear, Houston and surrounding
towns in Fort Bend, Harris and Waller Counties


Contact a Texas Family Law Attorney

If you are faced with child support issues and need legal guidance, call the Law Office of Kathy Black at (281) 398-5546. We will arrange an appointment to discuss your concerns with an experienced family law attorney.


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