San Antonio Child Support Lawyer
How Much Will You Be Paying for Child Support in Texas?
Every parent must financially support their child—whether they are unmarried or divorced. Calculating and awarding child support is a key part of a divorce if you have children with your spouse. This process also applies if you and your child's other parent never married.
Regardless of your situation, our child support attorney in San Antonio stands ready to help. At The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC, we use years of legal experience to guide parents through the challenges of a child support dispute. When you choose our family law firm, you can rely on our commitment to your case.
Discuss your case with our San Antonio child support attorney today by contacting us at (210) 702-2203. Your initial consultation is free of charge.
Understanding The Legal Process for Obtaining Child Support
Seeking child support in Texas involves a defined process that can change depending on the parents' marital status. Below, we describe the steps involved for different circumstances.
Filing for child support in Bexar County, where San Antonio is located, often starts with submitting a petition to the appropriate district court. Parents often interact with the local courthouse or the Texas Office of the Attorney General for guidance throughout this process. Our experience with San Antonio's court system helps us guide clients step by step, from preparing initial paperwork to attending hearings about payment amounts or modifications.
Divorce Proceedings
A child support order may become part of your divorce proceedings. This order details each parent's financial responsibilities for their child.
Unmarried Parents and Paternity Establishment
For unmarried parents, establishing paternity is necessary before the court can issue a child support order. Paternity determines the legal father of the child. If the parents dispute paternity, the court may order the alleged father to take a paternity test.
Biological parents can establish paternity by completing an Acknowledgment of Paternity form. Both parents sign this form to legally recognize the child's father without a court order.
Once paternity is established, either parent can submit a request for child support.
Understanding Wage Garnishment & Payment Methods
Texas courts often use wage garnishment to ensure timely child support payments. In San Antonio, employers might receive court orders to deduct the appropriate amount from an employee’s paycheck and send payments directly to the receiving parent. This process helps maintain consistent payments and may reduce disputes between parents.
Parents may also make payments through the Texas State Disbursement Unit or by personal check, but wage withholding remains the most common and reliable method. When parents use the state's payment system, they gain access to clear records and a streamlined way to handle payment disputes. The Texas system benefits those who move in or out of Bexar County, as it can track obligations even when jobs or employers change.
Calculating Child Support in Texas
In Texas, your custody order impacts the amount of child support you pay or receive. Usually, the non-custodial parent—the parent who spends less time with the child—must pay support.
Texas calculates child support based on the non-custodial parent’s income. Parents may agree to pay more than what the state’s guidelines or formula provide, but they cannot agree to pay less. If parents cannot reach an agreement, the court will decide and set the payment amount.
The state’s child support guidelines are as follows:
- 1 child: 20% of the paying parent’s net resources
- 2 children: 25% of the paying parent’s net resources
- 3 children: 30% of the paying parent’s net resources
- 4 children: 35% of the paying parent’s net resources
- 5 children: 40% of the paying parent’s net resources
- 6+ children: not less than the amount for 5 children
Texas courts consider several unique factors when determining child support amounts. In San Antonio, military families and blended households are common, which can influence the calculation. Issues like health insurance, educational needs, and local living expenses may all affect support. If a parent’s income changes significantly or custody arrangements shift, Texas law allows requests for updated support amounts. Our team considers these local and personal factors to help parents reach fair outcomes for their children.
Why Choose The Law Office of Derek S. Ritchie, PLLC?
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Work Directly With Your Attorneys
Derek and his team will work directly with you through every step of your case. It’s important to us that your case receives highly personalized attention. You instilled your trust in us and we will work to meet and exceed your expectations.
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We Fight to Win
We’re competitive by nature and have a versatile legal style. We always seek an amicable outcome among different parties. We’re also prepared and ready to take your case to trial.
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Complimentary Consultations
We strive to create an environment where you feel safe and protected. We recommend starting with a complimentary consultation to review your case together. Evening and weekend consultations are available by appointment only.