| Child support laws in Texas are tough and strict. | | | | property, shares and pensions must also be |
| Many non custodial parents, frustrated by the | | | | disclosed. |
| custodial parent's failure to stick to an agreed | | | | Allowable deductions include taxes and union dues, |
| visitation schedule, cut off their support payments | | | | health care payments for your children and costs |
| in frustration. | | | | of running your business if you are self employed. |
| This is a mistake. It is understandable to feel | | | | In Texas the courts can also assess your ability |
| frustrated but to do this in Texas is illegal and can | | | | to earn so if you make a lifestyle choice of "going |
| lead to an attachment or garnishment of wages | | | | back to college" this will not eradicate your child |
| order or even some time in the slammer. | | | | support obligations. |
| Generally support payments are calculated by | | | | The court will then determine your net resources |
| reference to the usual overarching principles of | | | | and calculate 20% of this figure for 1 child; for |
| your ability to pay and the need of the custodial | | | | each extra child they will calculate another 5% per |
| parent and child. But each state is allowed by | | | | child. |
| government to put their own particular spin on it | | | | However you can come to an agreement with |
| and in Texas support is calculated as follows- | | | | the other parent to change or modify your child |
| Firstly all of your income must be disclosed. This | | | | support payments and this agreement, if reached, |
| includes overtime, bonuses, tips, | | | | can be filed in the court by agreement and this is |
| commission-essentially all income. But it does not | | | | perfectly acceptable without the need to go to |
| stop at your income because your assets such as | | | | court again. |