When a child support case is opened with the Office of the Attorney General, the court order will address custody and visitation, as well as how much child and medical support you will owe every month. The amount of child support you owe is set by state guidelines. If you can’t pay the full amount one month, it’s important to at least make a partial payment to show the court you are making an effort, as this may alleviate immediate consequences. If you fail to pay court-ordered child support, the OAG can collect past-due support even after the child turns 18, and with interest, this amount is likely to grow.
Amount of Child Support You Will Owe
In Houston, ordered child support is based around your net income. The Texas guidelines for the amount of child support the non-custodial parent owes are:
- One child – 20% of net income
- Two children – 25% of net income
- Three children – 30% of net income
- Four children – 35% of net income
- Five or more children – 40% of net income
Even if the non-custodial parent is unemployed, the court will still order the parent to pay child support. It helps to be as honest as possible with the court regarding your income so you aren’t stuck with an unrealistic child support order that you can’t meet.
Contact a Houston Law Firm for Help
If you or the other parent of your child is having difficulty paying child support, the attorneys at Diggs & Sadler may be able to help. Our legal team can offer sound legal advice for the protection of you and your child through this complicated situation. Call our Houston offices today at (713) 766-5355 to learn more about our services.