"How is child support calculated?"
That is the first question we are asked when we consult with parents facing a separation or divorce. The answer to that question is in Chapter 154 of the Texas Family Code. Simply stated, the court can order a parent to pay child support for a child until that child turns 18, graduates from high school, or emancipates. Child support obligations can extend beyond any of those events based on any special needs the child may have that are more fully described in the code.
The next thing to consider is how many children are you paying support for in this relationship and outside this relationship. If a party is only obligated to pay support for one child, the Texas Family Code sets out the guideline percentage for support at 20%. It increased more children. So, if you have two children in this relationship, you will pay 25%. However, if you have one child in this relationship and another child with a different parent, you will pay 17.5% of your net income in child support for the child currently before the court. Again,
Finally, so what does the State include in my "net resources.". Net resources include wages, self-employment income, interest, dividends, royalty income, and self-employment income, minus social security taxes, federal/state income taxes, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Essentially, everything you earn is considered in the calculation of support. The Texas Family Code does carve out exceptions for gifts, bequests, and other awards that they do not consider income. However, overall, income is broadly construed by Texas Courts.
With that, every family dynamic is different. If you are facing a child support case, please call Cotten Schmidt for a family law consultation. We can guide through this this and any other family law issue you be facing. You can contact us at 817-338-4500 and https://www.cottenschmidt.com/.